The Nipper Junior Development Program is designed to gradually introduce a child to the role of a qualified Surf Life Saver and to a future in patrolling the beaches.
Nippers will undertake various awards, appropriate for the age group and learn many facets of community service involvement. The program is based on participation and not assessed on competence; this means your child must only be actively involved in each of the lessons to gain the award available for different Age Groups.
After the Nippers program members can continue their education and specialise in particular areas of interest which might involve anything from advanced first aid to operation of rescue water craft to personal leadership courses.
They can also continue to be involved in a variety of competition events if desired. They can be taught specialist areas of competition and can compete both at a state and a national level.
In your U14s Nippers you will partake in the Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC). As nippers you have already begun your training to becoming lifesavers and your SRC is the next step on that journey. The SRC is an exciting six-week course that will further your skills and knowledge toward becoming a junior lifesaver at North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club.
Participants not only test their skills in practical learning, but also explore the theoretical side of surf lifesaving, including: safety knowledge and surf awareness. The SRC course generally commences with an Information evening followed by a program including theory and practical sessions.
The candidate is required to complete a 200m swim in five (5) minutes or less in a swimming pool of no less than 25m. To complete the assessment a Nipper must be 13 years of age – anyone in the age group below that has a birthday early in season can train with the group and wait for a later exam if they haven’t turned of age on date of the first exam.