October 2020 - Nippers update

October 11th saw the start of the 2020 nippers’ season at South Maroubra.
This year the pre-season preparations have focused on the safety of our members with the Covid pandemic still hanging over us. Split start times, Covid safety plans, marshalls, social distancing and hand sanitising are just some of the requirements this season and all the volunteers that help put on nippers each week have been incredible in making this happen.
 
The first two weekends ran very smoothly with our nippers heading straight to their zones and learning the new skills from the surf education syllabus. Each age group is getting plenty of water time with many proficiencies completed. One of the limitations this year is that if the beach is closed due to large surf, we must cancel nippers for that day as per our Covid safety plan. Where previously we could utilise the clubhouse or take groups to the lifeguard tower, with the current restrictions these options are no longer viable.
 
With the additional requirements this year we need extra people to jump in and help out. The only people allowed into the zones are those that have a current Bronze Medallion or Age Manager awards.
The AM award is available online through the portal https://sls.com.au/role/age-manager/
Holding this award will provide support to your Age Manager and improve the delivery of the program to the nippers.
 
Interviews for the South Maroubra Junior Club Captain’s positions will be held this week with a very strong list of candidates from the Under 14 age group. The position is a great opportunity for these young lifesavers to provide support and leadership to all the nippers at South Maroubra. I wish the best of luck to all the candidates.
 
The start to this season has certainly being an interesting one but with the adaptability and enthusiasm of the whole team at South Maroubra Surf Club it is shaping up to be another great one.
 
A big congratulations for the nippers that graduated with their SRC in September. They started in February and had to wait a few months before being able to finish it off. A big thanks to the education team for holding some long refresher weekend sessions before putting the students to the test. A fresh bunch of Under 14’s have started the SRC course last week so we wish them luck.
 
Keep an eye out for our SRC’s selling meat tray raffle tickets each week, with fund-raising opportunities limited this year, not only could you win dinner for the family, you are helping raise valuable funds for the Nipper section of the club.
 
See you at the beach.
 
Greg Turton
Director of Youth Development