Nippers Championship

AussieGirl · 11-21-2009, 06:55 PM

We had Championship day today, the first 6 places in each event get points, and they are then tallied up DD managed to place:
5th in Sprints
6th in the Wade (they run out into the water, go around two markers and return to the finish line)
3rd in Flags and
6th in the Marathon
so she got points for each event that she entered - no trophies this year though I am still very proud of her. She made me laugh with the marathon the other kids finished crying and panting (poor things) they pushed themselves so hard and my little dreamer finished with a grin on her face lol barely breathing any heavier, she is just not very competitive

Ron · 11-21-2009, 07:27 PM

hmm are we talking about your skin kid or the pup?

lol

AussieGirl · 11-21-2009, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron

hmm are we talking about your skin kid or the pup?

lol

7 yr old skin kid

Ruby wouldn't make a very good member of the Surf Lifesaving Club lol, she wont go in water where she can't touch the ground and she would spend her time walking up and down the beach looking to get her tummy or ear scratched or a scrap of food lol she would also be off after any balls that humans may be playing with.
Surf Life Saving Australia-Nippers

This was on the news the other week about a couple of Nippers in Adelaide.

KeeperBoy · 11-22-2009, 07:40 AM

How cool! Is that something she will stay involved in or is it just for younger kids?

Ron · 11-22-2009, 08:39 AM

ahhh that is cool

Spyglass Sally · 11-22-2009, 12:34 PM

That looks like a lot of fun and a great thing to learn and do as well!

Doreen · 11-22-2009, 04:54 PM

Awwww... what a trooper... that is good that she is still smiling!!! Great experiences whether you come in first or wherever.

AussieGirl · 11-22-2009, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeeperBoy

How cool! Is that something she will stay involved in or is it just for younger kids?

The Surf Life Saving Clubs like to encourage involvment throught their whole lives, whether they actually stick with it is of course up to them. They have nippers for children aged 5-13 yrs old this is where they learn the different aspects of beach/surf safety learning how to spot rips and other dangerous hazards when they are old enough first aid and resuscitation is taught too(starting at Under 10's from memory), learn how to use what we call "Nipper Boards" which is small versions of the rescue boards the life savers use, body surfing, wave diving, ocean swims and other beach based things like sprints, marathons, flags. In their last year (the under 14's) they are working at achieving their Surf Rescue Certificate which is an introductory award for patrolling surf lifesavers and allows them to take part in beach patrols.
After Nippers they then move up to Senior Club Members and can still compete in surf sport competition for their club as well as being on patrol. There are quite alot of parents who still compete in the surf sport competitions.....just one of those things depends how much they love it as to how far they go with it. I just wanted them to know how to be safe at the beach (I know they are going to get to teens and want to go to the beach with their friends and I will feel better knowing that they know how to stay safe) if they then decide to go on and do their Surf Rescue Certificate I will be even more pleased that they are giving back to the community and doing something worthwhile.
Alot of the beaches in Australia are patrolled by volunteer Life Savers and Nippers is in a way a recruiting process to keep the clubs alive with active patrol members, and the kids have a ball!

nikita&memo · 11-22-2009, 11:29 PM

Gizelle, that sounds like something my kids would thoroughly enjoy!!
haha..i have one of those 'non competitive, dreamer' types...my 1oyr old dd LOL

Doreen · 11-23-2009, 08:20 AM

Do you also have paid lifeguards? That is all we have here.