Waimarama Surf Life Saving run a strong Junior Surf program,
From the age of 5 to 13 years children can participate in
Junior Surf at Waimarama. We encourage children to have fun and
develop their skills, so they can enjoy the beach and one day might
be able to save someone else too. It's about developing
tomorrow's lifeguards and opening up a whole new world to
children.
Our Nipper programme takes place every Sunday starting at 10.00am
during the surf season. All Nippers gather upstairs in the
clubhouse for roll call, latest news and some beach education, they
then the head out to the beach.
What happens at Beach Training is very much age and weather
related. Nippers are split into groups determined by age and
ability. Generally our younger age groups: (5-7, 8 and
9 years old) will do land activities first and then weather
dependant get into the water.
The older age groups (10, 11, 12 & 13 yrs) will spend more time
in the water and their trainings will be more focused on water and
surf skills.
Children wear whatever they feel comfortable in at the beach,
however board shorts, T Shirts etc are not appropriate for any
water activity. They can wear wet suits if they have them.
They only piece of uniform they must wear is their beanie (Nipper
Hat), we provide these for beach sessions.
An adult from each family must stay with each child while they are
at the beach, this is a safety requirement plus your child may need
one on one care from their guardian. (i.e. keeping them warm,
getting them dry, cleaning sand from eyes……all the joys of a summer
at the beach!) Coaches cannot give that level of care when dealing
with a group. Once Nippers have finished they will be
released back into the care of their guardians, if they wish to
continue playing in the surf you must stay with them.
Beach Training does not take place when Nipper Surf Carnivals are
on.
All gear used by the kids on the beach does need to be washed off
prior to being returned to our clubhouse and the gear shed.
We try to encourage our kids to do this but a bit of adult help is
always great!
Ensure your child is prepared for the beach and that they bring
their wetsuit, nipper hat (beach beanie), sun screen and goggles
each week, along with warm clothes including polar fleeces for
changing into. We do encourage kids to use the showers after
training and we will also sell sausages and cans of drinks.
Proceeds from these sales go back towards the Nippers especially
for end of season prize giving.
