Junior Water Safety

junior
water safety

Junior Activities Water Safety & Supervision

Welcome to your go-to guide for water safety and supervision in Junior Activities. This page brings together all the key policies, procedures, and safety expectations to ensure our youngest members can enjoy the beach in a safe, structured, and fun environment.

On this page, you’ll find:

Water safety requirements for Junior Activities – including minimum water safety ratios, visibility gear, and qualified personnel
The role and qualification of Water Safety Supervisors – what’s involved, who can supervise, and how to complete risk assessments
Aquatic Risk Check and Management Form – when and how to complete this mandatory safety check
Guidelines for U6 & U7 participants – including session length, supervision levels, equipment use, and safe activity planning
The Nipper Adult Assistant Induction (NAAI) Program

Water safety requirements for Junior Activities

Ensuring a safe and supportive environment for every Nipper

At Surf Life Saving Queensland, safety is at the heart of everything we do. Many of our Junior Activities include fun and skill-building in the water—and we have strong procedures in place to make sure every session is delivered with care, preparation, and the right supervision.

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.

Water Safety Supervisor

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 a documented risk assessment prior to the start of any water-based activity
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.

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
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

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

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.

water safety personnel

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.

As part of the water safety team, you’ll work closely with:

Water Safety Supervisors
Junior Activities Coordinators
First Aid Officers
Event officials and patrol teams

Together, you’ll provide the supervision and support that keeps our members safe and confident in the water.

Water Safety Requirements

To be part of the water safety team, you must:

Hold a Surf Rescue Certificate or Bronze Medallion
Be rostered and signed on appropriately
Be in suitable water safety uniform (e.g., high-vis rash vest, cap, etc.)

Minimum ratios apply:
For Junior Activities, there must be at least 1 qualified water safety officer for every 5 participants in the water.

Note: Your club or branch may have additional water safety coverage requirements. Always check local policies before an event.

Getting Qualified

Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC)

The Surf Rescue Certificate is an ideal entry point for members aged 13+ who want to get involved in water safety.

To complete the SRC, you must:

Be at least 13 years old
Swim 200 metres in under 5 minutes (pool-based swim)
Attend approx. 35 hours of training (delivered across several weeks at your club)

The SRC enables you to assist with water safety and is often the first step toward becoming a patrolling member.

Bronze Medallion (Certificate II in Public Safety – Aquatic Rescue)

The Bronze Medallion is the most recognised lifesaving qualification in Australia. It qualifies members to patrol, perform rescues, and supervise water-based activities at a higher level.

To complete the Bronze Medallion, you must:

Be at least 15 years old
Swim 400 metres in under 9 minutes (pool-based swim)
Attend approx. 40 hours of training (schedule set by your club)

Bronze Medallion holders are eligible to patrol, provide advanced water safety, and pursue further awards such as IRB Crew or Driver.

U6 & u7 water safety requirements

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.

To help clubs deliver a high-quality and compliant experience, the following guidelines apply to all U6/U7 Junior Activities sessions.

Key Safety and Participation Guidelines

1. Minimum Age Requirement

Children must be 5 years old before they can participate in Junior Activities.
Age is determined as of midnight, 30 September in the year of joining.
Children who turn 5 after this date can join mid-season but will remain in the U6 age group again the following year.
Clubs must sight proof of age (e.g. birth certificate) before accepting membership.

2. Session Duration

U6/U7 sessions should be shorter and less intensive than older age groups to match children’s attention spans and physical ability.
Clubs are encouraged to keep sessions flexible, engaging, and age-appropriate.

3. Parent Involvement and Supervision

Clubs may require additional parental support for these age groups.
Consideration should be given to increased duty of care, especially during transitions and water-based activities.

4. Distinctive Cap Colour

All U6 and U7 participants must wear a bright, easily identifiable cap (e.g. fluorescent green) that is clearly different from all other age groups.
This helps Age Managers and Water Safety personnel monitor younger children more effectively.

Water Activity Guidelines

5. Water Depth Restrictions

All U6/U7 water-based activities must be conducted in shallow water only—no deeper than knee height of the child.

6. Approved Equipment Use

Children may use club-issued foam boogie boards in shallow water (e.g. whitewash or broken waves only).
Boards must have no hard plastic, rails, or fins to ensure safety.

7. No Structured Competition

U6 and U7 Nippers must not take part in competitive activities.
All sessions should focus on social interaction, beach games, and confidence-building—never performance or competition.

nipper adult assistant induction (Naai)

Following the release of the NAA Induction in 2021/2022 there was a variety of feedback given to SLSQ Staff and the Junior Activities Advisory Panel (JAAP).

The feedback covered a range of information. One of the reoccurring pain points was the significant number of prerequisites in the initial release of the award.

The NAAI is to provide a non-fitness orientated position to allow members to contribute to the beach and aquatic supervision of our youngest nippers (U6 – U8 age groups). Nipper Adult Assistants are qualified to provide water supervision for wading and ‘shallow water’ activities to the age appropriate depth.

Course Prerequisites

To complete the SLSQ Nipper Adult Assistant Induction, Candidates must have met the following course pre-requisites:

Be a current financial member
Minimum of 18 years old at date of assessment
Hold a valid working with children suitability (Blue) Card which is linked to SLSQ
Complete the SLSQ Child and Youth Risk Management Strategies e-learning Course
Complete the SLSA Child Safe Awareness Course
Ability to float in water
Ability to swim 50m or more (freestyle)

Roles and Responsibilities

Attend Nipper activities safety brief prior to commencing daily duties;
Assist with supervision of Nippers (U6 to U8 age groups) on beach and/or in shallow water activities as directed by the Age Manager;
Be aware at all times of the safety and welfare of those involved in the activity and immediately report any concerns to the Age Manager;
Advise the Age Manager of any pre-existing ailments that may impact their participation or if their competency does not meet the activity requirements or conditions;
Not exceed their qualification or competency in the surf/ water zone; and
Be wearing the appropriate water supervision (NAA) uniform.

Key Activities

Wading (skills, individual races & relay races)
Body Boarding
Other shallow water activities identified by club or in the SLSQ Games Manual (discuss what activities your club do at Nippers in shallow water)

Uniform

A high visibility (fluorescent) bib style vest with “NAA” printed on the front and back.

Note: The colour is to be a fluoro green as per SLSQ High Visibility Clothing Policy MS13.

If the member chooses to wear a wetsuit, stinger suit or sun shirt, the high visibility (fluorescent) vest must be worn as the outer most garment (i.e. over top of the wetsuit or stinger suit).

NAAI online assessment portfolio

naai process flowchart

NAA Surf Awareness