CONTENTS 

INTRODUCTION.. 1

Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club. 1

The Nipper Program.. 1

SUNDAY MORNING.. 3

AGE GROUPS.. 4

Age Group Caps. 4

Age Managers. 4

ATTENDANCE.. 5

BBQ.. 5

BEACH AND WATER SET-UP/PACK-UP.. 6

BEACH EVENTS.. 6

BOARDS.. 6

CARNIVALS.. 7

CARNIVAL EVENTS.. 7

CHILD PROTECTION.. 8

CLOTHING.. 8

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS.. 8

COACHING AND MENTORING.. 8

CODE OF CONDUCT. 9

DEVELOPMENT CAMPS.. 9

E-MAIL AND WEB SITE.. 10

FUNDRAISING.. 10

LIFE SAVING AWARDS.. 10

NIPPER EVENTS.. 11

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT. 12

PARTICIPATION.. 13

PROFICIENCY. 13

SURF RACE.. 14

TRAINING.. 14

WATER EVENTS.. 15

WATER SAFETY. 15

BONDI NIPPERS CALENDAR – 2011/2012. 16

COMMITTEE – EXECUTIVE AND GENERAL. 18

INTRODUCTION 

Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club

The Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club is officially recognised as the oldest surf lifesaving club in the world. It is an Australian icon and holds an indelible position in Australian history. The primary objective of surf lifesaving was – and is – to protect the swimmers who frequent our beaches through manned patrols and associated services.

The Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club was established on the 21st February 1907 at theRoyalHotelBondiBeachby a group of like-minded bathers. There was little need for surf lifesaving clubs much before this time as it was illegal to swim in the surf during daylight hours before 1902. It was seen as immoral, and men and women could only ‘bathe’ in the early morning and late evening, and never at the same time!

The club was responsible for introducing surf lifesaving toAustraliaand pioneered the famous surf reel and line.

The moment that thrust Bondi and surf lifesaving into the public arena was Sunday 6th February 1938. Thirty-one years after the club was founded, Bondi members performed over 300 rescues after hundreds of swimmers were swept out to sea by a series of large waves. At the end of the day five lives were lost and the occasion was forever etched into Australian history as ‘Black Sunday’.

Other important milestones in the Club’s history include the development and introduction of duty rosters, test swims and the Bronze Medallion, which is still the basic qualification for lifesavers to this day.

Bondi leads the country in the number of rescues performed and is more committed than ever to providing the highest quality of voluntary community service. We are at the forefront of new technology in the lifesaving field including inflatable rescue boats, jet ski rescue craft and automatic external defibrillators. 

The Nipper Program

Nippers is a way of introducing children to surf lifesaving, and is open to children from the age of 5 through to 14.  Nippers actually began as a way of attracting young members into the surf club.  In November 1965, the Bondi Life Boys was formed.  The idea was to offer basic surf lifesaving training as a way of educating and involving young boys in surf lifesaving

In 1977, the junior club created a ‘Life Girls’ section (also known as Nipperettes).  About 40 girls joined in the Sunday morning activities during the first season.

Nippers provides a fun way for children to enjoy the beach in a safe environment.  It is also educational as the children participate in the SLSA Junior Development Program, a sequential program of skills and surf understanding.

SLSA recognises ‘the juniors of today are the future of surf life saving.’  SLSA has close to 140,000 members withinAustraliaand almost 50,000 are nippers (40% of total membership).

Surf life saving is an amazing activity for developing a child’s confidence, knowledge and skills in the beach environment. Not only will your child have fun and meet new friends they will become part of an iconic organisation that has served the Australian community for over 100 years.

We have tried to include the everyday things you need to know about Bondi Nippers in this booklet.  Please keep it as a handy reference guide.  If you require any further information, please feel free to ask any Age Manager or Committee member.

Assistance with the training and activities is more than welcome, it is needed!  Please assist your Age Manager in any way you feel comfortable (water safety, starting events, marking lines, keeping score, etc).  Your age group will be rostered for occasional BBQ duties.  These are vital to our activities so please make yourself available when advised.  A parent or caregiver must be present on the beach throughout Nippers in case of accident.  We cannot, and do not, provide a childcare service.

