Proficiencies
PLEASE NOTE: There is no need to book in for proficiencies – simply turn up on the day. Many of the activities that children participate in as part of nippers are conducted in open water. Surf Life Saving Australia has a minimum standard for junior skills evaluation (proficiency) and education for all children taking part in nippers.
Under 8s to Under 14s must complete their Pool and Ocean Swim Proficiency requirements
| AGE | PRELIMINARY EVALUATION | COMPETITION EVALUATION* |
|---|---|---|
| U6 | U6 Push and glide from wall, recover to stand (distance 1-2 metres) Wade through water (distance 5 metres) Float on back or front (5 seconds), recover to stand. Submerge to retrieve object from bottom of pool with hands Nil (no competition) | Nil (no competition) |
| U7 | Push and glide from wall, recover to stand (distance 2-3 metres) Wade through water (distance 5 metres) Float on back or front (5 seconds), recover to stand. Submerge to retrieve object from bottom of pool with hands. | Nil (no competition) |
| U8 | 25 metre pool swim (any stroke) Underwater swim (2 – 3 metres) Tread water (1.5 minutes) Submerge to retrieve object from bottom of pool with hands | Nil (no water competition except for wade in waist deep water) |
| U9 & U10 | 200 metre pool swim (Untimed) Tread water (2 minutes) Submerge to retrieve object from bottom of pool with hands. 150 metre ocean swim (untimed) | 200 metre pool swim (less than 6 minutes) Tread water (2 minutes) Submerge to retrieve object from bottom of pool with hands & 150 metre ocean swim (untimed) |
| U11 – U14 | 200 metre pool swim (Untimed) Tread water (3 minutes) Forward or backward roll/somersault underwater, recover to surface, followed by submerge to retrieve object from bottom of pool with hands. 200 metre ocean swim (untimed) | 200 metre pool swim (less than 5 minutes) Tread water (3 minutes) Forward or backward roll/somersault underwater, recover to surface, followed by submerge to retrieve object from bottom of pool with hands 200 metre ocean swim (untimed) |
| NOTES | Every junior member is required to satisfy the Preliminary Evaluation requirements for their Age Group prior to participating in Nipper Day water activities or water-based training activities | For U9+, the Competition Evaluation must be achieved before being eligible to participate in: Swim, Board & Iron person events Board Training Carnivals (Water OR Beach events) |
*The Competition Evaluation must be completed around a competition course
**U9+ nippers must wear a pink high-vis rash vest while completing the ocean swim. A wetsuit is optional.
Nippers must be registered prior to attending proficiencies.
All Nippers U6-U14 need to complete proficiency each year.
Dates for 2025/2026 Proficiencies are:
- Saturday 6th September – 12pm-2pm
- Sunday 21st September – 12pm-2pm
- Sunday 28th September – 12pm-2pm
For those that missed it, proficiency swim/floats will be done in the first two weeks of Nippers at Cronulla Beach.
What do I need to bring to the proficiency swim/float assessment?
- Swimmers
- Goggles
- Towel
- Pink Rash shirt
What happens if my child doesn’t meet the proficiency swim/float requirements?
For u6 and u7 – there will be other opportunities to complete the proficiency once nippers starts
For u8-u14
- If your child does not meet the pool swim requirements, they will not be able to take part in any water activities at Nippers. They may take part in beach activities only for now.
- If your child does not meet the ocean swim requirements (u9+ only), they cannot take part in any water activities at Nippers, aside from the wade, for now.
- There will be other opportunities to complete their proficiency in the first month of nippers.
My child is worried about the ocean proficiency swim. What should I do?
Many children feel nervous about the ocean proficiency swim. Bring your child to the registration day. The ocean proficiency swim is held at Cronulla Beach. There are plenty of other kids doing the swim, as well as lots of water safety and older kids on hand to help calm their nerves. Children must do the swim unaided, but support will be nearby.
Please don’t push your child to do the ocean proficiency if they are hesitant, scared or upset. Let them do the pool swim for now. Then come along to the first weeks of nippers, where they can be encouraged and supported to become fully proficient.