How to Join

Joining Bondi Nippers

JOINING – To be eligible to join Bondi SBLSC Junior Activities (Nippers), children must be five (5) years of age as at the 30th September each year.  Proof of age must be supplied at the time of registration.  A registration form must be completed and witnessed by a parent/guardian.  Under 6′s and Under 7′s do not “surf” as such but do “get wet” in wading and similar events, including those on the beach.  These are FUN activities.  These age groups are not eligible to compete in junior surf carnivals.

Parental assistance is vital and much appreciated.  Courses to assist parents are run by the senior club, Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club.  They are encouraged to be “age managers”, complete their Life Saving Certificate and Bronze Medallion.

The “Nippers” cannot survive without volunteers, be they parents, guardians or friends.  Parents/Guardians are invited to consider helping out and there are many ways they can assist.  We note the children are very enthusiastic when parents/guardians/adults are involved.

 BONDI NIPPERS (U6’s to U14’s)

 Season 2012/13

Dear Nipper Families,

Hard to believe but it’s time to start thinking about Nippers again, with registrations starting at the end of August and the first day of Nippers in October.

This year we will keep you up-to-date with regular e-mails, so please make sure you give us your current e-mail address and advise us if your e-mail changes.  In a similar way, please keep your mobile phone contact number up to date too.

For those who don’t use e-mail, all notes and hard copies of e-mails will be on display on the Nipper noticeboard, just outside the Nipper room inside the clubhouse.

Please read this letter carefully as it explains all you have to do to register both returning and new Nippers for the forthcoming season.

This year, there will be three registration days – Sunday, 26th August  12.30pm – 2.00pm (for returning Nippers & Siblings only), Saturday, 1st September 12.30pm – 2.00pm (for new and returning Nippers) and Sunday, 16th September  12.30pm – 2.00pm (again, new and returning Nippers).

Due to restrictions on numbers, there is no guarantee registrations on all these dates will be accepted.  Numbers in each age group are limited.

Registrations and proficiency swims for all Nippers from U8 to U14’s will be on the same day.  The swims will take place at the Swiss Grand (pool at the gym).

Please go to the Swiss Grand first for the proficiency swim, and then come across to Bondi Surf Club with the signed proficiency form and register.

Credit card facilities for payment are available on the day (Visa or MasterCard only).  We also accept cash or cheques.

As in previous years, all Nipper costumes and other items of clothing will be on sale at registration. The Uniform Shop will also be open every Sunday morning during the Nippers season.

Bonds are again sponsoring Bondi Nippers, and each registered child will be provided with a rash shirt.  These will be distributed once the season commences.

Bondi Nippers will commence at 9 am on Sunday, 14th October 2011 for U8’s to U14’s.

Nippers will start on 21st October for U6 and U7’s (9am).

 

PARENTS ARE TO BECOME INVOLVED AT BONDI NIPPERS

We are continually working to make Bondi Nippers a club where all children feel proud to be a member, where they learn individual and team skills on the beach and in the surf and, above all, where they have a great time each weekend.

To secure your child’s place at Bondi Nippers, a parent or carer must become involved this season.  A Parent Volunteer Policy is enclosed.

The Parent Volunteer form must be handed in with your child’s registration form.  Registrations forms at the time of registration will not be accepted without the volunteer form.

We will be very happy to discuss any of these roles with you on any of the registration days.

 

HOW DO I REGISTER FOR THE 2012/13 SEASON –

Returning Nippers

  1. Go to the Swiss Grand Hotel (Campbell Pde, Bondi), down to the gym for a proficiency swim.  Please bring costume, goggles and swimming cap.

 

  1. After the swim, come across to Bondi Surf Club,  complete all registration forms.  Please highlight any changes to the information on the forms.

