Update – Age requirement to be fully vaccinated for Nippers
Based on the most recent Chief Health Officer directions (announced Thursday 18 November), the age requirement to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 has changed from 16 years to 12 years and two months. From a Life Saving Victoria perspective, the changes will be effective Monday 22 November.
Nippers Dates for Season 2021 / 22
The Fairhaven SLSC Nipper Program will run from Monday 27th December 2021 to Wednesday 5th January 2022.
The dates set out below are subject to change based on instructions from Life Saving Victoria and the State Government. At this stage, we expect to run one session on each of the scheduled nipper days from 10.00am to 12.00pm. If social distancing regulations dictate we may have to move some Age Groups further along the beach in order to be able to deliver the program or alter the time of the program.
Welcome to Nipper Season 2021/22
To those who have registered for the first time, welcome to the Nippers program at Fairhaven Surf Life Saving Club! To those who are returning, it is great to have you back for another year. After the year that we have had we are all looking forward to some fun, sand, surf and COVID safe socialising. There is still much organising going on behind the scenes as you can imagine, but below is some information that will hopefully answer most of your questions.
We are looking forward to another great season, with a wonderful team of volunteer AGMs and Specialist coaches to once again lead our Nipper Groups. We are also looking forward to welcoming participants in the Under 15 and SRC programs who will join us on the beach to assist with water safety and in running some activities.
Season Dates, Times, Location
Dates
Monday 27th December 2021 to Wednesday 5th January 2022.
Please Note: There will be two Rest Days on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd January 2022.
Times
Sessions will run from 10.00am-12.15pm.
Each session will comprise three (3) x 45 minute activities.
Arrival
Please arrive by 9.45am in order to allow sufficient time to QR Code in, to have your Vaccination Certificate checked by your age groups COVID Marshall, and to have your child marked off the roll.
Nippers are to meet on the beach at their coloured Age Group Flag.
Departure
Sessions are scheduled to finish at 12.15pm, however sometimes an age group may finish an activity early, or bad weather may require an early finish. Please stay at the beach and have your phone on in case an early pick up is required.
Nippers are to remain at the Age Group Flag with the Admin Assistant and the AGM until collected by a parent or guardian.
Please do not take your child until they have been checked out by your age groups Admin Assistant. The Admin Assistant needs to see you and hear you say that you are collecting your child. If someone else will be collecting your child at the end of a session please advise the Admin Assistant when you check your child in.
Under 6 (Mozzie) parents please note that sometimes the sessions finish early as the kids can get tired and cold. Please have dry clothes, snacks and cuddles available.
Location
We plan to hold all of our sessions on our beautiful beach at Fairhaven. However, the location on any day is always subject to change depending on the conditions. If we have to relocate the whole or part of the program we will move to either Painkalac Creek in Aireys Inlet or Point Roadknight in Anglesea. Location changes will be notified via the Team App so please make sure you have this downloaded prior to 26th December (instructions to come) & allow push notifications.
Gear Collection
New Nippers will be provided with the following uniform items:
- Blue FSLSC Rash top – compulsory for each nippers session, comp training session and Carnivals
- Pinkie vest – compulsory for each nippers session, comp training session and Carnivals
- Blue and orange FSLSC Swim cap – compulsory for each nippers session, comp training session and Carnivals
- Blue Broad-brim FSLSC hat – compulsory for each nippers session, comp training session and Carnivals
- Fairhaven towel
The same FSLSC uniform is worn by all nippers regardless of gender and age.
Our Club Administrator Nicole will email all new Nippers a link to nominate rashie sizes.
Gear packs for new Nippers may be collected from the lower level of the Clubhouse between 3-4pm (only) on Sunday 26th December 2021 (take the beach access stairs down one flight and come to the roller door).
Any uncollected new nipper gear packs will be put into the Age Group tubs for distribution at the age group flag on the first morning.
Please ensure that you use a sharpie to clearly name ALL of your child’s gear including the towel and water bottle. Please write your child’s first name on the front and back of their Pinkie so that they are easily identifiable.
If existing Nippers have grown out of their rashie, please email Nicole at [email protected] and we will do our best to provide a new one. Gear is extremely limited due to COVID so we can’t guarantee stock. If it still fits (they are stretchy!) or you have access to a hand me down in a larger size please don’t request a new one.
What to Bring to Each Nippers Session
- Blue FSLSC Rash top – compulsory for each nippers session, comp training session and Carnivals
- Pinkie vest – compulsory for each nippers session, comp training session and Carnivals
- Blue and orange FSLSC Swim cap – compulsory for each nippers session, comp training session and Carnivals
- Blue Broad-brim FSLSC hat – compulsory for each nippers session, comp training session and Carnivals
- Towel
- Water Bottle
- Sun screen (must apply before the session begins)
- Wetsuit (highly recommended)
- Goggles (and an extra pair)
- Warm clothing to change into after the session
- Healthy snack
- Face Mask if aged 12+
- Hand sanitiser
Please ensure that all clothing and drink bottle and towel are clearly labelled.
