|
~ home
~ Junior Surf report 6th November 2005 Welcome to the 05/06 Junior Surf season.. Let’s hope we have a warmer start to this one, than the last one. Our Junior Surf programme is developed to encourage all children to have fun, participate safely, and develop skills and confidence, in the surf life saving spirit of fair play. We welcome back all our regulars, and extend a warm welcome to all our new members. Our club aims to provide a friendly and supportive environment for children and parents alike. Currently
our programme is split into 3 main groups: The NEMOS work through a fun based programme building on any skills the child brings to the programme. There are land and water based activities, with an emphasis on gaining skills and confidence, to enable the child to move on to the next group. The SHARKS work on achieving more confidence in land and water skills, and also work their way towards gaining their level certificates. At this level there is a compulsory 200metre safety swim to be completed before they can use paddleboards, thus proving their competence in the ocean, and ability to return to shore if they get separated from their board. The GROMMETS continue working on land and water skills, with an introduction to some basic first-aid skills, as well. Later in the year some children will be selected to join the ROOKIE programme, which introduces them to patrolling, and some basic lifeguard skills. These children are selected to be part of the ROOKIE programme taking into consideration their age, skills, attitude, and knowledge. This programme is a privilege, not a right. This year we have a coaching team of 10 dedicated, hardworking people. These are mainly parents, who have decided to give up their time and energy to help teach your child, so please offer them your help, support, and encouragement. In line with this, we require a parent/caregiver to stay at the beach with each child at all times, unless the coach advises otherwise. This is not only so you can be part of your child’s learning, but it also a requirement of our risk management. If you cannot stay, and your child does not have an adult caregiver with them, then they will not be able to stay at the beach. At this stage training is every Sunday from 10-30-12-30. Your child’s coach may change this to suit, but they will advise you. We also move venues to Taurikura, when the tide, weather, or conditions are not suitable, but again the coach will let you know. So please have a phone number(landline) that you can be contacted on. Your child
will need to bring: Togs and towel During the surf season we have 2 carnivals that we traditionally attend, and compete in. The first is the Ruakaka Carnival on 14th-15th January, and the second is the age group champs at Orewa, on 12th February. These are a lot of fun for everyone, and the Ruakaka event will also be showcasing adult competition, in which some of our club lifeguards, and previous juniorsurfers, will be competing. Fees this season have been set at $30-00 per child, or $50-00 per family. These are due now, but if there’s a problem please see me know sooner rather than later. Our newsletter would not be complete without mentioning our Chief Executive Officer in charge of Catering, A.K.A. “the sausage lady”. Jane cooks fabulous sausages every week for the small charge of $1-00 a pop. She will take your order, and money before the session starts and your sausage will be waiting for you at the end. FABULOUS!! Lastly, a couple of house rules. Please respect the lifeguards and their space. They are at the club to do a valuable job, and need to be allowed to do it. If they ask you to move, or quieten down, it’s usually for a valid reason e.g. they are observing the beach, or they need to use the radio, so please be aware of this. This season we have a number of young guards on board with our programme, and they will be extremely valuable as mentors and role models, for our young lifeguards-to-be. If you have any queries regarding this newsletter, or the programme in general, please feel free to speak to me, or your child’s coach. AND DON’T FORGET HAVE AN AWESOME TIME AT OUR BEACH, BUT BE CAREFUL. IF IN DOUBT- STAY OUT!
|