Junior Preliminary Skills Evaluation U8-U14
Improving water competency & confidence is a key component of the Nipper program at Fairhaven SLSC, however we are not a learn-to-swim school. All children wishing to enter the water during nipper activities MUST have a basic level of competency. As such, all Nippers U8 & above must have a Swim Proficiency form signed off as part of their registration for the program & cannot participate in water activities without this. This proficiency is a pool based assessment & can be done by a qualified swim teacher, or lifeguard. An electronic version of this form must be lodged by us (on Surfguard), prior to the season commencing, hence our Oct 31 deadline for receiving the swim proficiency forms.
This evaluation is not an assessment which if not completed competently precludes the child from becoming a member or continuing with junior surf education activities. The evaluation is in place to ensure the safety and welfare of the child participating. If a child does not meet the required evaluation level a higher level of supervision when involved in water activities will be required and their water activities will be limited accordingly. An assessment of the surf conditions is made for all activities and appropriate safety considerations will also be considered
| AGE | SWIM | TIME FRAME |
| U6 | Nil, shallow water activities only | N/A |
| U7 | Nil, shallow water activities only | N/A |
| U8 | 25m Pool Swim (any stroke) | Nil |
| U9 | 25m Pool Swim (any stroke) | Nil |
| U10 | 25m Pool Swim (freestyle) | Nil |
| U11 | 50m Pool Swim (freestyle) | Nil |
| U12 | 100m Pool Swim (freestyle) | Nil |
| U13 | 150m Pool Swim (freestyle) | Nil |
| U14 | 200m Pool Swim (freestyle) | Less than 5 minutes |
Competition Skills Evaluation U9-U14
During the Nipper program itself, we run a separate, ocean based competency assessment, the Competition Skills Assessment, which is an LSV requirement for any Nipper U9-U11 wishing to compete in any water event at carnivals & any U12-U14 wishing to compete in any water or beach event at carnivals. This is an optional component & in the interest of managing our human resources, we request that only Nippers planning on competing at carnivals attempt this assessment. A competition skills evaluation is not conducted for Under 8’s as the only water competition is a wade, which takes place in waist deep water.
| AGE | SWIM | TIME FRAME |
| U9 | 150 m open water swim | Within 12 mintues |
| U10 | 150 m open water swim | Within 11 mintues |
| U11 | 288 m open water swim | Within 12 mintues |
| U12 | 288 m open water swim | Within 10 mintues |
| U13 | 288 m open water swim | Within 9 mintues |
| U14 | 288 m open water swim | Within 9 mintues |