Hi Everyone   Welcome to the start of a new Nippers season at Mermaid Beach.  A special welcome to all our new members and children joining our Nippers program for the first time this year.  I hope the information contained in this note will answer questions you may have about the 2010/2011 season.   OBJECTIVES OF OUR ACTIVITIES PROGRAM   At Mermaid our junior activities program aims to provide an environment where our junior members learn essential surf safety and awareness skills with a focus on fun, encouraging participation and a healthy and safe beach lifestyle.   Throughout the season our junior members will learn surf safety skills (including how to identify rips), surf sports skills, such as body surfing and negotiating the surf on a Nippers board.  Activity days also include the beach disciplines of flags, beach sprints etc.  At Mermaid our primary focus is to make the Nippers experience fun and enjoyable for all participants and their families.   Our objective is to promote personal development, leadership skills and improve the self confidence of our junior members by setting realistic and obtainable goals and challenges.  We encourage competition but recognise that not all junior members are disposed to the rigors of competition.  We aim to strike a balance between nurturing and encouraging the competitive urges in our junior members and at the same time providing a welcoming environment and a full program for those members who are less inclined to participate in the competitive side of surf lifesaving.   SEASON COMMENCEMENT The first day of Nippers will be Sunday 3 October 2010.  Our aim will be to have the children assembled in their age groups and on the beach for a 9.00am activities start.   As usual parking is at a premium this year as the Council has placed a number of parking restrictions in the park adjacent to the surf club.   The children usually assemble in their age groups in the park on the beachfront across from the surf club.   Age managers will be identified by their coloured rash shirts.  Set out below are the first names of some (but not all) of the age managers and their respective age groups and the coloured rash shirts that they will wear for identification purposes.                       Under 6's Green   Under 7's Green Jed Moore Under 8's White Greg Moreton & Mel Del Under 9’s Dark Blue Michael Dalton Under 10’s Aqua Tanya Irwin and Camilla Gallagher Under 11’s Red Andy and Andrea Baker Under 12’s Yellow Cameron Fraser and Mark Hermann Under 13’s Pink Stuart Sargeant and Michele Gray Under 14’s Purple Grant Bull and Matt Slee           This year we are introducing coloured caps to distinguish the under 6 and 7 age group members.  As our youngest members it is important that they are easily identified particularly in and around the water.  All other age groups will wear a club cap on Nipper days.      The colour code is:-   Under 6 – Yellow Under 7 -  Green   All caps can be purchased from the uniform shop at a cost of $15.00.   We may need some more volunteers to assist the under 6’s – under 7’s.  Could anyone interested please contact Greg Moreton to volunteer their services. To act as an age manager you need to have a current blue card and have completed an Age Managers Accreditation course. Any parent interested in assisting as an age manager for any age group is welcome and encouraged to do so.  Please ensure that your child checks in with their age manager each morning and signs off when they leave.  We have no problem with children leaving early for any reason but please ensure their age manager is notified.    Children participating in the under 6/under 7 age group must have a parent/guardian accompanying them at all times.   FEE STRUCTURE   This year we have introduced a new Nipper family fee structure.  The fees include all insurance costs, specialist coaching and training, access to equipment, age group awards, supporters club membership and all Sunday Nipper activities.   MEMBERSHIP FEES                               2010/11 Deposit Total                   SENIOR                           Active senior   $85 $50 $135                   Active Reserve   $85 $50 $135                   Long service   $85 $50 $135                   Award   $95 $50 $145                   Probationary   $95 $50 $145                   Associate   $110 $50 $160                   Active Junior with BM   $50 $50 $100                   Active Cadet   $40 $50 $90                   Gym Key   $60                                                   NIPPERS                           Family with 1 Nipper   $165 $50 $215                   Family with 2 Nippers   $180 $50 $230                   Family with 3 or more Nippers   $195 $50 $245                                               Nipper Family is for the Nipper's and their parents . If any of the parent's children fall into a Senior           category those children need to be joined into the Senior category not the Nipper Family category.                                       