Our objective at Bondi is to educate the children to be competent and safe in the beach/surf environment.  Surf knowledge and techniques are gradually introduced to the children commensurate with their age and ability.

Whilst all children are encouraged to improve their surf skills through regular competition, no child is forced to do something they are not comfortable with.  Our aim at Bondi Nippers is for the children to have fun and to enjoy coming to the beach each week.

All this information is current at the time of printing, things do change and we ask you to bear this in mind when reading this booklet.  Any changes to dates or routines will be advised as they are known.  Conversely, we ask you advise us of any changes to your e-mail address.  Nippers newsletters are also an important way to stay informed of what is happening; these will be e-mailed (hard copy will be pinned on Nippers notice-board in clubhouse).

Nippers offers a safe, friendly and welcoming environment for you and your child.  Our focus is on having fun, teaching and enhancing skills, and emphasising community awareness.  The Nipper program provides for competition, education and recreation.

We welcome you to Bondi Nippers.

SUNDAY MORNING

• Nippers assemble at 9:00 am in the Clubhouse.  Children should assemble in their age groups in the Surf Club so that Age Managers can mark the roll and the session can commence on time.

• Nippers is always on – rain, hail or shine.  Activities are amended for bad weather days.

• Announcements and important information for Nippers and parents is communicated at the start of the day.

• Please be on time and listen to announcements so that you are aware and up-to-date with all matters concerning your children.

• Children must wear their Bondi Nippers age group cap.  It is recommended that children also wear their club rash vest (given to each Nipper courtesy of Bonds).  It is important you label all clothing.

• Children should have sunscreen applied prior to the commencement of Nippers.  Sunscreen is available in the club or at the BBQ area.

• Under the control of their Age Managers, children then take part in fun on the beach and in the water.

• Scheduled activities are noted on the Season Calendar but are subject to change, depending on beach conditions.

• Nippers has senior members and coaches who will assist in the conduct and training of events.  Participation is not mandatory but children are encouraged and supported to participate to their potential.

• During Nippers, a parent or guardian is required to be at the beach at all times.  Nippers is not a child-minding service.

• At the conclusion of the day’s events, parents must mark their child/children off the roll.  Once a Nipper is with their parent, they must remove their Nipper cap so we know they are now under parental supervision.

AGE GROUPS

Nippers is divided into nine age groups, ranging from Under 6’s (U6) through to Under 14’s (U14).  The age group is determined by the child’s age at midnight on 30 September each year.

Refer to Age Group Table below for details. 

Age Group Caps

At Bondi Nippers, each age group has a different coloured cap.  A colour is allocated to Under 6’s, and this colour stays with the group as they progress through Nippers.  This is done as an easy way to identify the different groups and makes it easier to locate a particular group on the beach.

One side of the cap is coloured, according to the age (see below for colours for this year). The other side is the Bondi club colours, blue and white, and is worn during inter-club competitions.

Club caps must be worn at all times during Nippers’ activities.  All children must wear the club cap during events.  They must finish all events with the cap on the head and tied under the chin – otherwise, they can be disqualified at carnivals.  Caps are worn for safety reasons so children can be seen in the water and differentiated from Water Safety officials and others who may be having a casual swim. 

Age Managers

Age Managers are generally volunteer parents of Nipper children.  Age managers are assigned to a particular age group for the year.  They are responsible for organising the children in the group each Sunday morning.

The role and responsibilities of Age Managers are as follows:

• encourage the children to participate, compete and enjoy the Nippers activities;
• keep weekly records of attendance and achievements for each child;
• organise the children in their group at carnivals;
• assist in the development of surf awareness and surf safety;
• keep children and parents informed of age group requirements, and of Club activities, carnivals, etc.

Age Managers are not babysitters.

Age Managers are the first point of contact if you have any questions or concerns.

