It was a hot hot day at Woolamai, just perfect as we all arrived. We had the great pleasure of being able to watch a few heats of the Victorian Amateur Surfing Competition that was being held on the surf beach.
With the weather going to be in the high 30’s we got all of the beach activities out of the way first up, with the help from Steve the Nippers were put through their paces on a ran along the beach and a few stretches, we sure can tell he is Cheryl’s husband

With the beach flags a favorite and always first event up the Nippers were sprinting through the sand with ease, then it was over to have a game of dodge ball with the help of Jess. Beach Sprints were a hit with the relays techniques improving each week.  George, Matthew and Austin went out first on the board with the lifeguards to continue the skills of board hopping from the previous week. While the younger group learnt how, to start a board race and drag their boards to the surf.

This was followed by some board paddling through some extremely rough surf and all the Nippers put on brave faces as they tackled each pounding wave. Georgie-Mae was hit with a set which was described as having the power of a freight train, and she manage to come out with her board and catch a wave back to shore, Great surf skills Georgie-Mae!

Everyone did really well in the conditions and were all very surprised of how quickly sets can come through and the difference in each and every wave; it was a great learning experience. I took the older boys out for a swim as they were determined to get past the break and body surf it back in, once we stood back and read the surf and decided the best way to approach the swim they were all thrilled and excited as they porpoise dived through the waves. We all had a ball out there and it was great for them to experience Woolamai on such a day! Great Swim Boys!

Many thanks to all that assisted with the day and see you all next week at the Club Carnival!
 

It was a warm day at Woolamai on the 14th we had a huge day planned with the focus being on Competition Rules for all events. We started the day with a warm up run along the beach and then some stretches. We had a few Nippers away and made the most of the smaller group with everyone giving 100% effort. Firstly we had flags and with the help of the Woolamai Lifeguards, giving the Nippers some great advice and technique tips.

With the weather heating up it was down to the water for a board race. We had the pleasure of the company of Ivan and Sandra Webb who took pictures of the Nippers which will be available soon on the website. Thank You both for your time I know it has been a busy summer for you both.

The swim was testing for a few of the Nippers as the surf was choppy, though with the skills they have gained over summer they managed to get through the course with huge smiles and great pride in themselves. Thank you to Adam Harrison who took the older group on a swim that really tested the skills of the Nippers it was great to see how proud they were once it was completed.

To end the day we had a 10mins of theory on Dangers on the beach it was amusing to hear what the kids thought were dangerous and great to reassure them that the beach can be a great place!
Another great day Nippers you can really see the development in the kids as they progress through the program.

Thank you again to the Lifeguard’s who assisted on the day and the parents who support and continue to encourage their children to be the best they can be.
 

We started our day at Woolamai Waters, though with the support that we receive from other Woolamai members, we had Senior Lifeguard Rob Murphy come down to let us know that the conditions at Woolamai Surf Beach were perfect for our board paddling and bunny hopping…need he say more? It was decided beach activities until 11am and then over to the Clubhouse for wade relays for the juniors and boards for the seniors.

To the Nippers delight the water was perfect, with the excitement building up we all ventured to the shore. Rob Murphy was great teaching the juniors how to dolphin dive and correct wading techniques, there were many smiling faces running through the water.

The senior group was focused on bunny hopping on to the Nipper Boards, then we all paddled out into a rip and exited the rip the correct way it was a great experience for the Nippers.
Special mentions for the day go to Alice Harrison and Austin on the boards both your bunny hopping skills are fantastic, Louise Smith in the beach sprint relay your technique is great, Kaylan Flowers and Alyssa Dainty in the wade races.

Everyone should be proud of themselves as you all did great. I had many lifeguard’s comment on how well you are all doing.  Again thank you to all the parents for your support and help with the program.
Well Done Nippers!

With the Island buzzing of swim fever due the San Remo Classic and Cowes Swim it was guaranteed to be a fantastic day at Woolamai Waters.

We started the day with one of Cheryl’s group fitness stretch classes. First activity up was beach flags in true competition style with Austin taking out the field to win the boys and Jacinta to win the girls.

Then it was down to the water with our PDF’s to learn how to put them on correctly and then a scenario as if we were in a boat that had capsized. It was noisy though a lot of fun! After that we practiced H.E.L.P huddles and discussed situations that could arise in the water while waiting for help. Nippers all tried a short swim in PDF’s and were surprised on how difficult it could be.

Cheryl took the older boys through their paces with a Champion Relay and had them exhausted by the end of the day, though the effort put in by the older Nippers was fantastic. Great Job Nippers! A very special thank you to all the parents involved with today’s program as it would not work without the help and support that you all bring with you each Sunday.

First day of Sunday Nippers for 2010, we all arrived at Woolamai Beach Surf Club, the weather was overcast and very windy with the beach closed.

Everybody gathered in the clubrooms to meet and greet and then we had the Club President come down and meet the parents and Nippers as well as the Junior Coordinator Michelle Murphy. Thank You both very much for your time!

With the overcast weather it was perfect conditions for our first lesson, Surf Safety and Surf Awareness with the majority of the lesson focused on Rips, Winds, Tides and Currents it was informative for all involved.

Up next was a tour of the Clubhouse and the Equipment Shed and finding the location of the first aid room. With some very excited little Nippers who cannot wait to grow up to stay in the dorms and patrol with real radios. Then we ventured out into the wind to the beach to identify a rip and have a game of flags.

Overall it was a exciting day and very informative for the new members of Woolamai….in the Nippers words it was a “Fun Day”

Welcome to Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club Nippers of 2010!