Nippers Water Proficiencies and Surf Education Awards

Our JAC Team guide Nippers through the SLSA Surf Education levels based on their age and skills. The preliminary water skills assessment is done at the start of each season allow the team to identify kids who may need more support to become confident in water-based activities. Nippers is not a learn to swim programme so new Nippers should already have foundation water awareness and float n swim skills . Readiness to participate in water activities will vary from child to child and is not determined by just their age. We endeavour to support them through fun activities on the beach and by introducing them to shallow water activities until they are ready

Some children will feel nervous and unsure about the proficiency swim at the start of the nippers season because they are in a new situation and may not have had done much swimming and water fun over the winter break Children must do the swim unaided, but support will be nearby. Its not a pass or fail proficiency but done to determine each childs water confidence and readiness so that the JAC team can place each child in an age and skill level group and give more support for those who require it.

In the event your child is unable to complete the requirements at the first session there will be other opportunities to complete proficiency once nippers starts – keep an eye on the Nipper JAC emails for details.

For U8-U14 age groups, if your child does not meet the pool swim and float requirements, they can still be involved but may only take part in beach activities at nippers. Our support team will continue to guide and encourage them until they have developed confidence and water skills. You may also find it helpful to consider some swimming lesssons at a local aquatic centre .

Most of all we give every child the opportunity to grow skills through fun activities and its always great to see even the most timid ones make the most progress over the weeks just by gently having a go.