AGE GROUP TABLE – 2011/12 SEASON
Age	Cap		Manager/s
U6 1 Oct 05 – 30 Sep 06	Aqua		TBA
U7 1 Oct 04 – 30 Sep 05	Maroon		TBA
U8 1 Oct 03 – 30 Sep 04	Yellow		Kim Gencher Linda Mead
U9 1 Oct 02 – 30 Sep 03	Lime		Alex Porebski Shane McKendry
U10 1 Oct 01 – 30 Sep 02	Blue		Steve Hackers Margaret Douglas
U11 1 Oct 00 – 30 Sep 01	Red		Vicki Weetman Russell King Shaun Jenkinson
U12 1 Oct 99 – 30 Sep 00	Brown		Pat Vanderham
U13 1 Oct 98 – 30 Sep 99	White		Margaret Markham Matt Markham Grant Ashton
U14 1 Oct 97 – 30 Sep 98	Purple		Moray Vincent Joe Hallit

ATTENDANCE

Children must have their name marked on and off with their age manager each week.

Awards are given at the end of the season to all children who have attended 90% or more Sunday mornings (including inter-club activities).

BBQ

The weekly BBQ is the primary source of fund raising for Nippers.  Funds are always needed to repair, replace and update the equipment and training gear for Nippers.  Fundraising also pays for the annual Christmas party and the purchase of trophies and medallions.

Each age group is required to complete their roster on the BBQ.  Each age group is usually only rostered onto the BBQ twice per season.

However, even if it is not your rostered week and you see that the BBQ workers need assistance, please help if you can.

Refer to the Nippers’ calendar for the BBQ roster.

BEACH AND WATER SET-UP/PACK-UP

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

To assist in this important task, please see the beach organisers, Michael Douglas or Shaun Jenkinson.

Refer to the Nippers calendar for the Beach set-up and pack-up roster.

BEACH EVENTS

Beach events include:

• Beach races – running over a set distance on the sand,

• Flags – lying flat on the sand, then getting up and running a short distance to grasp lengths of hose standing in the sand.  The event is run over a number of rounds with a child eliminated each round until there is an eventual winner.

• Beach relays – teams of four run a relay over similar distances to the beach races,

• Surf wade – running through shallow water around a heavily supervised course (usually for younger age groups).

 BOARDS

Nippers has a range of boards suitable for all levels of expertise.  There are even some small boogie boards for the U6’s and U7’s to develop their skills.

U8 – U10s use 2m long foam boards; U 11 – U13s use 2m long fibreglass boards and U14s use a Malibu fibreglass board, 3.2m in length.

U8s do not compete at external carnivals on boards; all other age groups must use the boards, as specified above. 

CARNIVALS

Bondi is a member of Sydney Branch, and the Board of Junior Development conducts carnivals during the season for U8’s and above.

These carnivals are competitions between the different surf clubs.

Not all children wish to compete in carnivals and being a good lifesaver does not depend on carnival participation.  However, for the majority of children, participation can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

We encourage all Nippers to represent the Bondi Club.  We take pride in our teams and enter as many teams as possible.  Carnivals are fun and engender great team spirit.

Bondi participates in the Waverley Shield (a local carnival betweenNorth Bondi, Bondi, Tamarama and Bronte).

Bondi also participates in the Sydney Branch Age Surf Life Saving Championships, along with 14 other clubs.

The culmination of these carnivals is the NSW Junior State Championships, which will be held at Kingscliff this year. Nippers may also compete in other carnivals and events with the Club’s permission.  Details of these will be provided. 

CARNIVAL EVENTS

Competition events for Carnivals include:

• U8: individual sprint, beach flags, wade race, sprint relay, wade relay.

• U9 and U10: sprint, beach flags, sprint relay, surf swim, board race, swim teams, board relay;

• U11 and up:  sprint, beach flags, sprint relay, surf swim, board race, swim teams, board relay, board rescue, Cameron relay, Iron Man/Iron Woman.

At all carnivals, competitors wear the Bondi club cap and Bondi swimming costume.

All competitors in beach and water events must have passed their competition proficiency in swimming to be eligible to compete in events at carnivals, including beach events.

Children’s attendance at the Waverley Shield counts towards attendance awards.

CHILD PROTECTION

Every adult who is in direct contact with children is required to complete a Prohibited Persons Declaration Form.  These forms are available from the Club.  This is a mandatory requirement legislated by NSW law to ensure the protection of all children.