Swim Proficiency
If you have not already done so please complete and return your child’s Swim Proficiency Form ASAP. These need to be processed by LSV before the program commences.
When completing the Form please ensure that the name written on the form is the name / form of name as used when registering your child for Nippers. This will assist in marrying the Swim Proficiency Form with your child’s records.
You can either Print a Swim Form here and email it to us at [email protected], or complete it electronically Preliminary Swim Skills Evaluation Form.
Unfortunately, if we do not receive the signed form prior to the commencement of the program your child will not be able to enter the water during Nippers.
Any child that does not meet the required evaluation level for their age group will require a higher level of supervision when involved in water-based activities. These children must remain in shallow water and supervised on a 1:1 ratio until the child is deemed competent in relation to the preliminary skills evaluation guidelines.
Please advise your child’s Age Group Manager if your child is not a confident swimmer so that assistance may be arranged.
Competition Skills Evaluation
Once a nipper has successfully completed the Preliminary Skills Assessment, a second assessment known as the Competition Skills Evaluation will be completed (for U9-U13). Competition Skills Evaluations will take place during the first few days of the nipper program weather providing.
Competition Skills Evaluation requirements are as follows:
| AGE GROUP | OPEN WATER SWIM DISTANCE | TIME ALLOWED |
| Mozzies & U7 | N/A (These age groups do not compete at Nippers Carnivals) | |
| U8 | N/A (These age groups do not compete at Nippers Carnivals) | |
| U9 | Minimum 150m open water swim | 12 minutes |
| U10 | Minimum 150m open water swim | 11 minutes |
| U11 | Minimum 288m open water swim | 12 minutes |
| U12 | Minimum 288m open water swim | 10 minutes |
| U13 | Minimum 288m open water swim | 9 minutes |
Completion of the Competition Skills Evaluation is mandatory for U12 and U13 to compete in ANY event at a Carnival and for U9-U11 for water events only (excluding wade).
Events and Activities
Opening Ceremony – 9.00am on 27th December 2021
Please join us on the Sunset Deck of the Club at 9.00am on Monday 27th December for the Opening Ceremony. This will include a Welcome to Country given by a member of the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation on whose traditional lands our Club is located.
Following the Welcome to Country, we will introduce our Nipper Captains for the 2021/22 Season; Sidney Johns and Bridget Sherry and our Nipper Leadership Group; Alexandra Green, Alice Wilcox, Georgia Benton, Olivia Webb, Oscar Doggett and Xavier West.
Sausage Sizzle
We will be running a Nipper Sausage Sizzle each day.
Each Age Group is responsible for staffing the BBQ on one day. Please sign up via the BBQ Roster.
Skills Training Sessions
As in previous years we will hold some optional skills training sessions on some afternoons for kids wanting to compete in Nipper Carnivals or add to their sand and surf skills. Keep an eye on Team App for further information.
Beach Play Dates
We will schedule some afternoon informal Beach Play Dates for those children who would like to spend a little more time with their Nippers friends. These sessions will be led by our Nipper Leadership Group and will include activities and games. Keep an eye on Team App for further information.
Club Championships – Tuesday 4th January 2022
Club Championships (optional) will be held on Tuesday 4th January 2022 and are open to all registered Fairhaven Nippers (U7 – U13).
Pizza and Burger Night (Takeaway Tuesday) – Tuesday 4th January 2022
On the evening of Tuesday 4th January we will be holding “Takeaway Tuesday” at the Club as part of the Nippers Club Championships presentation. Pete’s Wood Fired Pizza will be on site making fresh pizzas and our wonderful Club Chef Pia Maher and her team will be on the grill flipping burgers. Details on how to book and pre order your meal will be sent out after Christmas.
Parent / Carer Involvement
Get involved!
All the people who make Nippers happen each year are volunteers.
It is a requirement that (at least) one parent / carer (with WWCC and double vaccination) make themselves available to help provide the Nippers program to our children.
Our program cannot run without parents stepping up to become Age Group Managers, water safety, IRB crew, first aid officers and coaches. In addition, ALL parents are expected to help out each day in setting up and packing up gear – especially boards. Please step up. Don’t wait to be asked.
Further, our nippers cannot compete at carnivals unless we have the required number of Club Officials on the beach. Full training is provided for both Age Managers and Officials – and no experience is necessary. It is a great way to be actively involved in your children’s sport and you get to be in the middle of the action rather than watching from behind the ropes!
If you have a current Bronze Medallion and / or an IRB Crew or Driver’s License or are interested in becoming and AGM or Carnival Official please let the Nippers team know ASAP by emailing [email protected].
Can I drop my children at Nippers and leave?
No! Our programs are not a babysitting service.
One responsible adult MUST be present at the sessions at all times in case of medical or other emergency or to accompany your child to the toilet or assist them change into/out of a wetsuit, find googles etc.