 

  1. Children in the U6 and U7’s do not need to do a proficiency swim – come straight to the club to register.

 

  1. Registration Days – Sunday, 26 August  , Saturday, 1st  September or Sunday, 16th September  from 12:30 – 2:00.

 

 

HOW DO I REGISTER FOR THE 2012/13 SEASON –

New Nippers

  1. Come to either of the Registration Days for new nippers (Saturday, 1st September from 12:30 – 2:30 or Sunday, 16th September from 12:30 – 2:00 pm).

 

  1. If your child is born before 30 September 2004, they will need to do a proficiency swim at the Swiss Grand Hotel before coming across to Bondi Surf Club.

 

  1. Proof of age (passport, birth certificate, etc.) is required for all new children.  This must be shown at the time of registration.

FEES FOR THIS SEASON

For returning Nippers, the fee will be $120 for the first child and $60 for each subsequent child.

For new registrations, the fee will be $120 for the first child and $60 for each subsequent child.  We accept cash, cheque or credit card (MasterCard or Visa) – EFTPOS is NOT available.  Bondi Nippers’ costumes and uniform items will be available for sale on registration days.

Bonds are supplying every nipper with a rash shirt, free of charge for the season, although they may not be available until November.

This rash shirt and the coloured Bondi Nippers cap (colour stays with the child throughout every age group) are COMPULSORY for EVERY nippers session.

 

BONDI NIPPER PARENT VOLUNTEER POLICY

Assistance with the running of Nippers, through training, water safety, officiating, coaching, fundraising, BBQ’s and all of our activities is more than welcome -  it is essential!

Without the help of parents, our program simply does not function. Over the last few years, we have seen a sharp decline in the number of parents volunteering their time on Sunday mornings.  We have now had to adopt a new policy, in order to secure a volunteer work force, and continued success of our Nipper program.  This policy has been adopted by a number of clubs in our area which face the same issues we are encountering at Bondi Nippers.

From the start of the 2012/2013 Bondi Nipper season, no child will be registered in our program unless one parent/guardian commits to one of the many positions required every Sunday morning.

Special circumstances will be assessed on an individual basis by the Director of Juniors.

WORKING WITH NIPPERS

Any volunteer, who undertakes the delivery or supervision of Surf Lifesaving activities for Under 18 members (e.g. age managers, team managers, coaches, trainers, assessors, officials, administrators) act under heightened responsibility.

Such roles are responsible positions within SLSA and Bondi SBLSC, and each person acting within these roles must adopt practices to minimise risk and to thus protect both the people they are working with, and themselves.

It is important that risk minimisation measures be adopted to protect people in these roles from any misconceptions about their behaviour in performing their designated roles.

These practices are outlined in SLSA’s Member Safety and Wellbeing policy which can be found at www.slsa.com.au.

It is for this reason that those wishing to assist in select positions and specific duties must become members of Bondi SBLSC & SLSA.

Anyone who is not a member of SLSA may not have any direct involvement in the running or delivery of any lifesaving activity associated with SLSA members under the age of 18.


Age Manager

Age Managers are responsible for the care, safety, wellbeing and development of the junior surf lifesaver. They are responsible for facilitating the development of surf lifesaving skills. Age Managers play a fundamental role in the development of a learning program that encourages and develops young surf lifesavers.

Age Managers:

  • Must be an SLSA and club member;
  • Must attend and complete the SLSA Age Managers Award (a 2 hour course, plus on the beach mentoring/coaching);
  • Agree to abide by the code of conduct;
  • Be responsible for the overall safety and well-being of the group;
  • Be responsible for the group’s learning;
  • Take time to plan and prepare the activities delivered to the group;
  • Foster a collaborative approach to the management of the group;
  • Instil enjoyment and fun in what they do; and
  • Be a positive role model for Nippers and Surf Lifesaving.

Age Helper

The role of parent Age Helpers is critical to our program. Supportive parents provide essential care, education and enthusiasm. A challenge for parents is getting the right balance between disinterest and overbearing involvement, and being able to read their child’s changing support needs. Age Managers are encouraged to provide a full briefing to parents during the season outlining the Age Managers’ expectations in relation to supporting the children and assisting with activities.  The role of the Age helper is to assist the Age Manager in the delivery of the program and supervision of the children.

