Proficiency Requirements
As many of the activities that children participate in as part of nippers are conducted in open water, Surf Life Saving Australia has a minimum standard for junior skills evaluation (proficiency) and education for all children taking part in nippers. Wanda Nippers has adapted these, see the table below for details or click here to view our Junior Skills Evaluation and Education policy>>
The 2022/23 Season full proficiency requirements can be viewed here
| Age Group |
Preliminary Evaluation |
Competition Evaluation* |
| U6 |
Push and glide from wall, recover to stand (distance 1-2 metres)
Wade through water (distance 5 metres)
Float on back or front (5 seconds), recover to stand
Submerge to retrieve object from bottom of pool with hands |
Nil (no competition) |
| U7 |
Push and glide from wall, recover to stand (distance 2-3 metres)
Wade through water (distance 5 metres)
Float on back or front (5 seconds), recover to stand
Submerge to retrieve object from bottom of pool with hands |
Nil (no competition) |
| U8 |
25 metre pool swim (any stroke)
Underwater swim (2 – 3 metres)
Tread water (1.5 minutes)
Submerge to retrieve object from bottom of pool with hands |
Nil (no water competition except for wade in waist deep water) |
| U9-U10 |
200 metre pool swim (Untimed)
Tread water (2 minutes)
Submerge to retrieve object from bottom of pool with hands |
200 metre pool swim (less than 6 minutes)
Tread water (2 minutes)
Submerge to retrieve object from bottom of pool with hands &
150 metre ocean swim (untimed) |
| U11-U14 |
200 metre pool swim (Untimed)
Tread water (3 minutes)
Forward or backward roll/somersault underwater, recover to surface, followed by submerge to retrieve object from bottom of pool with hands |
200 metre pool swim (less than 5 minutes)
Tread water (3 minutes)
Forward or backward roll/somersault underwater, recover to surface, followed by submerge to retrieve object from bottom of pool with hands
&
200 metre ocean swim (untimed) |
| Notes |
Every junior member is required to satisfy the Preliminary Evaluation requirements for their Age Group prior to participating in Nipper Day water activities or water-based training activities |
For U9+, the Competition Evaluation must be achieved before being eligible to participate in:
- Swim, Board & Ironperson events on Wanda JAG Championship days - Carnivals (Water OR Beach events) |
*The Competition Evaluation must be completed around a competition course
**U9+ nippers must wear a pink high-vis rash vest while completing the ocean swim. A wetsuit is optional.
***U9+ nippers who have not achieved competition evaluation (but do have the preliminary evaluation) can take part in beach and wade activities on Sunday’s and at training, as well as specifically designed water hesitant programs with a higher water safety ratio. They can take part in beach sprint, flags and wade events on Championship Days.
Hesitant Nippers
Some children will feel nervous and unsure about the proficiency swim. We encourage you to bring your child to one of the proficiency days – there are plenty of other children doing the swim, as well as lots of water safety and older children on hand to help calm their nerves. Children must do the swim unaided, but support will be nearby.
In the event your child is unable to complete the requirements there will be other opportunities to complete proficiency once nippers starts - keep an eye on the Wanda Nipper News emails for details.
For U8-U14 age groups, if your child does not meet the pool swim and float requirements, they may only take part in beach activities at nippers.
In the event your child is hesitant, scared or upset about the ocean swim, or does not meet the ocean swim requirements (U9+ age groups), let them do the pool swim for now. Then come along to the first weeks of nippers where they can take part in beach activities and wade activities, but are encouraged and supported to become fully proficient.
Questions and help
Water Confidence Program Manager