Ensuring a safe and supportive environment for every Nipper

At Surf Life Saving Queensland, safety is at the heart of everything we do.

Here’s what you need to know to ensure your group is safe, supported, and ready for action.

Pre-Session Requirements

Risk Assessments are essential.
Before any water-based training begins, a documented risk assessment must be completed for the area being used. You can access the relevant form through SLSA Policy 1.01 – Water Safety.

Water Safety Coverage

All Junior Activities involving water require formal water safety supervision.

To meet minimum requirements, SLSQ mandates:

• 1 qualified water safety officer per 5 participants
• All water safety personnel must hold the appropriate awards
• Clubs must ensure safety coverage is tailored to the group’s size, activity type, and conditions

Your Branch Junior Activities Chairperson may have additional local guidelines—always check for any updates or branch-specific requirements.

What to Wear in the Water

All Nippers participating in competition or open water activities must wear high-visibility clothing, including:

• A hot pink rash vest (compulsory for competitors)
• Check your local branch policy for additional uniform requirements

Refer to the SLSQ MS13 – High Visibility Clothing Policy for full details.

Signing On and Record Keeping

To support safety and accountability, all participants and personnel must sign on before starting their session.

• Records can be kept by the Age Manager, Coach, or Water Safety Coordinator
• Standard patrol logbooks or club attendance systems can be used

Water Safety Qualifications

Water safety personnel must:

• Hold the correct SLSQ qualifications
• Be approved by the club before taking part
• Be included in the session’s planning to ensure the right ratio and coverage

Patrol Hour Accreditation

Members rostered to water safety can have their time officially recorded if approved by their club:

• Clubs must decide at the start of the season whether water safety hours will be accredited
• These decisions should be minuted by the club committee
• Hours must be accurately logged for patrol recognition

Even if patrol hour accreditation doesn’t apply, recording time volunteered by all water safety personnel is encouraged. These contributions can be recognised at season-end presentations and in your club’s annual report.

As a Water Safety Supervisor, you play a vital role in keeping our members safe during all water-based training and activities.

Whether you’re overseeing a Nippers session, supporting club training, or managing a larger event, your leadership ensures the right supervision is in place—and that all activities meet Surf Life Saving Australia’s safety requirements.

Your Role and Responsibilities

As the Water Safety Supervisor, you are responsible for:

• Implementing appropriate water safety coverage during all Junior Activities and club training sessions
• Leading and coordinating the water safety team, ensuring each person is qualified and ready
• Completing Aquatic Risk Check and Management Form
• Working closely with key club personnel such as Patrol Captains, Lifeguards, Coaches, and Junior Activities Coordinators
• Ensuring SLSA policies and procedures are followed and adapted to your local conditions

This role is essential in promoting a safe, structured, and responsive environment for everyone participating in water-based training.

Final Note

Water Safety Supervisors are at the heart of safe aquatic operations. By leading risk assessments and managing supervision, you help deliver professional, compliant, and enjoyable experiences for all participants.

If you’re taking on this important role, ensure you’re supported with the right training, resources, and communication with your Junior Activities or Club Management team.

Behind every surf lifesaving activity is a team of dedicated Water Safety Personnel ensuring every child, athlete, and member is safe in and around the water. Whether you’re supporting Junior Activities or surf sports events, your role is crucial to our success on the sand and in the surf.

Surf Life Saving Queensland is committed to creating a safe, supportive, and engaging environment for all young members—especially those in the Under 6 and Under 7 age groups. These early years are about building confidence, having fun, and introducing beach safety in a gentle and playful way.

SLSQ U8 Board Training

1. Criteria

Under 8 Nippers participating in activities within Surf Life Saving Queensland affiliated clubs are approved to use an SLSA approved Soft “Nipper” Board on both Nipper & Training days, ONLY when ALL the following conditions are complied with:

• Prior to any training, the Under 9 Preliminary Evaluations must be completed.
• A completed Under 9 Junior Activity Competency Record needs to be kept in the Documents section on Surfguard or the Club JAC can keep a registered list within your clubhouse. Please note you must not raise an Under 9 award in Surfguard.
• Training can commence from 1st January each year – (Exception North Queensland Branch from 1st August).
• Under no circumstance can an Under 8 compete in ANY competition board event.
• U8s on boards must be conducted on flat water only, NOT in surf conditions. (The definition of flat water can be found in Section 2 of this policy below).
• Participants must be Active, Financial members.
• The Club Risk Assessment must be completed by the coach and maintained as current.
• All U8 Board Training must be approved by the clubs Management Committee.
  NOTE: The training approval form specifically requests the Age Group and Location to be provided.
• Correct Water Safety is in place

Clubs should provide U8’s with an introduction to Soft “Nipper” Boards as per the SLSA learner plan
prior to any approved training session or at the end of the season prior to entering the Under 9 age
group.

2. Flat Water Definition

Flat water is defined as; Water with no or little current, little wind influence and very small waves.

Hazards are minimal and there is ready access to safe landing. The Risk Assessable elements to determination of flat water for the conduct of Under 8 Board training are explained in the below table.

If any control limit is exceeded, then Under 8’s on Boards cannot go ahead.

Any members taking part in Under 8 on soft nipper boards need to acknowledge this is taking place
on the overall Club Risk Assessment document.

The Nipper Safety Assistant award (NSA) is designed to assist clubs with additional resources for water safety during Nippers. This Award allows individuals who do not hold a Surf Rescue Certificate or Bronze
Medallion to support water safety personnel during Nipper activities under certain conditions.

All members must follow the SLSA Water Safety Procedure, or the State Equivalent, as a minimum when providing water safety services for members activities.

Read more here

Aquatic Risk Check and Management Form

Your essential tool for managing water safety risk

Before any water-based activity begins, the Aquatic Risk Check and Management Form must be completed. This form is:

• Mandatory for all Surf Life Saving water activities
• Required for use by accredited Water Safety Supervisors, Coaches, Activity Leaders, or Training Officers
• Designed to identify and manage risks based on local conditions

Activities covered include:

• Junior Activities and member training sessions
• Public programs and education sessions
• Surf sports competition activities

The form ensures a thorough review of environmental conditions, participant needs, and available resources before any session starts.

Where to Access the Form

You can complete the form:

• Through the SLSA Members Portal
  Go to: Library > Governance > Policies, Forms, SOPs > Forms > SLSA

Club and Branch Responsibilities

• Branches regulate use of the Aquatic Risk Check Form to ensure compliance across all clubs
• Clubs must ensure every water-based activity begins with a recorded risk assessment
• Branches may apply additional requirements, so always check with your local branch for updates or procedures specific to your area

• As a mobile app, for use directly on the beach or training area

To access the app:

• Download and complete the F049 – IT Systems Access Form via the Members Portal
• Once approved, you’ll be able to complete risk assessments from your mobile device in real-time

The following beach layout is a possible way to set up beach operations during a normal nipper day.