Junior Surf Parent Handbook
2015/16 Season
Welcome from the JS Coordinator
Welcome to the 2015/2016 Surf Season! I’d like to welcome both returning families and new
members to the NPOB Surf Lifesaving Club Junior Programme for children 4-13 years of age.
Our program is a surf lifesaving program with an emphasis on participation, fun, acquisition and
development of life guarding, surf sport and water safety skills. The program is designed to provide
recreation, interaction, learning and competition amongst peers.
This year we hope to support a competitive element within the Junior Surf Program – allowing for the
training and development of our nippers & cadets participating in carnivals. We believe it is important
to get those keen to take on the competitions, prepared to move up to the Oceans Squad with Dean
in the coming seasons!
Surf Lifesaving is not just about patrolling beaches and competition, it is a safe and supportive
environment for young people to make friends, socialise and share a common interest.
I’d like to take the opportunity to introduce our fabulous Junior Surf Committee whom have been
working hard over the winter months to prepare what will hopefully be a great season of nippers with
a fresh programme. The JS Committee is chaired by Jason Peacock and includes Jaynie McSweeney,
Lawrence Corlette, Dean Spicer, Scott MacArthur, Ritchie Matheson and myself. There are a few
changes to the programme this year that we feel will improve Junior Surf, so please take the time to
read through this handbook.
Our programme would not be successful without the help of all our parents; we need your support on
the beach and in the club on Sundays and during our summer programme. It is a fantastic thing for
you to be part of. To see your child or children learn how to become confident in the water, learning
new skills or participating in surf sport is a special thing. We are a volunteer organisation and only as
good as the help we get. The more help the better our programme will be for the children.
The NPOB Junior Surf program has become a strong part of the clubs history through our development
of youth, awards gained, supply of patrolling members and competition results. Like any club, its
future is in its youth. I hope we can instil a sense of pride and tradition in all our members and have
all our children confident that they are part of something in which they can be proud.
Please feel free to contact me any time; my contact details can be located on the back of this booklet.
I hope you all have an amazing summer holiday and thoroughly enjoy our program.
I look forward to seeing you down on the beach and getting to know you all over this season!
Nova Robinson
Junior Surf Coordinator
NPOB Surf Lifesaving Club
The NPOB SLSC has been active in the Taranaki community since 1921; We have come a long way since
our inception and now boast a strong membership base and with our amazing renovations underway
we should have some if not the best club facilities within Surf Life Saving in New Zealand.
NPOB SLSC host professional patrols during the peak summer period as well as a fantastic voluntary
patrol roster by our club members. Thanks to this great service we are able to protect our popular
Oakura beach; allowing holiday makers and locals to enjoy their summer break. NPOB SLSC has a
strong Junior Surf program catering for children under 14 years old. The program aims to teach
fundamental ocean and beach skills, surf life saving sport disciplines, first aid, and water safety in a
fun and supportive environment. NPOB SLSC provides a high performance program for our junior
members. This is aimed at not only our top competitive athletes, but also those that enjoy being part
of a team, in a fun carnival atmosphere. We have children competing nationally on the beach and in
the pool.
A typical week at Junior Surf!
Day
Sunday
Time
10.00 – 11.15
10.00 – 12.00
Wednesday
Friday
4.30pm
4.30 pm
Session
Nip nips U6-U8
Nippers U9 – U10
Rookies U11 – U12
Cadets U13 – U14
Oceans training with Dean / Mitch
Oceans training with Dean / Mitch
What Happens on Sundays?
Aim to arrive 10 mins early so your child can have their name ticked off on the roll by their coach, or
fill in sign in sheet. You can ask any questions and kids need to be organized (changed, fed, sun
screened and toileted) before we start. We start at 10am, we do not wait, so please try and be early
or just fit in as you arrive, we won’t be far away!
When you arrive, check out the notice board, this is where Dean, Nova, or the Coaches will place
notices or important info that you need to know.
It is important that you stick around for the program delivery and the morning briefing – if you miss
the intro you will miss important messages! Whether your child is 5 or 13 we need your help on day
to day tasks – don’t be shy! We want parents to lend a hand. If you have a few minutes to spare
please ask Nova or one of our newly appointed JS Club Captains – Maria Peacock or Mike Tewhata and
they will help you find a job or someone to show you what to do or where you can get involved.
What to bring to Nippers, Cadet’s & Rookies?
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Club Cap
Pink Vest – No vest: No training.
Towel
Togs
Wetsuit if cold (not compulsory) **
Sunscreen
Drink
Food or a snack if needed
Warm clothing
You may bring your own boogie board to nippers if you like, however we do have plenty to
use.
**The kids will go in the water even if it is cold, so if your child gets cold easily then a wetsuit is
recommended.
Uniform
We have a brilliant selection of uniform to choose from, the complete uniform is NOT compulsory.
