A: Our Nipper program is run by volunteer parents, nobody gets paid to teach your children or take on an official role within the club. We rely on new parents and returning parents to help us run the program each season. We are always in need of parents willing to volunteer their time to be Age Managers or to do water safety and other essential roles (inc BBQ, Bar, Uniform Shop and Admin).

If we do not have enough parents to assist we cannot run our program,­ it’s that simple! So please get involved, you do not need to be Guy Leech to do this ­ all parents can help out! You will also have a great time helping your children at the same time to enjoy the beach safely. Please email nippers@longreef.com to find out more information about becoming an Age Manager, or helping out with water safety or other roles we need to fill this season.

A: We offer a Saturday afternoon format of Nippers at Long Reef. The first Nippers session is on the website and will be a safety induction briefing for ALL parents and nippers. Please assemble at the clubhouse at 2.45 pm.

For each Saturday thereafter, Nipper session times are as follows:

➔ U9 to U13 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm

➔ U6 to U8 3.00 pm to 4.30 pm

A: Your child must be 5­ years old on or before 30 September to enrol in our Under 6 Nippers program. From there on, Nipper age groups progress from U7 to U13. Age group placement is determined on the age of your child on or before the 30 September. For example, a child that is 8 years old as of 30 September this year, will be registered as a Nipper in our U9 Age Group for this season.

If your child turns 5­ years old AFTER 30 September, you may be able to enrol them after their birthday, provided there are places available in our U6 age group at the time of your request. Full season membership fees apply.

A: We DO NOT teach children to swim, we assume that all children ­ particularly Nippers in U9 to U13 age groups ­ are comfortable pool swimmers.

U6 to U8 nippers will do limited water activities in Nippers, so swimming proficiency is not as critical, but some swimming ability is required. If your child is a weak swimmer, please make your Age Manager aware so that we can monitor your child during a session.

ALL children from U8 to U13 will be required to undertake and pass a preliminary skills (swim) assessment prior to the season start (refer to requirements in table below). We will announce allocated dates for this testing via by early September.

A: You must hold a current Bronze Medallion certification or a Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC) to assist as official water safety that permits you getting into the water with your child. We encourage parents to obtain their Bronze Medallion or SRC. ­ Our club offers free training to parents who would like to do this as part of our Nippers Family Membership fee. Please email nippers@longreef.com for more information.  However, parents are encouraged take part in all aspects the program and events held throughout the Saturday afternoon session.

A: Yes ­ we are offering limited opportunities this year for Nippers to do additional board training before Saturday afternoon Nippers.

We require volunteers to assist with water safety for these sessions, like all our activities. Please email nippers@longreef.com if you would like to assist with board training, or if you have any special skills that you could perhaps contribute to other training opportunities for our kids. We are always looking for new ways to add more opportunities to develop our kids.

A: Yes, our club encourages kids to compete at SLS carnivals if they would like to. If your child would like to compete this year, please email nippers@longreef.com to discuss this further. Otherwise, we will make announcements throughout the season.

Taking nippers to carnivals also requires commitment from parents as well, to assist club officials with the logistics of set­up/pack­down of club equipment, supplying officials and assist with water safety ­ we cannot offer carnival opportunities without this support.

A: Generally speaking Nippers will proceed even if it is overcast or light rain. If there is any lightning/storm activity in the area, officials will cancel or stop a Nippers session. If the beach conditions are generally unpleasant (extreme cold/wind), we will usually cancel or stop a Nippers session. Sometimes however the sun will be out, it will be a clear day but the surf conditions will result in the surf being closed. If this is the case Nippers maybe restricted to beach­only or flat­water activities (conducted offsite). We will always try to notify you as soon as possible as to any weather restrictions.

A: Nippers is not a creche/child­minding service. Given the potential hazards in a beach aquatic environment, you MUST remain with your child at all times during Nippers (or have another parent willing to supervise your child ­ and advise the Age Manager accordingly).

A: Surfguard is the SLSA member database and you will be automatically added to it when you register your child. Club-wide emails will come via SurfGuard or Long Reef’s Newsletters.  The email address you provide when you register will be used. We also send newsletters via our website. Nippers-specific communications are via TeamApp. Any cancellations due to weather or surf conditions will be sent out via TeamApp.

A: The Long Reef SLSC Click & Collect Shop

You can purchase a full range of uniform and other club merchandise from either our online Merchandise Shop and pick up your items on Saturday afternoon before Nippers. The shop will be open at the clubhouse before Nippers for the first couple of weeks of the Season and then by further arrangment.

The Merchandise shop is run by parent volunteers and is open on Saturdays during the Nipper session.

A: Your child’s safety is the most important aspect of Nippers at Long Reef. We have a strong desire to ensure that we do all that is possible to ensure that your child is safe at our club.

If at any stage you have any concerns as to an issue concerning child safety or wellbeing, please report the issue immediately to Deb Smith or Euan Fisher.

At Long Reef SLSC, there is an expectation that all Nippers, Nipper Parents, Age Managers, Club officials and other Club members will abide by the ‘Australian Sports Fair Play Code of Conduct’ when engaged in Nipper related activities. For more information please email nippers@longreef.com or go to the website of the Office of Children’s Guardian ­ www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au .

A: Email is the best and fastest way to get an answer to any further questions ­admin@longreef.com

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