Age Helpers:

  • Must be an SLSA and club member;
  • Agree to abide by the code of conduct;
  • Work collaboratively with other group managers and helpers;
  • Instil enjoyment and fun in what they do; and
  • Be a positive role model for Nippers and Surf Lifesaving.

Level 1 Surf Sports Official

Surf Sports Officials are responsible for the safe and fair conduct of surf sports events. It is important that Surf Sports Officials recognise that young surf lifesavers have differing needs, and that the main emphasis of surf sports for youth is fun and developmental. Without the participation of official at carnivals, clubs are not permitted to compete.

Officials:

  • Must be an SLSA and club member;
    • Must attend a 2 hour course; and
    • Attend local training/mentoring at 3 club carnivals and one branch carnival.

Surf & Beach Instructors

Our instructors and coaches are essential to the delivery of instruction, training and development of our Nippers program and curriculum.

Coaches and Instructors:

  • Must be an SLSA and club member;
  • Be proficient Bronze medallion holders,
  • Have a background in surf sport and lifesaving, and
  • Ideally have a Surf Sports Level 1 qualification (or related experience).

Water Safety

SLSA regulations dictate that: one water safety member is to be available per five participants; approximately half of the water safety members are to be on rescue craft; and it is desirable that those water safety not on rescue craft wear fins and use rescue tubes or other flotation aids. The Inflatable Rubber Boat is to be in the water where there are 20 or more participants. We encourage anyone interested in water safety to inquire about obtaining their Bronze Medallion.

Water safety:

  • Must be an SLSA and club member; and
  • Be proficient Bronze medallion or Surf Rescue Certificate holder

BBQ Team

The weekly BBQ is the primary source of our fund-raising for Nippers.  Funds are always needed to repair, replace and update the equipment and training gear, and provide education materials for Nippers.  Fundraising also pays for all our social events, and the purchase of trophies and medallions.

We need parents to assist with weekly set-up, pack-down and running of the BBQ, generally from 8.00am – 11.30am on Nipper days.

Depending on age group, commitment to the BBQ team is required 3 – 4 times per season as per season calendar.

Beach Work Party

Help is needed every week, from about 8.00 am onwards, to set up the beach and to ensure that everything is packed away on completion of Nippers.

Beach set-up involves:

  • Placing age group line up assembly markers
  • Taking all boards out of the container and placing them on the beach
  • Setting out the running and flag tracks
  • Setting up tents, tables, sunscreen and water as required
  • Assist with the set-up and pack-down of the beach course and equipment.
  • Assist with the removal and return of all equipment.
  •  Generally an 8:00am start for set-up, and a finish time of 11:30am.

People who volunteer for the BBQ team or Beach Work Party will be placed on a roster.  The number of times you will be rostered on during the season will depend on the number of volunteers we receive for these positions.

Competition Coordinator

Ideally a Bronze Medallion holder and Level 1 surf sport official.

  • Must be a member of the club;
  • To act as Team Manager, for all carnivals;
  • Assist the Program Coordinator, Surf Coach, Age Managers & DOJ with team selections as required;
  • Liaise with Secretary to enter teams in carnivals.
  • Be responsible for competitor and age manager briefings at carnivals; and
  • Be responsible for all logistical, delivery, set-up and pack-down at carnivals.

Assistant Registrar

A volunteer is sought to assist the Nippers’ Registrar during the 2012/13 season, with the view of learning the requirements, processes and systems and to assume the Registrar role for subsequent seasons.

Assistant Registrar involves:

  • Assisting the Registrar with Nipper registration;
  • Helping to maintain the register of all members’ data in Surfguard;
  • Helping to keep an accurate record of all attendances, Club Championships results and other internal activities; and
  • Be available and volunteer for Registrar from 2013/14

All registration and volunteer  forms will be available at the club on the registration dates.