Nippers Preliminary swims
A second preliminary swim session has been scheduled for 18th October, from 8am-10am at Malabar beach. Please check the WhatsApp announcement for details. This session is only for those who were unable to attend Des Renford on 14th September.
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All Age Groups are to attend. Please register your presence for the day at the registration booth near the pool.
- Estimated attendance time should be no longer than 30 minutes (depending on numbers at the time of attendance)
- No bookings are required. Turn up at a time that suits you.
- Please bring Swim Costumes, towel, goggles and a rubber swim cap.
- No other dates will be set for closed pool sessions this season.
- If unable to attend, we may run some Swims in open and/or flatwater conditions prior to the start of Nippers Activities
ANY NIPPERS (NEW OR RETURNING) WHO HAS COMPLETED THEIR PRELIMINARY SWIM YET FOR 2025-26 SEASON: we will organise for the outstanding swims to be completed in the first weekends of the new season (from 19th October).
Preliminary swim evaluation
Before a child can participate in any Nippers event, they must complete the Preliminary Skills Evaluation. This is to evaluate their ability in the water.
All Nippers must complete their relevant age group proficiency swim each year, so that they are evaluated on their ability in the water.
Note: It is not an assessment that, if not completed competently, precludes the child from participating in water activities. Any child who does not meet the required evaluation level will require a higher level of supervision when involved in water-based activities.
Evaluations
- Evaluations are conducted in a low-risk environment, as determined by a completion of a pre-activity risk assessment.
- All new junior members are supported by a 1:1 water safety ratio (water safety personnel: activity participant) when completing their evaluation.
- For all returning junior members, where the SLSC knows their ability, a 1:5 water safety ratio (water safety personnel: activity participants) may be used.
- The pool evaluation can also be conducted in open water (ocean, rock pools and ocean baths) away from surf conditions for both new and returning nippers.
- In instances where evaluations cannot be completed, a qualified and accredited swim coach can be endorsed to sign off on the preliminary skills pool assessment.
- Swimming coaches are required to provide their Australian Swimming Teachers and Coaches Associate (ASTCA) number, their name and email address and the name of the children who have successfully completed the swim.
Junior Competition Evaluations
From the age of 7 (Under 8) juniors can begin to compete in intra-club, inter-club and branch competition, while from the age of 8 (Under 9) juniors can participate in state competition. To ensure that all junior members who wish to compete in any inter-club, branch, state, and national events/championships have the required ability, strength and fitness to compete, they must be able to complete the junior competition evaluation for their age group. The following table outlines the national standard for competition skills evaluations.
Branch and State Competition Requirements
Any competitor wishing to compete at Branch or State carnivals (water and/or beach events) must have successfully completed:
• Junior Preliminary Evaluation
• Junior Competition Evaluation
