This section will contain news and information for all our Nippers. Please enjoy!

More Nipper Camp 2008 Photographs

Nipper Camp Report 2008

Once again Camp 2008 was an incredible success. A very big Special thanks to Atlantic College Extramural Centre, Mr. Dave Cope and Staff. And the WCVA as without their support, There would have been no Nipper Camp. We are so fortunate to have such wonderful facilities on our doorstep. The Children just love the place, it’s just like Harry Potter land. We were again blessed with great weather and sunshine. Lots of enthusiastic Nippers and great Coaches.  Combine all this with a fun structured Educational Programme and you have our formula for success. With 248 Nippers attending we were in for a great weekend. Our Programme worked like Clockwork and it was  great to see the introduction of many new Coaches, as this is what we aim to do each year. So thanks to all clubs for your support.

Nipper Camp is the perfect introduction to Lifesaving for both the Children and potential new coaches. It is a joy to see the combination of working  with children and good coaching practices. Nipper Camp does all these things and it was great to see the New Nipper Manuals helping so many Coaches.

Project Costs. = £26.268.00

It is only with the support

Of Atlantic College  £1760.00

And the WCVA.      £ 1750.00

That we are able to maintain a break even Budget. The funding of Coaches and Helpers is an ongoing challenge and we will endeavour to try to meet this expense.

Special points to note:

Attendees
· 248 Nippers.
· 20 Wales Coaches
· 20 Club Helpers
· 5 Management

Awards Taken
· Nippers  1488
· Coaches   46

Total Awards 1534

Awards Breakdown
Life Support                       248
Beach& Water Safety          248
First Aid                            248
Pool Awards                       248
Fitness Award                    248
Games Skills                      248
Coach Awards                     46

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2007 Nippers Camp Report - Our Nipper Camp Training Weekend is always something very special to all concerned.  And once again, this year continued the outstanding success story.

We were very fortunate to celebrate our Tenth Anniversary at the College with good weather. Coaches, Helpers and Nippers were all magnificent and as the years roll by, it just gets better. This year and for the following two years our Coaches are mainly supported via the WCVA. This is great news, as it has enabled us to plan ahead and continue our project with confidence.

I would like to thank both Atlantic College and the WCVA for their support.  plus Aberavon LG Club for the use of their B/Q.  Pat and Liz Thomas, Carmalina Ford for their generosity with supply of Burgers, Rolls and Pop. Not forgetting Neville White and the Chef Team, Chris Parry for the increased Pop Sales.

Your efforts have helped us to produce an additional Thirty New Nipper Training Manuals, that will be issued to Club Coaches free of charge while stocks last. This year seen the introduction of our New Training and Awards Manual at Camp, This was a massive step in our Welsh Nipper Development Programme, We have now secured our own Nipper Structured Training Programme for future years. I would like to thank Phil Rees for his help in the Printing of the Manual and our Youth Commission  Committee for their contribution in putting it all together.Just like Nipper Camp, another example of Great Team Work.

The Entertainment's Programme of Disco/Karaoke Competitions was again a Big Hit, Proving that we do have some real singing and dancing stars within Surf Lifesaving. Both the Nippers and Coaches were Fantastic. Next year I will introduce the best Endeavour Award, as some members tried so hard and to me you are all winners.

The Nipper Camp Fun Educational Water Safety and Sports Programme is achieving all our Aims and Objectives. Coaches and the Children are our Future. Over the past Ten Years within this programme,  we have Set Standards and developed all Club Memberships. SLSA Wales Nippers are really on the crest of a wave and have a brilliant future. I wish to thank all concerned for your efforts and hard work,I also wish to thank all the Clubs who have sent Cards, Letters and e/mails of Congratulations, It is something that every organiser loves to here.

Peter Lake. Nipper Camp Co-ordinator. President SLSA Wales.

Achievements at this years Camp

Life Support      265
Water Safety    265
First Aid           265
Pool Awards      265
Games Award     265
Fitness Award    265
Coaches             52
Asst/Coach           8
Total Awards   1650

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SLSA Wales Nipper Boards have now sold out. However, if you wish to place an order SLSA Wales will be looking to import more stocks in early 2008. 

If you would like to place a preliminary order, information or prices please contact Chris Parry on 01656 667349

About Gboards

Gboards' aim is to supply Nippers with the safest piece of learning equipment available and to have as much fun as possible.

Being confident on a safe fun board will lead to more time spent in the water, allowing the nippers to gain more knowledge about surf safety.

This will lead to a greater percentage of Nippers going through the next stages of Surf Lifesaving as better SURF Lifesavers.

Being a closed-cell foam, if penetrated, will never absorb water. This will effectively reduce all ding repair costs and extend the life of the nipper board.

All GBoard Nipper boards are Surf Live Saving Australia (SLSA), SLSA GB and SLSA Wales approved.

Specification

Length - 2 Meters (6' 6")

Width - 490 mm (19 1/4")

Will Carry - Up to 60 kg

Note: SLSA GB have circulated the following information in regard to these boards. "Following a sports commission meeting it was decided that following the successful introduction of the new style Nipper boards that from this season they will be able to be used for any age group.  The older style blue boards still fulfil the specifications and can still be used for all age groups.
A query was also recently bought to the commission regarding the slick bottomed boards regarding their suitability.  As long as the material used for the slick material is not solid (as is the case with the majority of boards being used) then they fulfil the specifications and can be used."