Should there be a concern on this matter, then the concern should be immediately addressed to either Mike Gencher or Wendy Goldman.

CLOTHING

Club swimwear, nipper caps and other clothing is available for sale at the club on Registration Days.  Items will also be sold every Sunday morning before Nippers starts. 

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

There are three Club Championship days per season.  The combined total of results from these three days determines the top three placegetters in each age group (U8 and above).  There is always a boy champion and a girl champion in each age group.

To be eligible for a Club Championship award, children must attend more than 51% of the season. Children must be proficient to be eligible for Club Championship awards.

Children attending on Club Championship days only will be ineligible for awards. 

COACHING AND MENTORING

Nippers is a way of introducing children to surf lifesaving and provides a pathway to both surf competition and community service through lifesaving patrols. Nippers also aims to teach children to be competent and safe in the beach/surf environment.

To achieve our goals, we are constantly looking at ways to improve the children’s skills. There are many talented lifesavers in the Bondi Club and, this year, they will assist in the teaching, coaching and mentoring in their area/s of specialisation.

This approach is designed to release age managers from being ‘experts in all fields’ to concentrate on their management role more effectively.

CODE OF CONDUCT

Nippers’ Code of Conduct

• participate to enjoy the activities
• follow the rules
• control your temper and be a good sport
• treat others as you would like to be treated
• listen to your Age Manager, Water Safety and mates
• remember it is your aim to have fun and improve your ability
• respect the rights, dignity and worth of others regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.

Parents’ Code of Conduct

• do not make an unwilling child participate in activities
• children are involved in activities for their benefit – not yours
• encourage children to play by the rules
• encourage the effort being as important as the result
• work towards improving skills and sportsmanship
• recognise and encourage good efforts
• do not yell or abuse a child for making a mistake – they are trying as hard as they can
• do not publicly question an official’s decision
• recognise the efforts of volunteers
• respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.

DEVELOPMENT CAMPS

Each year, selected U11 and U13 children participate in an age Development Camp conducted by Surf Life Saving Sydney.  Children are selected for these camps not on their ability but on their attitude.  Age managers look at their approach, enthusiasm, willingness to be part of a team, participation, attendance and other positive attributes.

The camp for U13 is in December whilst the U11 camp is at the beginning of February.  Both camps are atDeer Parkin theRoyalNational Park.

E-MAIL AND WEB SITE

E-mail is an effective way of communicating with a large number of people.  We intend to communicate this way with our members and, for this reason, we ask that you provide us with a current e-mail address and advise us if your e-mail address changes.

For those who do not 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.

The Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club web site is www.bondisurfclub.com. This handbook and the calendar for the current season can be downloaded from this site.

FUNDRAISING

At Bondi Nippers, we try to keep the prices for membership and clothing as low as possible.  For this reason, we rely on our weekly fundraising to raise much needed funds.  The weekly BBQ is the primary source of fund raising for Nippers.

Funds are always needed to repair, replace and update the equipment and training gear for Nippers.  Fundraising also pays for the annual Christmas party and the purchase of trophies and medallions.

LIFE SAVING AWARDS (JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT AWARDS)

Surf Life Saving Australia has developed a comprehensive training programme for Nippers.  The content is tailored to each age group, and the program is based on participatory evaluation and not assessed on competence.  In other words, children need only be actively involved in each of the lessons to be eligible for the award.  Again, the emphasis is on fun.

Surf Play 1 and 2 (U6 and U7) – focus on play, participation and fun.  Simple beach safety and awareness lessons such as basic safety practices during activities, what makes up a beach environment, sunsmart guidelines, the importance of being with an adult at the beach, what a lifesaver is and what they do.  Surf sports skills involve wading, beach sprinting and beach flags.

Surf Aware 1 (U8) – focus is on understanding, identifying and demonstrating sunsmart guidelines and dangers that relate to themselves, as well as what it means to feel safe.  They learn to recognise whether they are, or someone else is, in an emergency situation and how to get help.  Ecosurf discusses the beach environment and communities surf lifesavers operate in.  Surf sports skills focus on bodyboarding, wading, dolphin-diving, beach sprint starts and beach flag starts.

