1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure the safety of all participants in the Redcliffe Peninsula Surf Life Saving Club Junior Activities (Nipper) Program by establishing minimum aquatic proficiency requirements for participation.

As a volunteer organisation, the Club has a duty of care to all participants and must operate within the supervision resources available. These requirements are designed to ensure that all Nippers can participate safely in the surf environment while enabling the Club to effectively manage its volunteer water safety resources.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all children seeking to enrol or participate in the Redcliffe Peninsula Surf Life Saving Club Junior Activities (Nipper) Program.

3. Preliminary Pool Evaluation

All prospective Nippers must successfully complete the Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) Preliminary Pool Evaluation before being accepted into the Junior Activities Program.

The SLSQ Preliminary Pool Evaluation assesses whether a child has the minimum swimming ability and water confidence required to safely participate in the Nipper Program.

Children who do not successfully complete the Preliminary Pool Evaluation:

  • will not be accepted into the Junior Activities Program for that season;
  • are encouraged to undertake further swimming lessons and water confidence training; and
  • may request a further Preliminary Pool Evaluation during the season, subject to enrolment availability and the availability of a qualified assessor.

This requirement applies to all age groups without exception.

4. Beach Evaluation

Following successful completion of the Preliminary Pool Evaluation, all Nippers must complete the annual Beach Evaluation in accordance with Surf Life Saving Queensland requirements.

Nippers who successfully complete the Beach Evaluation may participate in all age-appropriate water activities.

5. Nippers Who Do Not Pass the Beach Evaluation

A Nipper who successfully completes the Preliminary Pool Evaluation but does not successfully complete the Beach Evaluation may continue to participate in the Junior Activities Program only under the following conditions:

  • The Nipper must have dedicated one-to-one (1:1) water safety supervision during every water-based activity, including training sessions, and any other Club-approved water activities.
  • The Nipper is not eligible to participate in competition events unless they have successfully completed the required Redcliffe Peninsula Surf Life Saving Club Competition Evaluation and any other applicable competition proficiency requirements set out by Surf Life Saving QLD.  
  • The supervising person must be the Nipper’s parent or legal guardian.
  • The parent or guardian must hold a current and proficient Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC) or Bronze Medallion recognised by Surf Life Saving Australia.
  • The parent or guardian must remain with, and be solely responsible for, the supervision of their child for the entire duration of every water activity.
  • The parent or guardian must comply with all directions issued by the Water Safety Coordinator, Patrol Captain, Age Manager or other authorised Club official.

Where a parent or guardian meeting these requirements is not available, the Nipper must not participate in water-based activities.

6. Club Resources

Redcliffe Peninsula Surf Life Saving Club is a volunteer-based organisation and is unable to provide dedicated one-to-one supervision for individual participants.

The Club’s Water Safety Personnel are responsible for the safety of all participants and must maintain appropriate supervision across all age groups and activities. Club Water Safety resources cannot be allocated exclusively to supervise an individual Nipper.

Accordingly, the Club will not provide substitute supervision where a parent or guardian is unable to meet the requirements of this policy.

7. Parent and Guardian Responsibilities

Parents and guardians are responsible for:

  • ensuring their child attends a Nipper Sign-On Day and successfully completes the Preliminary Pool Evaluation;
  • ensuring their child attends the annual Beach Evaluation;
  • providing a qualified parent or guardian where required under this policy;
  • maintaining the currency and proficiency of any required Surf Rescue Certificate or Bronze Medallion award; and
  • complying with all directions issued by Club officials.

8. Responsibilities of Club Officials

Age Managers, Coaches, Water Safety Personnel and other authorised Club officials must:

  • enforce this policy consistently and fairly;
  • ensure only eligible Nippers participate in water activities;
  • verify that any required parent or guardian supervision is in place before permitting participation;
  • immediately exclude a Nipper from a water activity where the supervision requirements of this policy are not being met; and
  • refer any requests for exemptions to the Junior Activities Chair.

9. Exceptions

No Age Manager, Coach, Water Safety Officer or Committee Member has the authority to waive the requirements of this policy.

Any request for an exception must be submitted to the Management Committee in writing within 30 days of the Nipper not successfully completing the Preliminary Pool Evaluation or Beach Evaluation. Each request will be considered on its own merits and assessed on a case-by-case basis.

In considering any request, the Management Committee’s primary consideration will be the safety of the participant, other Nippers, volunteers, Water Safety Personnel, and the Club’s ability to deliver the Junior Activities Program safely within its available volunteer resources.

Approval of an exception in one circumstance does not create a precedent and does not oblige the Management Committee to approve any future request. 

Any exception may only be approved by the Management Committee where permitted under Surf Life Saving Queensland policy, applicable legislation and the Club’s insurers.

10. Guiding Principle

The safety of every child is the Club’s highest priority.

The Preliminary Pool Evaluation establishes the minimum standard required for entry into the Junior Activities Program. The Beach Evaluation confirms a Nipper’s ability to safely participate in the surf environment.

These requirements protect not only the individual participant but also other Nippers, volunteers and Water Safety Personnel, and ensure the Club can deliver the Junior Activities Program safely and effectively within its available volunteer resources.

11. Policy Review

This policy is to be reviewed annually by the Junior Activities Committee to ensure continued relevance and effectiveness. Feedback from parents, coaches, and members will be considered during each review cycle.

Approved by: Management Committee, Redcliffe Peninsula SLSC
Date: 27th July 2026
Next Review Date: 30th September 2027