Nipper Carnivals

The Victorian Junior Surf Carnival season begins in spring and culminates with the Junior State Championships in March each year. There are many events that may be contested at each carnival, although programs will vary at each event.

Nipper carnivals provide an opportunity for Nippers to further develop their “surf skills” and offer a range of beach & water based individual & team events. Participation in carnivals is encouraged but is not compulsory.

See: LSV Sports Calendar

Competition Skills Evaluation

From the age of 8 (Under 9), junior members can begin to compete in swimming and board events at junior carnivals. To ensure that all juniors have the ability, strength and fitness required to complete the course they must pass the Competition Skills Evaluation specific for their age group, as determined by SLSA.

The Competition Skills Evaluation is based on the swim competition distances as set out in the SLSA Australian Surf Sports Manual for that age group and is standard in the form of an open water swim (times & distances are set out below). The evaluation is carried out in an open water environment (assuming the child has already passed & submitted the age appropriate Preliminary Skills Evaluation) and involves a continuous effort of swimming (freestyle) around the course. This assessment is done (U/9 – U/13 only) during the first Nippers session, but is not compulsory, & only children who wish to compete at carnivals are encouraged to do the swim. This evaluation must be completed prior to the award being processed and prior to the candidates competing at carnivals.

Beach Carnival Events

Event	Description
Beach Flags	Beach Flags is a traditional event that has existed since the very beginning of Lifesaving. It involves a group of lifesavers competing for flags (pieces of hose-pipe). An athlete is ‘knocked-out’ each time and eventually there is a run off between two lifesavers. The one who wins the flag, wins the event.
Beach Sprint	Beach Sprint involves a sprint over a distance of 70 metres.
Beach Relay	Beach Relay is held on the sand and consists of a team of four competitors and a rubber piece of hose. Members 1 & 3 are stationed at one end of the lanes whilst members 2 & 4 are at the other. The object is to successfully complete the race without dropping the baton and exchanging within the set boundaries.
Wade Race	Wade Race is a skill designed to teach lifesavers the art of proficient running into the surf. The skills they learn enables them to lift their legs high and swing out over the waves to enhance their ability to increase the response time in entering the  water in the case of a rescue. Competitors begin on the beach start line and on the starters signal enter the water and either wade, dive and or swim around three Life savers usually standing waste deep in the water and then run to the finishing line on the beach.
Wade Relay	Wade Relay involves teams of four who conduct a tag style of race over the same course as the wade race.
Board Race	Board Race uses a nipper or Malibu board. It also involves negotiating the break and then following a set course of buoys. You then return to shore surfing the waves back to the beach. First over the line is the winner. The board race requires balance, strength and endurance.
Board Relay	Board Relay consists of three paddlers completing the board course as above in a tag system. The first team to successfully pass all the buoys and cross the finish line will be declared the winner.
Surf Race	Surf Race involves swimming around a course of buoys placed out in the ocean and swimming to shore
Iron Nipper	Iron Nipper   This event trains lifesavers with the ultimate endurance ability.   It consists of a board paddle, a swim (or a wade for younger age groups) and a run to the finish line.  The carnival referee will determine the order of events on the day.
Aqua Cameron Relay	Aqua Cameron relay is an event where 4 members complete the legs of the Iron Person race. Three of the members will either swim, wade or board paddle while the fourth member will run and tag each member after each leg of the race.
March Past Team	March past team  – a team of 11 marchers from each life saving club carries a reel and club flag, marching to music around a set course and are judged on their timing, marching ability, overall appearance and presentation.
Belt & Reel Race	Belt and Reel race is a beach event and involves two competitors (one runner and one reeler) and an approved life saving reel.  (U12 and above)
Board Rescue	Board Rescue – each team consists of two competitors, a swimmer and a board paddler.  On the starters signal the swimmer enters the water and swims to their allocated buoy and signals to the  board paddler to “rescue them”. When the board paddler has picked up the swimmer, the two competitors paddle to the beach where they must cross the finish line.