Surf Aware 2 (U9) – builds on Surf Aware 1.  The idea of a personal safety network is introduced so children are comfortable asking for help.  Children are given safety tips and learn more about hazardous surf conditions.  Ecosurf talks about the impact surf lifesavers can have on the beach. Surf sports skills focus on board positioning and paddling, sand running technique and diving for a beach flag.

Surf Safe 1 (U10) – identification of adults at surf clubs they can ask to help.  The Ecosurf focus is on water conservation and sun safety and the consequences of skin damage.  Children learn about rips, recognising unsafe behaviours and relating these areas to preventative actions.  Rescue techniques are introduced and children learn to use boards to assist other swimmers.  Surf sports skills focus on entering and negotiating the surf on a board and beach relay baton changes.

Surf Safe 2 (U11) – at this level, children have the ability to learn more technical aspects of lifesaving and are able to be more physical in surf sports skills.  Children are encouraged to persist when needing help.  there is a strong focus on recognising ‘at risk’ people .  Interpersonal and beach signage communication is introduced.  Surf sports skills focus on board dismounts, catching waves on a board, board relay, surf swimming techniques and crouching beach sprint starts.

Surf Smart 1 (U12) – children learn about their rights and responsibilities as members of SLSA, and consider personal health and wellbeing.  More beach signals are introduced, and the use of these in the context of beach rescues is considered.  Board rescues are undertaken.  The focus of surf sports skills is to complete all the skills in each skill set and includes rolling under a wave on a board, diving under large waves, beach sprint arm and leg drive, and beach flags race strategies.

Surf Smart 2 (U13) – looks more broadly at surf lifesaving safety from various viewpoints – SLSA member safety and wellbeing, climate change and the impact on surf lifesaving, communicating with beach users, other professional emergency services and surf safety tips.  The focus of surf sports skills is on bringing all the skills learnt in previous awards together to participate in an event for each of the disciplines:  board race, board rescue, surf race, run-swim-run, beach sprint, beach relay, beach flags, ironman / ironwoman and cameron relay.

SRC (U14) – Surf Rescue Certificate – This provides a good background and preparation for the Bronze Medallion, which can be obtained at age 15. This is the last year of structured junior activities and the first where Nippers can start to participate in regular surf lifesaving activities – patrols, open carnivals.

The SRC comprises a number of skills and knowledge lessons.  The theory component of the SRC training is run during the week, and the practical sessions on Sunday morning.

For more information on SRC, please see Michael Gencher.

NIPPER EVENTS

These can be divided into two groups – beach events and water events.  Not every event is completed each week.  Weekly training leads up to these events, some of which are carnival events.

Beach events include:

• Beach races – running over a set distance on the sand,

• Flags – lying flat on the sand, then getting up and running a short distance to grasp lengths of hose standing in the sand. The event is run over a number of rounds with a child eliminated each round until there is an eventual winner.

• Beach relays – teams of four run a relay over similar distances to the beach races,

• Surf wade – running through shallow water around a heavily supervised course (usually for younger age groups).

Water events include:

• Surf swim – swimming from the beach, around a string of buoys and back to the beach,

• Board race – similar to the surf swim, but paddling boards around the course,

• Run-Swim-Run – a race combining two sprints along the beach, separated by a swim leg,

• Iron Man/Iron Woman – a race involving running on the sand, swimming and paddling a board around a set course,

• Board relay – a team of three paddle their boards in turn around the course,

• Cameron relay – a four person relay involving a surf swim, board race and two beach sprints,

• Board rescue – a two person team.  The swimmer swims to a designated buoy and is then ‘rescued’ by the board paddler.  Both Nippers must then paddle back to shore on the same board.

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

Volunteers are always needed to ensure the Nippers’ morning runs efficiently and safely.  Assistance is required from parents in setting up events (such as flags), to act as judges in events, and to help co-ordinate the movement of the age group.  To assist in any way, parents must be members – please see Wendy Goldman for details.

