Brighton Surf Lifesaving Club adheres to the guidelines set out of Surf Lifesaving Australia which sets out requirements for but not limited to water cover ratios, water safety assessments, providing first aid facilities and maintaining safe equipment.
Age Group Managers are responsible for organising and conducting the various Nipper activities. They have undertaken training and accreditation to do this role and most of our AGM's are parents/carers of our nippers and volunteer their time.
Any adult wishing to assist with the running of Nippers is asked to review the following guideline as to whether their role is required to hold a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC). Please see our Junior Secretary if you wish to obtain one (which is free to the club). BSLSC have two Child Protection officers, see contacts at the end of this booklet for contact details.
A parent/ carer must remain on the beach and assist the Age Group Managers when requested and as required (except where a parent(s) is involved as an Age Group Manager with another group, is on General Life Saving Patrol or is participating in another Active Member role).
If you must leave before events are finished, please inform your child’s Age Manager to ensure their name is marked from the roll BEFORE taking your child from the beach.
As parents, you have a clear responsibility to act in a constructive and encouraging manner at all times. ANYTHING OTHER THAN CONSTRUCTIVE SUPPORT MAY RESULT IN THE MEMBERSHIP BEING CANCELLED FOR ALL OFFENDING MEMBERS.
It should be assumed that Nippers will take place each scheduled week no matter the weather. At the start of the day the Junior President and the Patrol Captain will discuss the environmental and surf conditions and carry out a Risk Assessment for all planned water activities. If the beach is closed or conditions are unsuitable for the day’s activities alternate activities will be organised. The Patrol Captain or Junior President (JP) may cease any activity if conditions become unsafe. The decision of the Patrol Captain or JP shall be final.
Dangerous conditions will include:
Nippers is Still On – We're Just Adapting Like Always!
At Brighton Surf Life Saving Club, the safety of our Nippers has always been our top priority. Over the years, we’ve become experts at adjusting to changing beach conditions – and this season, the algal bloom in South Australia is just another factor we’re keeping an eye on.
But the most important thing? NIPPERS IS STILL GOING AHEAD!
Before every session, our team works closely with Beach Patrol to assess the day’s conditions. This now includes monitoring the algal bloom and following the latest guidance from Surf Life Saving South Australia. For up-to-date information, you can check out their Algal Bloom webpage here.
If the beach is ever deemed unsuitable for water-based activities, don’t worry – we have plenty of fun and educational alternatives ready to go! Surf lifesaving is about much more than just getting in the water. From beach games, flags, and running, to CPR, team building, and community activities, we’ll make sure every session continues to build the fun, friendships, and spirit that make being part of Brighton SLSC so special.
At ambient temperatures greater than or equal to 37°C there is extreme risk of heat injury to all children and adolescents participating in outdoor activities. Events and activities involving children and adolescents that are conducted or scheduled for times that are likely to present these conditions will be rescheduled or cancelled.
If, on the Friday prior to a regular Saturday Nipper session, the Bureau of Meteorology website forecasts that the temperature at Glenelg will be 37°C or higher, Nipper training may be rescheduled to 9.00am -11.00am. This reschedule of training may also include a reduced timeline, extra hydration breaks and the emphasis on water-based activities depending on the conditions on the day.
We will endeavour to advise members by TeamApp on the Friday before Saturday Nipper Training if rescheduling of Nipper training time is required.
Weeknight training which commences at 6:00pm will not be cancelled due to hot weather, however Age Group Managers may need to alter activities to suit the conditions.
Nippers are required to achieve a preliminary proficiency evaluation before they can participate in Nipper training activities, the preliminary assessments are as follows:
Furthermore, Nippers wishing to participate in carnivals are required to achieve a competition proficiency evaluation as follows:
This is a compulsory requirement for Surf Lifesaving Australia and is therefore non-negotiable. The AGMs will conduct proficiency assessments in the first few weeks of the season and whenever a new nipper joins the squad.
Surf Life Saving Australia recommends following the “Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek , Slide” guidelines
It is expected that all Nippers follow these guidelines at Nipper activities.