If a child is ill or injured, we need to be able to utilise our first aid officer and potentially return the child to their parent. Taking an Age Group Manager, coach or water safety officer off the beach to oversee a child’s care potentially leaves the other children in the program under-supervised and at risk. If you are called away from the beach, you MUST notify the Age Group Manager and leave a mobile number and expected return time or make alternative arrangements for the care of your child.
Parents of Mozzie and U7 children must stay with their group at all times.
Parents of U8+ must inform the Age Group Manager or Admin Assistant where they will be on the beach if they are not going to be with the group (e.g. the parent will be with a child in a different age group) and ensure that the AGM and Admin Assistant have their phone number.
Carnivals
Life Saving Victoria has confirmed that a number of Junior Carnivals will take place in the 2021 / 22 Season.
There are three Carnivals scheduled in the lead up to the Junior State Championships:
- Cosy Corner (Torquay) – 7th January 2022
- Mordialloc – 22nd January 2022
- Point Leo – 6th February 2022
The Junior State Championships “States” will be held in Lorne from Friday 25th February to Sunday 27th February 2022. (U9-U13)
All Nippers who meet the qualification requirements are encouraged to attend and have a go.
COVID-19 Vaccinations
A reminder that anyone aged 12 years and two months and older who attends the club facilities or participates in club or LSV activities or is involved with any of our services, programs, activities and/or events including Nippers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless an exemption applies.
LSV requests that every member complete and submit a COVID-19 vaccination status form. The form is short and can be accessed via a smart phone.
Go to: vacstatus.lsv.com.au
If you are unable to access the form, you can send a photo of your vaccination certificate to Nicole at [email protected]. Nicole will record your vaccination status as complete and then delete the photo.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with our President via email [email protected].
COVID Related Changes
This season we need to do some things differently because of COVID.
COVID Symptoms. If you or any of your family members has COVID symptoms please do not come to the Nippers program. Please get tested and self-isolate until you receive a negative result. To find your closest testing location please visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/where-get-tested-covid-19.
Exposure to COVID. If you or your Nipper has been exposed to COVID please follow Government regulations in relation to getting tested and self-isolating. You can find the regulations here www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au.
Positive test. If you or a person in your house tests positive during the Nippers season or has been told to isolate as a close contact please alert the Nippers Coordinators immediately by emailing [email protected]
QR Codes NIPPERS. Please ensure that each day, as you arrive, you scan one of the QR Codes marked NIPPERS and check in via the Services Victoria App on your phone.
QR Codes for other Club activities. Please note that the various operations of and locations within the Club each have different QR Codes, so if you scan in for Nippers in the morning and then visit the Clubhouse for a meal later in the day you will have to QR Code in again at the entrance to the Clubhouse.
Show Your Vaccination Certificate. Please have your Vaccination Certificate ready to show to the COVID Marshall assigned to your age group.
Meet at the age group flag. For parents who aren’t helping on the beach with an age group, please QR Code in, show your vaccination certificate, get your Nipper marked off the roll and then please move a short distance away from the group to watch the activities (other than Mozzies and Under 7s where one parent must stay with the group).
If you are helping with an age group, please wear your coloured age group top to each session so that you are easily identifiable as being part of the age group. Please keep your top for the duration of the program and we will arrange washing after the last session.
Social Distancing. While masks are not currently required to be worn outside please continue to maintain 1.5m between yourself and others and consider wearing a mask if you are unable to maintain a distance of 1.5m from others.
Hand Sanitising. Please ensure that you and your children hand sanitise on arrival at the age group flag at the beginning of the session and again on departure. Hand sanitiser will be provided to every age group and the Covid Marshalls will encourage the Nippers to sanitise at the end of each activity.
Please do not share water bottles, sunscreen or Nipper uniforms. Please ensure that your nipper comes to each session with all of their own gear and uniform including sunscreen, towel and wetsuit as these items cannot be shared between Nippers.
Equipment Sanitisation. At end of each Boards, Surfing and Flags session all equipment must be sanitised before it is used by the next group or put away. Please assist the coaches by using the sanitiser provided to clean down the equipment.
Merchandise Shop
The FSLSC Merchandise shop will be reopening late December. The Shop is located in the Clubhouse. It stocks an extensive variety of Club clothing and merchandise including replacement FSLSC rashies, pinkies and swim caps should your nipper lose these items during the season. You can order FSLSC gear online by following this link fairhavenslscshop.com. Click and collect is available at the Clubhouse at nominated times during the Season.
Stay Up To Date
Like us on Facebook for the latest news and information from the club. www.facebook.com/FairhavenSLSC.
This year we will be using Team App to communicate with Members including Nipper families. Please download Team App by 26th December. Instructions on how to find the Fairhaven SLSC page on the app will be provided soon.
Contacts
Nipper queries:
Mel Vallence & Tanya Singleton – [email protected]
Membership and Nipper queries:
Nicole Clarke – [email protected]