The only compulsory uniform is a pink vest and NPOB cap. These are also required for carnival
participation. The “shop” will be open most Sunday mornings at Junior Surf. Please contact Anna
Cleland for any uniform enquiries.
Medical Conditions & Emergency Register
Upon registration you will be required to complete a health, safety and emergency contact form for
our emergency register.
Please be sure to note any allergies or asthma your child may have.
If your child has any other medical condition or learning difficulty that may impact their ability to
participate in Junior Surf please discuss this with the Junior Surf Coordinator (Nova).
Please note; if your child requires an epipen, has poorly controlled asthma, is diabetic or has anything
that will impair their ability to follow instructions i.e. difficulty hearing etc please let us know so we
can come up with a plan for your child..
Environment
Given that our surf environment is an unpredictable beach, we have to work together with parents to
keep the children safe. We also deal with creatures that come onto the beach from time to time, bees
and jellyfish are constant visitors, and whilst these dangers are managed they are not something we
cannot fully control. Please be assured that we constantly assess the beach and surf environment to
ensure and protect the safety of our Junior Surf Kids!
The Nipper and Cadet Program
Who can join Nippers and Cadets?
Our age groups are taken from the child’s age on 30th September, so u6’s are 5 on 30 September, u7’s
are 6 on 30 September and so on.
Our Nippers program caters for children from the age of 4 years. We have an Under 6 and Under 7
age group where the children are able to participate with their parents in the Junior Surf Program.
These age groups’ work toward “Surf Play Level 1” and “Surf Play Level 2” awards.
Nippers have to be aged 7 or older to be able to actively compete and participate in Junior Surf
Carnivals. Cadet’s age group goes up to 13, when your child turns 14 they have the option to become
a lifeguard. Please note that 14 year olds do not have to have participated in the junior surf program
to become a lifeguard.
Apart from these age restrictions, anyone can join our junior surf program. It is expected that your
child can swim in a pool. We are not a learn to swim program, our focus is on developing water and
surf safety skills in the ocean. If your child can not swim please discuss this with the Junior Surf
Coordinator.
How to join Nippers and Cadets?
Simply come on up to the club and speak to the junior surf coordinator or a committee member during
the times of 9:45am and 10:15am, here they will be able to give you a membership form to fill out,
help you with registration and show you the fabulous range of uniform. We welcome all members to
the club so please get your friends and family to come along.
When does the program run?
The junior surf program runs throughout the surf lifesaving season, starting in November and then
finishing in March. The program runs every Sunday with a short break over Xmas.
What is involved?
The junior surf program is about teaching children how to be confident and aware when in the water
and on the beach. They learn valid skills that will develop them into fantastic lifeguards. Sport and
recreation are also important components of our successful Junior Surf Program. It is important that
the kids have fun and love to come to junior surf every day, enjoying the club atmosphere whilst
making some great friends, and learning something new along the way.
What are the carnival events?
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Beach Flags
Beach Sprints
Beach Relays
Run Wade Run
Run Swim Run
Surf Swim
Run Board Run
Body Board or Board Race
Diamond
Cameron Relay
Ocean Athletes and Oceans 16
Represented very well by NPOB SLSC these athletes commit to extra training sessions with our
fantastic and dedicated club coaches Dean and Mitch. This squad attends and has a successful past
record at the major carnival: “Oceans” for U14’s in New Zealand. This carnival is the pinnacle of events
for JS nationally. It is for children aged 10 – 14.
If you would like to join the oceans training group please contact Dean Spicer.
Junior Surf competitors will certainly get more enjoyment and sense of achievement from Oceans if
they have attended these training sessions. It is suggested that parents of these athletes take part in
a coaching workshop or official course so they can assist in the weeklong carnival. Further information
about Ocean Athletes and Oceans 16 will be given closer to the time of competition.
Our Oceans and Senior Squads are ALWAYS looking for new members – it is not an ‘elite’ squad. Chat
to your coaches if you have any questions or would like to try out at session or two with these guys.
Otherwise you can chat to our senior lifeguards, many who have been to Oceans as well.
Equipment Use
U6’s & U7’s– Body boards
U8’s – Body Boards
U9’s – 8’10 maximum length, made from foam or plastic (Must complete 200m Badge)
U10-U12’s – 8’10 maximum length, made from foam, plastic or fiberglass
You will be advised by Dean what boards are appropriate for your use. Please respect his decision.
12 years and over – 10’6, fiberglass, foam or plastic
Parents at Nippers
All parents are expected to turn up to nippers and cadets, we have to fill a ratio requirement to be
able to put the children into the water, so please come along and do your bit. This is also about safety,
when we have 90 nippers on the beach we simply can’t watch all of them effectively - this is why we
expect parents/guardians to be present. Most importantly, your children are learning a vital life skill,
why not be a part of it.
