WOODSIDE NIPPERS

Affectionately known as our Woodside Nipper Age Groups, these programs are designed for developing aquatic safety skills, surf awareness, team leadership and communication skills. These are conducted every Sunday morning from 9.00am to 11.00am. In a stimulating, challenging and fun environment we aim to prepare these junior lifesavers for a lifetime of surf safety and fun, and guide them towards becoming fully qualified, committed, dedicated Surf Lifesavers prepared to volunteer their time to ensure we have safe enjoyable beaches.

An important part of our Sunday morning activities will be the Woodside Nippers curriculum, which is comprised of four key learning areas.

Surf Awareness:

Not only are surf skills required in conquering conditions, but a knowledge of where the dangers are and how to read the surf are essential ingredients in keeping safe at the beach.

Individual Safety:

This deals with recognising potential risks that we all face when visiting the beach, and in life in general.

Lifesaving Skills:

This learning area starts to introduce our Woodside Nippers to the role we hope they undertake as they grow and develop into future lifesavers.

Surf Sport Skills:

Woodside Nippers learn a variety of skills to help them develop confidence and introduce them to surf life saving’s various surf sport events, such as swimming, board racing and beach flags, to name a few.

The majority of surf education will be provided on the beach, not in a classroom or formal environment (except the Surf Rescue Certificate/Resuscitation course for the older age groups). The best way to teach surf safety is through physical demonstrations, drills/exercises and visual aids (such as spotting a rip).

BELOW IS A SUMMARY OF EACH JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT AWARD:

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Age Group	Certificate	Skills and Learning
Under 6	Surf Play One	This will be your Nippers first introduction to the Woodside Nipper Program. This level is designed to be educational through play, participation, and fun.
Under 7	Surf Play Two
Under 8	Surf Aware One	Introduction to beach safety, basic lifesaving skills and surf sports skills. These age groups are referred to as Little Nippers and are offered a modified interclub carnival.
Under 9	Surf Aware Two
Under 10	Surf Safe One	These age groups demonstrate beach safety skills, lifesaving skills and further develop their surf sports skills through club activities, clinics, and Interclub carnivals.
Under 11	Surf Safe Two
Under 12	Surf Smart One	These age groups transition towards becoming a surf lifesaver, develop an understanding of what is required to be a patrolling member and continue to develop their surf sport skills through club activities, clinics, and Interclub carnivals.
Under 13	Surf Smart Two
Cadets and Youth	Surf Rescue Certificate	Within this age group, children achieve their Surf Rescue Certificate as well as continue to refine surf sport skills.