1. Policy Purpose
The President’s Challenge is a traditional annual Nipper event that involves participants paddling a 2.5km course from Scotts Point to Suttons Beach.
The purpose of this policy is to provide a clear, fair, and consistent framework for the selection and participation of Junior members in the President’s Challenge.
This policy aims to ensure fairness, transparency, and merit-based selection, as well as the safety of participants.
2. Scope
This policy applies to all U11 to U14 Junior Activities members who are eligible to participate in the President’s Challenge, and their parents or guardians.
3. Responsibilities
Implementation and compliance with this policy is the responsibility of the Junior Activities Committee (JAC), under the oversight of the Management Committee.
4. Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to participate in the President’s Challenge, Nippers must meet the following criteria:
4.1 Financial Membership
- Nippers must be registered and financial members of RPSLSC for the current season.
4.2 Age Requirements
- Only Nippers only from U11-U14 age groups are eligible to participate in the President’s Challenge.
4.3 Proficiency & Competition Evaluation
- Nippers must have completed the relevant Preliminary AND Competition evaluations for their age group.
5. Nominations
5.1 Call for Nominations
- The Junior Activities Coordinator and/or Age Managers will issue a call for entries and provide relevant details.
5.2 Participant Nomination
- Nippers must notify the Junior Activities Coordinator or Age Manager of their nomination by the published deadline.
- Nippers who are not nominated by the published deadline will not be eligible to participate.
6. Selection Process
6.1 Selection Committee
- Comprises Junior Activities Chair, Board Coach(es), and Age Managers.
- Selections are made by majority decision and are final.
- The committee may revise selections at any time at its discretion.
6.2 Participant Numbers
- Participants number may be limited due to:
- Compliance with 1:5 ratio of Water Safety to participants
- Availability of boards provided by the club
- Water conditions as determined by the Water Safety Supervisor or Patrol Captain on duty.
6.5 Selection Criteria
Selections are based on the following:
- Participants are selected by age group commencing with U14s followed by U13s, U12s, and finally U11s.
- Availability and willingness to compete
- Demonstrated ability during Nipper Sunday board sessions
6.11 Removal from event
A competitor may be removed from the event for the following:
- Breach of this policy or other Club/SLSQ/SLSA policies.
- Breach of the SLSQ Member Code of Conduct.
- Injury or illness impacting performance or safety.
7. Notification of Selection
- Nippers selected to participate in the President’s Challenge will be notified prior to the event.
- Follow-up notifications will be sent via email to the nominated parent/guardian.
8. Equipment
8.2 Availability of club supplied boards
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- The club owns a limited stock of boards of each type. Participants who use boards supplied by the club are not guaranteed the type of board that is permitted for their age group. For example, if there are more U11-U13 participants than available fibreglass Nipper boards, some participants may need to use a foam Nipper board.
- U13s and U14s may use a racing mal. U14s to be provided priority to select club supplied racing mals.
8.3 Board selection by participants
- If necessary, to avoid disputes over specific boards, selection of boards will be completed by a rundown draw of names.
- If the weight of a board is known, participants should select a board that is appropriate for their weight.
8.4 Use of personal equipment
- Participants may use their personal boards as per SLSA 1036 Junior Board Guide.
9. Safety
- The Junior Activities Chair, Coaches or Age Managers reserve the right to withhold a competitor from an event if safety concerns exist.
- Participants must demonstrate appropriate ocean awareness and paddling ability.
- Participants must follow the directions of the Water Safety team and return to the beach if instructed to do so.
- The Patrol Captain on duty has the authority to limit participants or cancel the event if they determine that the beach and ocean conditions are unsafe.
10. Appeals & Complaints
10.1 Conduct Expectations
- Negative comments about selection or other participants are not permitted.
- Poor sportsmanship or “sledging” will result in removal from events or the beach.
- Parents must not approach Coaches, Age Managers, or other parents with complaints.
10.2 Appeals Process
- No appeals will be considered for participation in the President’s Challenge.
11. Awards
- There are two winners of the President’s Challenge categorised by the type of board:
- 1 x Mal board winner (U13/U14)
- 1 x Nipper board winner (U11-U13)
- The winners will be the first Male or Female participants to finish in each category.
- Winners will receive an individual trophy, and have their names engraved on the perpetual President’s Challenge trophy, which will be presented at the end of season Nipper Awards.
12. 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: 28 September 2025
Next Review Date: 31 July 2026