Water Supervision

Many activities that will be completed by children as part of Junior Activities will be conducted in the water. This section outlines the processes and procedures that have been put in place to ensure all conducted in a safe environment.

Before the commencement of any water-based lifesaving training, a documented risk assessment must be carried out on the selected area. Water safety must be provided for all Junior Activities being conducted in the water.

Additional to regular craft and personnel water safety, it is also a requirement for all competitors to wear hot pink rash vests while competing. More information regarding this can be found in the SLSQ MS13 ‐ High Visibility Clothing Policy. Please also check requirements regarding wearing high‐visibility rash vests during all open water activities with your Branch Junior Activities Chairperson.

In addition to SLSA Policy 1.01—Water Safety, it is requirement of SLSQ for all water-based Junior Activities that there is a MINIMUM of 1 water safety person to 5 participants. Branches may have additional requirements on top of this policy. Please make sure you check with your relevant branch for further details.

All participants and water safety personnel should ‘sign-on’ for their training activity with the age manager, coach, or water safety coordinator keeping a record of attendance (patrol logbooks can be used for this).

Clubs must ensure all water safety officers hold all relevant qualifications prior to taking part in water safety, and that the water safety cover matches the need.

Patrol Hour Accreditation

• Active and Cadet patrolling members rostered to water safety duty may have their hours accredited if the club allows. If the club approves the water safety hours being accredited then this should be minuted at the commencement of the season and the hours performed appropriately logged.
• Other water safety personnel should have their ‘hours’ recorded for acknowledgement at the end of the season presentations and in the club’s annual report.

*Water Safety Supervisor *
As the Water Safety Supervisor, you will be responsible for managing and implementing adequate water safety for all water based activities. This is a key role within a surf life saving club, ensuring the safety of members, in particular during junior activities sessions. You will be overseeing a team of water safety officers and be responsible for completing risk assessments in conjunction with key personnel (e.g. Patrol Captains, Lifeguards, Junior Activities Coordinators, etc.).

Water Safety Personnel

Every surf lifesaving water event requires a dedicated and well-trained team of water safety officials working behind the scenes. As part of the water safety team at an event/activity, you will work closely with officials, water safety supervisors, Junior Activities Coordinators and/or first aid officers to ensure the safety of all members and participants when entering the water.

U6/U7 Water Safety Requirements

The Under 6/7 Activities guidelines have been created to outline the rules and regulations for Clubs to comply with in respect to the safe participation and administration of Under 6/7’s programs.

Individual Clubs may apply additional criteria for the inclusion of Under 6/7’s in Club activities in terms of parental involvement and duty of care. Consideration should also be given to a shorter time on the beach for Under 6/7’s given their attention span and concentration levels.

The following guidelines must be observed:

• All participants in the Under 6 and Under 7 age group must wear a different coloured lifesaving cap during all junior activities sessions. i.e. Fluorescent green or coloured caps that vary from all other age groups for safety reasons.
• Children involved in Under 6/7 Activities can participate in shallow water activities up to knee depth of the participant
• Children can utilise Club foam boogie boards (no hard plastic, rails or fins) in shallow water (broken waves only).
• Under no circumstances are these children to participant in structured competition activities and should only partake in fun social activities.