about llandudno surf nippers

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​important nipper information

The main aim of LSLC Nippers is to provide a fun-filled program of sea safety education, beach exercise and competitive challenges for the development of future lifesavers for the club.

joining information

registration for existing and new members
Current qualified members will be required to register for the new season and new members will be required to complete a pool swim test to make sure they are competent enough in the water.

how to become a nipper member?
To become a Nipper you will have to first join Llandudno Surf Lifesaving Club and then pass a test called the ENTRANCE TEST. This test is done by all nippers. After passing this test you are eligible to do the Nipper Awards and participate in other fun nipper activities.

What does the ENTRANCE TEST require?
1. A 100m swim in less than 3 minutes without stopping, in a swimming pool.
2. Treading water continuously for 5 minutes.
3. Retrieve an object 1.5 metes deep in a pool.

what does a nipper wear?
The nipper kit consists of a llandudnosurf costume for boys and girls and a rash vest. Nippers are required to bring their costumes, a wetsuit, towel, goggles (if required), a silicon swimming cap (if required), sunblock and water and a snack to the beach on Sundays. Nippers will be issued with colourful skullcaps during training to ensure their visibility in the water. Their costumes and rash vests are compulsory at competitions and they will be given llandudnosurf skullcaps which need to be worn throughout the competition.

competitions and awards tests

nipper activities
Nipper training is conducted each Sunday from 10.00am till 12.00pm at Llandudno Beach (meet at the club house at 10.00 sharp for roll call), regardless of the weather. Nippers take a short break for Christmas but resume early January to ensure readiness as the final competitions approach. Wednesday evening training on the beach from 6.00pm-7.00pm is for the competition squad ONLY.

There are usually about 4-5 competitions per season, including Western Province Champs and SA Champs. Only nippers qualified in their particular levels will be able to compete in these competitions.

For each Level, Nippers are required to complete an ocean swim and are tested on their water safety rules, basic personal first aid, lifesaving signals and other lifesaving rules. The awards are split into three Levels, based on the age of the Nipper.

level awards tests
To be able to compete, all Nippers are required to complete their age-appropriate Awards Test. These awards tests include the following: a pre-qualifying timed pool swim; a run-swim-run in the ocean; a general fitness test and an oral theory test (on their water safety rules, basic personal first aid, lifesaving signals and other lifesaving rules). Please note that all Lifesaving Awards are age appropriate.

what does the awards test entail
Under 10 - Level 1
Run-swim-run: 75m/150m/75m in under 10 minutes
20 sit-ups 10 push-ups
Theory: Water safety rules (1-5), First aid (1-5), Signals (1-5), Lifesaving (1-2)
Under 12 - Level 2
Run-swim-run: 100m/150m/100m in under 10 minutes
35 sit-ups 15 push-ups
Theory: Water safety rules (1-10), First aid (1-8), Signals (1-9), Lifesaving (1-3)
Under 14 - Level 3
Run-swim-run: 150m/200m/150m in under 10 minutes
50 sit-ups 20 push-ups
Theory: Water safety rules (1-12), First aid (1-13), Signals (1-14), Lifesaving (1-4)

before the exam
Before being eligible to take the test, each Nipper must have completed their timed swim. These can be done with a qualified swim coach (please ask for the forms that need to be completed) or we can arrange a swim test at Kronendal pool. If the Nipper can make the swim times, there is no reason why they shouldn't comfortably be able to get through their awards test. Those not ready for the first test date, can work on their times for one of the subsequent tests. The timed swims for each test are as follows:

  • U10 - Level 1: swim 300m in under 8 minutes
    U12 - Level 2: swim 400m in under 10 minutes
    U14 - Level 3: swim 400m in under 9 minutes

training session information

sunday training
A reminder that all nippers must meet at the clubhouse before training - at 9.55am - important information is given out at this roll-call session and the nippers need to help carry their craft down to the beach. Training runs until 12/12.30pm and all craft must be taken back up to the clubhouse, cleaned and put away.

Nipper families are also invited to join us for a braai at the clubhouse after training. This is a great opportunity to get to know the Llandudno Lifesaving "family", so bring your braai-goodies down and socialize. The club bar will be open for refreshments!

wednesday training
Wednesday Competition Squad Training: On the beach from 6pm to 7pm.

Our Squad training session is held by our competition coach, Archie - who is there to give our competing nippers intense fitness and technical training. These sessions are not compulsory, but we seriously encourage all our competing nippers to attend. However, please note that this is not intended as a general additional training session and is for our competition squad ONLY.

NB** If the weather is lousy, training still takes place! We will concentrate on important theory work - Lifesavers work in any conditions!

what is training
Training takes the form of: General Fitness, Beach Work (sprints, runs, relays, flags), Sea Work (wade, swim, bodyboard, foam boards, malibu) and Theory (1st aid, signals)

safety rules for training sessions

  • stay with your group - let your manager know if you are going anywhere
  • listen to coaches & lifeguards / safety officers - they DO know what they are doing!
  • try everything, but don't be afraid to ask questions or let them know if you feel unsure
  • wear your skullcaps, especially in the sea, and return your skullcaps after training
  • craft - use only with permission, return and clean!
  • flags - swim only between the red & yellow flags
  • signal for help - one arm raised straight above your head (do not panic, stay calm)

communication

newsletters and website
We will be communicating via email, a noticeboard at the clubhouse and via the website , so please check the website and your email (also your Junk Email!) regularly to keep yourselves updated.

parent participation

Nippers is entirely run by volunteers, mostly nipper parents, who cater for all the activities that our children participate in. Without the help and support of parents there would be no nippers so we encourage all parents and guardians to join the club. This means that everyone can help, not just the people in "official" roles. We will have a roster for parents to help during training sessions, so please put your name down where you can. All nipper parents are expected to help with fundraising.

remember what it is all about!

  • To provide the best possible lifesaving experience for all youngsters with the view to encouraging long-term active participation in the club as future lifeguards.
  • To ensure the youngsters are safe on Cape beaches through the provision of surf safety education.
  • To develop a team based philosophy encompassing leadership, camaraderie, teamwork, and fun.
  • To promote social, emotional and physical growth and development in a healthy and safe environment.
  • To have fun!!!