Parents of Nippers who fall into Senior category can join as Nipper family                                           Deposit                           Refundable if they collect at the Annual collection  -   if they do not collect it will be treated as a tax deductible donation included in our collection .               AGE GROUPS   Listed below are the age groups for the 2009/2010 season if born between the following dates:-   Born between                                      Age Group                                          Cap colour 1 October 2004 – 30 September 2005                                                           Under 6         Yellow 1 October 2003 – 30 September 2004                                                           Under 7         Green 1 October 2002 – 30 September 2003                                                           Under 8         Club cap 1 October 2001 – 30 September 2002                                                           Under 9         Club cap 1 October 2000 – 30 September 2001                                                           Under 10       Club cap 1 October 1999  – 30 September 2000                                                          Under 11       Club cap 1 October 1998 to 30 September 1999                                                          Under 12       Club cap 1 October 1997 to 30 September 1998                                                          Under 13       Club cap 1 October 1996 – 30 September 1997                                                           Under 14       Club cap   Please note proof of age/birth certificate must be shown for all new children joining up.   Please ensure that you bring along your child’s birth certificate on sign up day.       ACTIVITIES During the season the age managers will run the children through a range of activities promoting:   Surf safety/awareness Surf skills Surf craft skills Beach events e.g. sprints and flags Resuscitation skills (under 13’s) Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC) for under 14’s   Children are encouraged to participate in all events.  Surf swimming is part of the requirements of being a Nipper.  Proficiencies are first assessed in the pool prior to the children being allowed to participate in water based activities (refer below).  Nippers are also required to learn board skills.  Depending on their age and conditions on the day Nippers will be required to paddle out around a buoy positioned at a set distance.  All ages (excluding under 6’s and under 7’s) are required to participate.  Under 8’s, 9’s and 10’s use foam boards.  Under 11’s to 14’s use fibreglass boards.      WHAT TO BRING One of our aims at Mermaid is to teach the children about all aspects of surf/beach safety.  Accordingly it is important that the children are well prepared for a morning at the beach and some essentials include:   Nippers cap (essential) Plenty of sunscreen liberally applied before the children commence activities Water bottle Swimming goggles (optional of course) A rash shirt as extra protection from the sun   Togs, caps and rash shirts in club colours can be purchased from the uniform shop on most Sundays after the commencement of the season.   POOL PROFICIENCIES   It is essential that the children have completed their pool proficiencies before they participate in any water based activities.  Please ensure that all of the junior members have completed their pool proficiencies and those details are recorded with the chief instructor Jason Argent (arg_37@hotmail.com)   The criteria for the proficiencies are as follows: Under 6’s Kick on wall with face in water and 30 second float Under 7’s Torpedo (push off wall) with face in water and 30 second float Under 8’s 50 metre swim (any stroke) and 1 minute float/tread water Under 9’s 50 metre swim (freestyle) and 1 minute float Under 10’s 100 metre freestyle swim and 1.5 minute float Under 11’s 100 metre freestyle swim and 2 minute float Under 12’s 200 metre freestyle swim and 2 minute float Under 13’s 300 metre freestyle swim and 3 minute float Under 14’s 400 metre freestyle swim (in less than 9 minutes) and 3 minute float   Under 14’s who wish to complete their SRC award must complete the first 200 metres of their pool swim in under 5 minutes.   The children must complete their pool proficiencies prior to registration being processed.  We will have coaches/assessors available at the Miami High School Pool between 9.00am and 11.00am on Saturday 28th August and on Sunday 29th August.  For those who are unable to attend Miami High School at these times (and this may include members who live in Brisbane) proficiencies can be assessed by any level one coach.  The coach must fill out the attached form. We will only accept pool proficiencies done outside the club on this form.   We will update the website with additional times and opportunities to complete the swim proficiency. I reiterate that the proficiency must be completed before registration can be processed.   There are additional competency tests required to be conducted on the beach and these will take place throughout the season.  The requirements are set out in the table below.  For children to be eligible to compete at carnivals they must have completed the beach competency assessment set out below by an eligible assessor (which the club will provide).  