NIPPERS PROFICIENCY
Proficiency is a safety planning tool to make Nipper Beach Days the best experience it can be for all children, we appreciate that not every child has the same abilities and we aim to provide appropriate options for all members.
For safety and development reasons, all Under 8 – Under 14 junior activity participants (Nippers) must complete a proficiency evaluation prior to being able to participate in any water activity on beach days, training days, or at carnivals.
Please see see below regarding Nipper Proficiencies for U8-U14. There is no proficiency requirement for U6 & U7.
Only financial members for 2025/26 season will be permitted to attempt proficiency. If your child does not appear on the roll, it will be discussed but the child will not be able to swim.
Contact
Nipper president: Troy Blatchford – redheadnipperspresident@gmail.com
Nipper registration: Ann Griffiths – nipperrego@redheadslsc.com.au
Nipper parent registration enquiries: Darren Mitchell – registrar@redheadslsc.com.au
Board Hire enquiries: clarke_nippers@outlook.com
Carnival Entries: Lisa Brown – lisajb75@hotmail.com
Redhead SLSC Nippers Proficiency 2025/26 Season
Pool Proficiency
Date: Saturday 20th September
Time: Beginning 12.30pm
Location: Eastlakes Swim Centre, 9/4 Statham Street, Bennetts Green
Cost: $4 entry fee per child, payable upon entry for swim test.
Please provide each child with the correct amount in coins.
Surf Proficiency
Date: Sunday 21st September
Time: Beginning 1.30pm
Location: Redhead Beach.
Pool Proficiency
Date: Saturday 20th September
Time: Beginning 12.30pm
Location: Eastlakes Swim Centre, 9/4 Statham Street, Bennetts Green
Cost: $4 entry fee per child, payable upon entry for swim test.
Please provide each child with the correct amount in coins
Please see the table below for Preliminary Evaluation (Pool swim) proficiency requirements for each age group.
Requirements
Timetable
Notes:
Please arrive approximately 15 min early and have your child ready to go
If you can’t make your timeslot, don’t stress, just get there when you can, although to streamline the process please make every effort to be there on time
Please be aware due to the volume of children attending and different skill levels, the time could go over the allocations. Every effort will be made to stay on time but every effort will be given to children to complete the assessment. Please be patient with our volunteers as they process all the kids.
Parents are to remain outside and can view the swim from the roller door in carpark.
Children will be taken into the pool in groups by committee members and age managers, with the proficiency undertaken as quickly as possible.
Black Line Cafe onsite will be open for all your caffeine and snack needs!!
Parents of children who are unsuccessful will be notified on the day.
Requirements:
Child will be deemed unsuccessful if they touch or pull on lane ropes.
Child will be unsuccessful if they touch/push off the bottom of the pool mid lap.
Child is permitted to touch the bottom/wall when turning for a new lap in lieu of tumble turn
Swim must be continuous with no extended rest breaks.
U14 members currently undertaking an SRC course are not required to complete this proficiency if they have already completed their SRC swim)
Only children who successfully complete the pool component will be able to participate in Ocean component the following day
Surf Proficiency
Date: Sunday 21st September
Time: Beginning 1.30pm
Location: Redhead Beach
Note:
Location may change due to weather/surf conditions. Changes will be communicated via Teamapp
Only successful pool swimmers can complete this component.
Clothing sales will be on at the same time at the Surf Club. All items will be available including swimmers, caps, pink singlets etc.
If we are at Blacksmiths Beach and a uniform sale session has not yet occurred, we will have loan singlets available for children to use for Proficiency swims.
EACH NIPPER MUST WEAR HI VIS FOR THE OCEAN SWIM. Wetsuits and goggles recommended.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
-
There is a safety requirement set by Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) that all U8 to U14 Nippers be proficient in the water before undertaking any water activities. Successful completion provides the Committee, Age managers and the water safety team with essential information with the planning of our Sunday water activities. It is crucial that all children meet the requirements of their age group to help build their confidence in the surf environment.
-
Children will be given another opportunity to complete the assessment. This will be our only pool swim, so other flat water swims will be held at Valentine Baths, likely on a Tuesday afternoon prior to board training.
Surf swim will be held on a Saturday morning, likely at Blacksmiths beach. Dates and times will be communicated by our volunteers as they have time to run the assessments.
Communications will be primarily through Stack Teamapp. Search for Redhead Nippers and enable notifications. Efforts will be made to communicate through email and text however cannot be guaranteed.
-
Completed proficiency (Prelim/pool swim only for U8, Prelim & Ocean swim for U9-U14) is required for any children who wish to compete in Surf Sports Carnivals, separate to Sunday Nippers. This year for the first time there will be two carnivals which will include the Under 8 age group
Please contact Nipper Club President Troy via email if you have any further questions.