We require 1:5 parent helpers to nippers when we put children in the water. If we don’t have this
help we can’t get the kids in the water!
As a parent or guardian you are REQUIRED to be at the beach at all times during Sunday activities.
Your child remains your responsibility. Medication, trips to the toilet and the individual general
welfare of each child on Oakura beach is the responsibility of the parent or guardian. Nippers and
Cadets is NOT a child minding program.
How about taking a course?
Parents have the option to become a qualified coach or parent assistant. Some of our parents already
hold these qualifications; please see the junior surf coordinator for more details. Parents can also
become a part of the official’s pathway, this qualification allows parents to officially help at carnivals,
and from the other side it also gives a further insight into the sport and therefore provides the club
with volunteers to help us when we go to carnivals. We strongly encourage parents to get involved
within the program and these qualifications.
We can’t send junior surf to carnivals without providing a certain number of officials to assist. The
more officials we have within the club the fewer competitions each person needs to officiate – it’s
great to share the job around!
Carnivals and Competition
Surf Sports are an integral part of life saving at NPOB SLSC.
Training for, and participation in Surf Sports enables Lifeguards to improve their lifesaving skills,
fitness, and motivation. Junior Surf athletes through to Masters compete in a variety of aquatic and
beach events testing their fitness and surf skills against one another and against nature. With a
professional surf coach for competitors, and a team of Junior Surf coaches, NPOB SLSC is able to ensure
all members have the right trainings towards each surf discipline.
Surf Sport disciplines include swim, tube rescue, team surf race, board, ski, run, ironman, canoe,
surf boat and inflatable rescue boat (IRB). Surf Sport events are held over the summer providing local,
national and international competition for Surf Sport Lifeguards. Surf life saving also holds pool
regional and national pool competitions where clubs get the chance to compete against one and
another in rescue, obstacle, and swimming races.
Our Junior Surf Program encourages all participants aged 7 and up to get involved and give local
carnivals a go. It’s not about winning – just get in there and give it your best! There may be instances
where Junior Surf is cancelled due to carnivals.
Junior Surf Carnivals
Event
Date
Time
Location
Comments
Fitzroy Carnival
Sat 19th Dec 15
TBA
Fitzroy Beach
U8s and above
Opunake Carnival
Central Regions Junior
Champs
Twilight Carnival
Sun 17th Jan 16
Sat 23rd Jan 16
TBA
TBA
Opunake Beach
Oakura Beach
Thurs 18th Feb
pm
Ngamotu Beach
U8s and above
Oceans Age – U11s and
above
U11s and above
Taranaki JS Champs
Sun 21st Feb
TBA
East End
U8s and above
Twilight Carnival
Thurs 25th Feb
TBA
Ngamotu Beach
U11s and above
Oceans 2016
3rd-6th March
Mount Maunganui
U11s and above
Code of Conduct
Parents, Caregivers & Spectators
As members or associate members of NPOB Surf Lifesaving Club you are bound to the SLSNZ code of
conduct. Breaches of this code of conduct on the beach, within the clubrooms or at competition will
not be tolerated. Please familiarise yourself with the code of conduct below.
“Remember, children are involved in sport for their enjoyment, not yours.”
Parents have an important role in the delivery and support of sporting activities for their own and
other children. With it comes a clear responsibility to act in a constructive and encouraging manner at
all times.
Parents, Caregivers & Spectators Code of Behaviour
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Remember that children participate in sport for their enjoyment and development.
Encourage children to participate, do not force them.
Focus on the child’s efforts and performance rather than winning or losing. Set realistic
goals.
Encourage children to always play according to the rules and to settle disagreements
without resorting to hostility or violence.
Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or losing a competition.
Remember children learn best by example.
Appreciate good performances and skilful plays by all participants including from other
clubs.
Encourage children to always play according to the rules and to settle disagreements
without resorting to hostility or violence.
Junior Surf Participant
If you wear the NPOB cap you follow these rules!
Junior Surf Participant Code of Behaviour:
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Always try your best for yourself (and your team!)
Treat all participants, as you would like to be treated. Do not bully, interfere or take unfair
advantage of another competitor or participant.
Co‐operate with your coach, age managers, teammates, officials and opponents.
Without them there would be no competition.
Be a good sport. Applaud all good performances whether they are given by NPOB SLSC or
other clubs.
Compete within the rules and within the spirit of Surf Lifesaving and NPOB SLSC.
Never argue with an official. If you disagree have your Team Manager, coach or Coordinator
approach the official during a break or after the competition.
Control your temper. Verbal abuse of officials and sledging of other competitors,
deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent are not acceptable or permitted
behaviours.
Participate for your own enjoyment and benefit, not just to please parents and coaches.
Respect the equipment you use, wash it and return it after use. Report any damage to the
Gear Steward or Junior Surf Coordinator.
Respect the clubhouse. Treat it as you would treat your home. Leave it tidy.