We will try to complete the proficiency assessments within the first two weeks of the start of the season. AGE GROUP & SURF EDUCATION plus COMPETENCY TEST Under 8 - Surf Aware 1 Run-Wade-Run - 25m-25m-25m Under 9 - Surf Aware 2 Run-Swim-Run- Minimum 150m open water swim (competition course as per competition manual) Under 10 - Surf Safe 1 Run-Swim-Run - Minimum 150m open water swim (competition course as per competition manual) Under 11 - Surf Safe 2 Run-Swim-Run - Minimum 288m open water swim (competition course as per competition manual) Under 12 - Surf Smart 1 Run-Swim-Run - Minimum 288m open water swim (competition course as per competition manual) Under 13 - Surf Smart 2 Run-Swim-Run - Minimum 288m open water swim (competition course as per competition manual) & Basic Resuscitation Under 14 Run-Swim-Run - Minimum 288m open water swim (competition course as per competition manual) Notes   Competency Test must be achieved before being eligible to compete.  Under 8’s must complete lessons 6 & 7 from the Surf Awareness 1 Certificate prior to completing their Competency Test (Run, Wade, Run) requirements.  Refer to pages 19-22 in Surf Education Instructors Guide for lesson plans.     WHAT IS REQUIRED OF ME AS A PARENT?     At least one parent for each junior member must remain on the beach each Sunday while the children are participating in junior activities.  Parents should introduce themselves to the child’s age manager.      Feel free to approach your age manger to obtain their contact details so that you can more easily communicate with them on issues relevant to your child’s age group.   Like any voluntary association the club relies heavily on the active involvement of parents.  The club cannot function without people volunteering their precious time.  There are a number of ways you can assist such as in water safety (for those with SRC or Bronze Medallion qualifications), morning set up on the beach, BBQ set up and manning the BBQ stall, assisting in the uniform shop, raffle sales and other fundraising initiatives etc.    As is often the case year after year a lot of the work is left to the same few individuals who devote their time tirelessly to keep the junior activities program functioning.  Many hands make light work and it would be of tremendous assistance if you could contact your age manager with an expression of interest to assist in one of the numerous roles essential for the ongoing operation of the junior program.   Of particular and immediate importance is managing the BBQ stall.  The BBQ operates every Sunday and is our number 1 fundraiser.  Mick Fitzgerald and John Flatley will assist to coordinate the BBQ activities for the season.  Each week a particular age group will be rostered on to assist with set up and sales.  Your cooperation and participation in this is appreciated.   Please contact Mick or John or your age manager to see how you can help on the day.  They will be easily recognisable as the gentlemen setting up the BBQ in the park opposite the club.    If you have any queries as to how you can lend any assistance please contact your age managers who I am sure will be able to give polite direction.         WATER SAFETY/OFFICIALS COURSES   To qualify as a water safety official on Nippers day, carnivals and at training times you must have completed as a “minimum” qualification the SRC course.  This is a shorter version of the Bronze Medallion.  For those interested in completing a Bronze Medallion or SRC course please contact the clubs chief instructor Jason Argent or your age manager.  It is important that as many interested parents as possible complete either the SRC course or Bronze Medallion so they can assist as water safety during training, Nippers days and particularly at carnivals.   The South Coast Branch of Surf Life Saving has put out a firm edict that clubs nominating competitors at carnivals must supply one water safety officer for each ten competitors.  If we do not supply the requisite number of water safety officers per competitors the club will not be allowed to compete.    Those who hold SRC and Bronze Medallion must complete a proficiency to ensure their qualification is current.  Please contact Jason Argent or check the website for details.   CARNIVAL OFFICIALS It is also necessary for our club to supply one official for every ten competitors at carnivals.  We need as many mums and dads as possible to complete the officials course to ensure our kids will be able to compete at carnivals.    The courses are usually conducted at Branch Headquarters at Mermaid Beach.  The cost is $77.00 per person.  Of course the club will pay the relevant course fees.  Could anyone interested please contact me (or Jo in the admin office) by return email and I will provide further particulars.   Course dates: Tues 14 September / Wed 13 October & Thurs 18 November  at South Coast Branch (Next Door to the club) - 6pm -9pm.                     CARNIVAL CALENDAR   TBA       Your age managers will have full details of the carnivals and entry requirements.  Please contact your respective age managers for further details.  