Water safety is another area where there can never be too many people.  For insurance purposes, parents who assist on the beach or in the water must be financial club members.  Water Safety Officers must have a (Surf) Bronze Medallion, be proficient, and have signed on at the patrol.

Officials are also needed at carnivals as starters, judges, beach flag set up and recorders.  To help at carnivals in these areas, you need a Level 1 Officials Accreditation Certificate.  Dates of courses will be provided during the season.

There are also several specific jobs for which volunteers are required – please see Wendy Goldman or Narelle Moore for more details.

PARTICIPATION

The focus of Bondi Nippers is for the children to learn and have fun.  We encourage the children to participate at a level to which they feel comfortable.

Participation is regarded as the successful completion of a beach or water event.

Major trophies are awarded to the children who participate in the most events over the season.

PROFICIENCY

There are two types of proficiency requirements – one to be able to participate in regular Sunday activities (known as Preliminary Skills Evaluation), and one for Carnival activities (Competition Skills Evaluation).  These minimum requirements have been set by SLSA in order to maintain safety and life saving standards.

 

Except for the U14’s, there are no time requirements on the Preliminary Skills Evaluation swims.

Every junior member is required to participate in the Preliminary Skills Evaluation, conducted by the club, prior to any junior water activity training or competition being undertaken.

The Competition Skills Evaluation must be achieved before being eligible to compete at carnivals.  This includes beach competitors.

To compete at a Championship event, Nippers must also need to have completed and achieved the appropriate Surf Education Award for their age by 31 December.

The Preliminary Skills Evaluation will take place on at the beginning of the season at the Icebergs Pool. Nippers who are unsuccessful at their first attempt are encouraged to try again at a later opportunity.

The Competition Skills Evaluation is an open water swim (beach swim) and will take place at a date to be determined.

The Preliminary Skills Evaluation and Competition Skills Evaluation will be supervised by an accredited SLSA assessor who may be assisted by club officials.

SURF RACE

At 11:00 each Sunday, the Club holds a surf race. This race is handicapped and is conducted in three parts: A grade adults, B grade adults, and cadets and juniors.

Nippers are encouraged to swim in the club surf race within the cadets and juniors category. This activity will be supported by water safety officers.

WATER EVENTS

Water events include:

• Surf swim – swimming from the beach, around a string of buoys and back to the beach,

• Board race – similar to the surf swim, but paddling boards around the course,

• Run-Swim-Run – a race combining two sprints along the beach, separated by a swim leg,

• Iron Man/Iron Woman – a race involving running on the sand, swimming and paddling a board around a set course,

• Board relay – a team of three paddle their boards in turn around the course,

• Cameron relay – a four person relay involving a surf swim, board race and two beach sprints,

• Board rescue – a two-person team.  The swimmer swims to a designated buoy and is then ‘rescued’ by the board paddler.  Both Nippers must then paddle back to shore on the same board. 

WATER SAFETY

The Water Manager will liaise with the Bondi Council Lifeguards and Patrol Captain each Sunday and decide if the surf conditions are suitable to conduct activities.  If conditions become unsafe, activities will be stopped.

The guidelines for water safety are laid down by SLSA and must be adhered to by all.  The IRB (Inflatable Rescue Boat) is present during all water events.  No race or activity will commence unless there sufficient water safety personnel.

Water Safety Officers must be suitably qualified (Bronze Medallion or SRC), and a minimum ratio of Water Safety Officers to Nippers applies.

Water Safety Officers wear red and yellow caps (as worn by patrol members) and yellow rash vests during water activities.  Bronze Medallion Water Safety Officers must sign into the Patrol Log Book.  Nipper water safety time counts toward Bondi’s patrol hours.

COMMITTEE – EXECUTIVE AND GENERAL

Director of Juniors	Michael Gencher	0408 602 056
Assistant Chairman	Tom Riley
Secretary	Wendy Goldman	0411 558 369
Registrar	Juli Owen
Social Secretary	Narelle Moore
Treasurer	Peter Cooper
Program Coordinator	Scott Ryan
Surf Coach	Chris Lorang
Water Manager
IRB Manager	Gwynn Owen
Competition Manager
Gear Steward /Beach Organiser	Michael Douglas / Shaun Jenkinson