Frequently Asked Questions

My child is 12 today (born 5 October), what age group will he be in?
Age group determination is based on the age they are as at 30 September – if your child was 11 on 30 September (turned 12 on 5 October) and therefore is classed as being in the U12. age group (even though they are 12). A child who has their 12th birthday on 30 July would be
placed in the U13 age group.

Does my child change age groups if their birthday is during a season?
No. The age group for children is determined by their age as at midnight 30 September i.e. if a child turns 8 on 30 September, they would be in U9s for that season. If a child turns 8 on 1 October, they would be in U8s for that season.

What age can my child start nippers?
A child may join nippers as soon as they turn 5 years of age. No club is to accept membership of a child until they have reached the age of five years to comply with insurance requirements. A child who reached 5 years of age after the 30th of September may join nippers at that time for the
remainder of the season; however, this child will be required to stay in the u6 age group again the following season. It is the club’s responsibility to explain this to the parents of the child. Note: Proof of age must be sighted for all new children joining a club.

My child’s friend’s birthday puts him in different age group, and they want to be together.
There are various reasons children may move up or down an age group, i.e., competency, ability, and social situations.

Moving down an age group
If a child moves down an age group they are not permitted to compete in that age group and they will only gain the age award for the lower age group. Nippers who move down an age group are still required to complete the junior evaluations of their
registered age.

Moving up an age group
Children are permitted to move up 1 age group and they are unable to compete in the higher age group. The child will need to complete the junior evaluations for the higher age group, and they will gain the age award of the higher age group not their registered age group.

How often do I bring my child to the beach?
Most nipper programs are conducted on a Sunday morning, however some clubs run their programs on a Saturday morning.
Many clubs also have specialised mid-week training sessions for board, swim, and beach. Please check with your club to find out days and times.

What does my child need?
Bathers/togs, a club cap, water bottle, long sleeved t-shirt or long-sleeved rash top, sun hat, a towel and sunscreen. It is also mandatory for all nippers to wear a high visibility rash vest. Most clubs have stocks of club-branded apparel – speak to the relevant club person for prices etc.
Note: For all Surf Life Saving Clubs north of Agnes Water SLSC (Gladstone region), nippers are required to wear a stinger suit.

What do children in Surf Life Saving do?
Depending on their age group, children will cover beach sprints and flags, swimming, board paddling, wading, basic CPR/ first aid skills, junior development and lots of fun activities. They will also learn surf lifesaving skills, surf awareness, and intrinsically develop personal and
emotional skills.

How does surf lifesaving provide a safe environment for my child?
With safety being a core value at SLSQ, we are serious about providing a safe environment for our Nippers. We aim to provide children and young people with positive and nurturing experiences while involved in our activities and programs. Our clubs have clear strategies to ensure your child remains safe on and off the beach. Our volunteers must satisfy Working with Children Checks in addition to abiding by a Code of Conduct, which guides the care of your child. For more information, ask your club about their Statement of Commitment to Children and Young people. Surf Life Saving Queensland has an endorsed Sun Safe policy in place, and through our education curriculum and training programs, we teach children to be beach safe and water safe.

Junior Awards – what are these for my child?
Each age group has sessions they participate in to acquire relevant skills and knowledge. They will need to attend and participate in all the compulsory sessions to attain the age award. They must also complete the preliminary pool and beach evaluation to obtain their Junior Age award.

Does my child have to be able to swim?
Yes, each age group has specific requirements for swimming ability. All children will complete a pool evaluation which clubs conduct prior to the start of the nipper season. This is carried out before participating in any Junior Activities session to assess their swimming and self-survival ability in the
water. This will determine whether they can progress to Junior Activities without additional water safety supervision. They will then be required to complete a beach evaluation (run-swim-run). The next step is for them to complete the competition evaluation consisting of an ocean water swim. This allows them to compete at inter-club carnivals. Only those who wish to compete are required to complete the competition evaluation.

Is this a “learn to swim” program?
NO. Although your child will benefit enormously and increase their confidence from exposure to open water-based activities, including swimming and board paddling, we do not provide specific learn-to swim training or stroke correction. This is strongly encouraged to be taken up externally.

What can I do to help?
Parents can become involved in many areas of club activity. Areas can include helping with training, coaching, being a team manager, officiating, fundraising, providing water safety (if you gain your Surf Rescue Certificate or Bronze Medallion), cooking the club BBQ etc., but most of all supporting your child in their Junior Activities journey.

What happens when my child finishes all the various Junior Activities age groups and awards?
The Junior Development Program is designed to gradually introduce your child into the role of a qualified surf lifesaver and assist in patrolling the beaches. They can continue to be involved in a variety of competition events if desired. They will undertake various other awards and learn many
facets of community service involvement. They can be taught specialist areas of competition and compete both at a state and national level. Clubs are also encouraged to conduct development and bridging programs to assist with transitioning to the senior club. Contact your club’s Youth Development Officer for more information.

What equipment can my child use?
Nippers have access to a range of age-appropriate equipment, as nippers progress through the age groups the equipment will change to suit the needs of the age group lessons.

• U6/7 – Boogie boards
• U8/9/10 – Foam Nipper Paddle Boards
• U11/12/13 – Fiberglass Nipper Paddle Boards
• U14 – Long Mal Paddle Board
  

For a full breakdown of what boards specs, please refer to the SLSQ Junior Board Guide.

Must I join a club as a parent?
It is to the club’s discretion whether a parent of a junior member must also join. It is recommended. by SLSQ that as a minimum, parent’s join as an Associate Member of the club.

Where can the Junior Activities Preliminary Evaluation take place?
These can take place in the ocean, rock pool, or local indoor/outdoor swimming pool.

%(marker-green)*What happens when a child does not pass the Junior Activities Preliminary Evaluation?* %
Any child that does not meet the required preliminary evaluation level will require a higher level of supervision when involved in water-based activities (at the discretion of the club). E.g., if you have a nipper who doesn’t meet the requirements for the propulsion component of the evaluation, you will need to ensure that this child was provided with additional water safety when completing in-water activities. You may also wish to have this child wear a coloured wristband so they can be easily identified. Remember that this is not a Skills Maintenance/Proficiency, but an evaluation of competency.

Can children wear goggles and a wetsuit?
Of course! They can wear a wetsuit and goggles anytime they wish. Please note that during competition, a wetsuit can only be worn if the water temperature drops below 16 degrees. Goggles are permitted to be worn in the water at any time. Refer to the Surf Sport Manual – 37th Edition for
further information.

How do I become an Age Manager Assistant?
Age Manager Assistants are a vital component on the beach in assisting Age Managers each week. Age Manager Assistants can join from 13 years of age and upon completion of the online component of the Age Manager course prior to taking on the role of Age Manager Assistant.