|
Questions |
Answers |
|
Who can I contact in regards to my, or my participan's varying needs, or if I need access to Beach Matting, Adaptive Technology, Parking, Beach Wheelchairs, etc.) |
|
|
Do I need to be there to support my Child? |
- Yes – No one knows your child better than you - We require a parent or carer to be there to support the child during nippers
|
|
Do I \ they wear the Wanda uniform so they feel part of the club? |
- Wanda has a strong One-Club culture – Across, Juniors, Senior and Masters - Participants will wear a Wanda Uniform and are a part of the Wanda family
- Registration includes Cap and Hi-Vis Rash Shirt - Same as other members (All age groups have different caps for identification - Red Fins have their own cap)
- We are not separate and the kids will have the opportunity to do the 5 Nipper events each week - Swim, Board, Wade, Sprint & Flags and do the education session that every other nipper does
- There is lots of Wanda apparel (Swag) for sale too - Swimwear, Towel, Bags. etc.
|
|
What do I bring? |
- Swimwear (Wetsuit if needed)(PFD if needed)
- Nipper Cap
- Towel
- Goggles
- Sunscreen (Apply at home)
- Hydration
- Anything needed to deal with sensory needs (e.g. Water bottle or wipes to remove sand, Towel for laying on sand, Ear muffs if sound is an issue, etc.)
|
|
How do you encourage reluctant kids? |
- Our philosophy is about participating and having fun - We try to get the particpants to set their own limits and encourage them to break through them - It can be a slow start, but they all make progress across the season.
|
|
What should I do if there’s a meltdown, refusal, we’re having a bad day or running late? |
- We take our lead from the Parents or Carer on the beach - If at any time your child needs a break, that's ok.
- Some days just don't work at all, so don't feel pressured to be there (or even On-time) if there's a refusal/meltdown going on - There's always next week, and sometime just getting there is the "Win"
|
|
My children love the beach but we aren't that used to waves. |
- Red Fins is an Inclusive \ Relaxed Program - We work with you and the child on their goals - We are about having fun, participating and making friends, not trying to become the next NutriGrain Ironmen\Women
|
|
Can I transition my Child into the mainstream Nipper \ Surf Sportsprogram? |
- Yes - Red Fins is a side by side program that runs at the same time as mainstream nippers - We operate as an age group and do all the same activities other age groups do. Kids can move between mainstream and Red Fins (needs to be organized & tracked for safety purposes) and we can provide support for transitioning to mainstream full time - Normally in the new year
|
|
We were hoping that whilst at Red Fins our child could join in with their age group with support, to allow for socialisation and not feeling segregated. |
- Red Fins is a side by side program that runs at the same time as mainstream nippers - We are not segregated, and operate as an age group and do all the same activities other age groups do – There is plenty of socialisation
- This also means that Siblings can join the mainstream Wanda Nippers program at the same time
|
|
My Child is a competent swimmer - Will they be able to do the Swim and Board activities like other kids their age? |
- Yes – They will be able do the Swim and Board event with other kids in the Red Fins group – We have other kids that are capable in the water, and we can discuss swimming proficiencies - More down below
|
|
Are they able to participate in the beach training outside of Nippers i.e. Sandhills and Athletics track and the Water training?
|
- Yes - The Participant will have to be proficient to go in the water and be ok with operating with a reduced level of supervision during the training sessions, however we don’t send them out into the sand hills alone
|
|
Helping Out? |
- Like most sports, Nippers runs on Volunteers and the more help we have, the smoother things run and more fun the kids will have each week
- At a minimum – Please be prepared to get a little wet helping out at the water’s edge
- Put your hand up to become an Assistant Age Manager for the group and we welcome additional volunteers
- If you have a carer or therapist that you work with – They are welcomed to help out too
|
|
Helping Out – Becoming Water Safety for the Red Fins
|
- It would be great to have additional dedicated water safety on our team – I encourage you to consider completing the Bronze Medallion award and becoming a qualified Surf Life Saver – The course is free and you’ll learn CPR, First Aid and Surf Awareness as well as learning Surf Rescue techniques
- You do not need to be an athlete to complete the Bronze Medallion – Many people in the club have completed the requirements (Including myself) and you will gain a base level of fitness during the course - Let me know if you’re interested
|
|
Do we compete? |
- Once a year we join up with the other Inclusive Nipper groups in our local area and run a Funday Carnival – This is a chance for the kids to experience a carnival that supports their needs and is followed up a sausage sizzle and every kids gets a medal
- On the same day as the Funday carnival – The Local 4-Way Carnival will be taking place – There will be inclusive events at this carnival for those that want to compete at a higher level
- The Wanda One Club Carnival runs each year and includes inclusive events
- Other carnivals run across the season inclusive events – including Branch, State and Aussies - If you are interested in competing – Let me known
|
|
What is a Proficiency? |
- SLSA Australia has strict Water Safety Ratios for Children at Nippers
- Water Safety is provided by a Bronze Medallion Holder - This is why we encourage parents to get their Bronze
- Children are placed into 2 categories - Proficient and Non-Proficient.
- Children that are not Proficient, have a 1:1 Water Safety ratio requirement when in the water
- Children that are Proficient have a 5:1 (or better) Water Safety ratio requirement when in the water
- Children ages 8 and under do not go into water deeper than waist depth
- Nobody goes into the Water when the beach is closed by the Council Lifeguards or the Active Patrol at Wanda
|
|
Does my Child need to be Proficient? |
- There is no pressure for our kids to become “proficient”, kids that are not “proficient’ will continue to receive 1:1 Water Safety from a qualified Lifesaver when in the water
- There is no pressure for any of the children in the Red Fins program to become proficient unless they want to give it a go, and there is no pressure at Wanda for any child to complete their proficiency - We will offer guidance, support, and encouragement for any child that wants to attempt their proficiency.
|
|
If not Proficient, then what? |
- I do an assessment of each child’s capabilities in the water – I’m guided by the parents knowledge – Please let me know where you think you child is on the following list of capabilities
- From a standing position in waist-deep water, perform a front glide, kick for 3m and recover to a secure position
- Perform a back or front float for a few seconds and recover to a secure position
- Float for 1 minute – Unaided
- Swim 25m – Any Stroke - No Time limit
- Float for 2 minutes – Un-aided
- Swim 50m – Any Stroke - No Time limit
- Float for 3 minutes – Un-aided
- Swim 100m – Any Stroke - No Time limit
- Some kids will be capable of becoming “Competition Proficient” by participating in an untimed 200m Open Water Swim – We can discuss this individually as we move forward during the season
|