For some carnivals, numbers of children who are able to participate may be restricted based on, among other things, the ability of the club to provide the requisite number of water safety and carnival officials.  If the club faces these restrictions selections will be based on, among other things, the water safety and officials an age group is able to apply, attendance at training, attendance at Sunday Nippers and performance and proficiency.  If your child wishes to compete at carnivals it is imperative that at least one parent volunteers in one of these capacities (i.e. water safety, officials, BBQ duties, etc).     MNM CARNIVAL     In addition to the above program Mermaid participates in a three way carnival with Nobby’s and Miami.  It is a fun day and usually run like any other Nippers program with some friendly competition between our neighbouring clubs.  Date is still to be confirmed   CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS   We have also set the dates for club points days.  These are days where the children will compete against each other for points to determine age champions (first, second and third places) amongst each relevant age group.  The  tentative dates (subject to favourable weather and surf conditions) are as follows:   First points day TBC Second points day TBC Third points day TBC   We will also set aside some back up dates which will revolve around the carnival calendar and weather conditions.   Under 6’s and under 7’s do not compete for points or places.  They will all receive recognition for their participation.   TRAINING   Jason Barker is our specialist coach for the under 11 – under 14 age groups cadet and senior board squads.  Details of Jason’s training program and times will be posted on the website (www.mermaidslsc.org.au).  Please check the website to confirm training times and details.   Training for the under 8’s – under 10’s will be managed by Deanne Wilkinson (Wednesday afternoons, Saturday mornings and Sunday during nippers & Michael Dalton (Sunday before nippers 8:00am - 8:50am).  They will both require assistance and anyone who is willing and able to lend a hand to coordinate training for the under 8 – under 10’s during the course of the season should contact Michael for this purpose. A training program is being formulated.  There will be more detail on under 8’s – under 10’s training as the season progresses. At this stage we are looking to commence the first Sunday morning session at the club on September 12 – 8:00AM    BOARD ALLOCATION   For those children who wish to participate in regular organised training activity, a Nipper board may be allocated.  A board levy may be required for the newer “glass” Nipper boards.  You must also ensure that your name, contact details and board identification is provided to one of the Club craft captains (Greg Morton, Dale Penman or Richard Templar).  A levy has been introduced for allocation of Under 14 “Long” boards. Particulars of the Club’s craft policy can be found on the website.  If a board is damaged in your child’s care or custody, it is club policy that the board is repaired at your cost.   CHANGE OF ADDRESS OR PHONE NUMBER   Could you please notify the secretary of the club (email address secretary@mermaidslsc.org.au) or Jo Buchanan (admin@mermaidslsc.org.au) or by a note delivered or posted to the club (PO Box 367 Mermaid Beach QLD 4218) of any change of address, email or phone contact details so that we may keep you up to date with all relevant information.      MORE INFORMATION   As the season progresses we will endeavour to keep you updated with relevant information.  Information will be provided through the following modes of communication:   email to age managers.  They in turn can pass relevant information to you if you if you provide them with your email address and request email contact.  You can do this by contacting them at the email address provided with this note. by posting communications like this one on our website www.mermaidslsc.org.au making available news letters containing the information circulated in the emails which can be collected at the club or at the BBQ facility on the beach each Sunday by posting relevant details on the notice board which on most Nippers Sundays is located in the park near the BBQ facility.    Please let me know if there is specific information you would like provided on a more regular basis.   If you require any further information on any of the issues canvassed in this memorandum do not hesitate to contact me by return email or alternatively contact your age manager.   Wishing you a fun, safe and enjoyable Nippers season.   Kind regards   Mark Lacy   lacym@hickeylawyers.com.au   Administrator – Jo Buchanan Office Hours – Wed - 9am till 4pm                         Thur - 10.30am till 5pm                          Sun – 8am till 12pm Ph: 5575 3668. Fax: 5575 2489 Email: admin@mermaidslsc.org.au       TEAM MANAGER CONTACT DETAILS   Under 8’s - 10’s Michael Dalton – 0411 864 133 - mdalton@bigpond.net.au Under 11’s – 14 Deb Mackay Payne - dmp4@opyusnet.com.au       Carnival Calendar   Under 8 to Under 10 and Under 11 to Under 14 - TBA