Club Safety
Safety is our first priority in all activities conducted by the Swansea Belmont Surf Life Saving Club. Safety extends to safety on the beach, in the water and consideration to the protection of all children.
SLS surf sport competition and SLS sanctioned/special events: All aquatic activity participants in SLS surf sport competition and SLS sanctioned/special events must be clearly identified with a standardised high-visibility vest or swimming cap (ocean swims only) for easy identification above the water surface.
All junior activities and member training – aquatic activity participants must be clearly identified with a standardised high-visibility Lycra vest or shirt for easy identification above the water surface.
Skull Caps (Means of Identification)
All children participating in Nippers are required to wear a skull cap.
This is a means of identification of the children on the beach. The U/6 Nippers wear a fluro Blue cap, U/7 nippers wear a fluro yellow cap and the U/8 – U/14 wear the traditional Green, Gold & White cap of the club.
Parents are asked to enforce the wearing of the caps.
A PARENT OR GUARDIAN IS REQUIRED TO BE AT THE BEACH FOR THEIR CHILD/CHILDREN AT ALL TIMES DURING JUNIOR ACTIVITIES.
Safety in the Water
The Superintendent will liaise with the Patrol Captain each Sunday. Together they will decide if the surf conditions are suitable to conduct activities. The Patrol Captain or Superintendent may cease activities if conditions become unsafe.
The guidelines for water safety are laid down by the Surf Life Saving Association and must be adhered to by all. The IRB (Inshore Rescue Boat) or ‘Rubber Duckie’ is present during all water events and it is imperative that as many parents as possible are in the water to accompany children in surf races. No race or activity will commence unless there is the correct number of water safety personnel.
Water Safety Officers must wear orange caps during water activities. Bronze Medallion Water Safety Officers must sign into the Nippers Water Safety Log Book. These register the hours toward their patrol hour obligations.
Water Safety / Risk Management
We as a club have a duty of care to provide water safety personnel to protect our children during all in-water and beach activities. For in-water activities it is essential that water safety personnel are qualified and currently proficient as per SRC regulations.
Parents wishing to swim with their children during club events, who are not qualified or proficient must do so at their own risk, and cannot participate as an official water safety person.
We are sorry that these rules must be adhered to, but we have no choice, and must adhere to SLSA regulations.