For all junior evaluation distances & forms please see SLSQ Club Management App – Junior Evaluations.
Conducting the evaluation:
Evaluations should be conducted in a;
- Low-risk environment, as determined by the completion of a pre-activity risk assessment.
- All new junior members should be supported by a 1:1 water safety ratio (water safety personnel: activity participant) when completing their evaluation.
- For all returning junior members, where knowledge of their ability is known by the club, a 1:5 water safety ratio (water safety personnel: activity participants) may be used (Refer to SLSA Water Safety Procedure 1.01).
In instances where evaluations cannot be completed, a qualified and accredited swim coach can be endorsed to sign off the skills pool assessment. Swimming coaches are required to provide their Australian Swimming Teachers and Coaches Associate (ASTCA) number, their name and email address and the name of the children who have successfully completed the swim.
Following the evaluation:
Any child that does not meet the required evaluation level will require a higher level of supervision when involved in water-based activities at the discretion of the club.
Any child that does complete the Preliminary Skills Evaluation competently can progress to water based junior activities noting a 1:5 water safety ratio (water safety personnel: activity participants).
For still water / pool activities or low-risk conditions (which have been ascertained after a formal risk assessment) the ratio may be expanded to 1:10 water safety ratio (water safety personnel: activity participants).
A maximum supervision ratio of 1:5 (water safety personnel: activity participants) applies as per SLSA Water Safety Procedure 1.01 to ensure the evaluations are conducted in a safe aquatic environment.
Refer to the SLSA Age Managers Learner Guide and SLSA Water Safety Procedure 1.01 for more information on Junior Preliminary Evaluations.
Junior Beach Evaluation/ Run Swim Run
Nippers must complete a Beach Evaluation/ Run Swim Run in the ocean to assess ability and competency before completing other aquatic activities.
Junior Competition Evaluation
From the age of 7 (Under 8) juniors may begin to compete in inter‐club competition. From the age of 10 (Under 11) juniors can participate in state competitions.
To ensure all junior members who wish to compete have the ability, strength, and fitness standard to complete the course, they must be able to complete the junior competition evaluation for their age group.
The junior competition evaluation is based on the swim competition distances as set out in the current SLSA Australian Surf Sports Manual for that age group and is a standard in the form of an open water swim. Individual branches may have a higher standard for their competition evaluation. Contact your relevant branch office for confirmation.
Before Junior Activities Members can complete the Junior Competition Evaluation, they must complete the Junior Preliminary Skills Evaluation.
For more information on SLSA Surf Sport Competition eligibility and requirements, refer to;
Branch or State Competition Requirements
Any competitor wishing to compete at Branch or State carnivals (water and/or beach events) must have successfully completed:
- Junior Preliminary Evaluation (Including Run/Swim/Run – Beach Evals)
- Junior Competition Evaluation
- Appropriate Surf Education award for their age group prior to the close of entries for their branch titles or the SLSQ State Titles each season.
The above three components must be entered into SurfGuard prior to close of entries. For assistance in uploading this information into SurfGuard please contact the SurfGuard helpdesk on 1300 724 006 or ithelp@slsa.asn.au
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