Competition
Competition is quite possibly the most successful recruiting tool for the Surf Life Saving Movement. The Surf Sports program offers a wide range of competition events for all ages culminating in the Qld Youth Championship each season. BMD Northcliffe has won the State Junior Championships in 2014, 2013 and 2011. U14 competitions can also go on to compete at the Australian Youth Championships.
Who can compete?
U8 - U14s are the only age groups allowed to compete at carnivals. There are no competitions for U6 & U7 age groups. Anyone who has completed their beach and competition evaluation can compete and nippers need to obtain their age award before competing at Branch or State. Nippers need to compete in their own age group for individual events but can compete in the above age group as well as their own age group in team events.
Where are carnivals held?
Members generally compete at carnivals held on the Gold Coast although some U11-14 carnivals are held on the Sunshine Coast. There are unrestricted carnivals held all over Australia that nippers can enter if they choose to travel. QLD Youth Championships can be held anywhere in Qld and the Australian Youth Champs can be held anywhere in Australia.
How long do the carnivals go for?
U8-U10 Carnivals are usually held over one day and normally finish around 2pm, whereas the U11-U14 carnivals can be held over two days (Sat & Sun). Most carnivals marshal approx 7.45am, with a club warm up being held at 7am. Most carnivals involve long hours so be prepared to be at the beach most of the day.
How to enter?
Enter via the online registration link that is sent out with the newsletters. You need to register before the date on the online link to avoid a late entry fee or missing out on entering. It costs approximately $11 per nipper to enter into a carnival and we do not get a refund if you don't compete so if you have entered and cannot attend, please advise Tiarne Smith as soon as you can.
What to Bring?
There are BMD Northcliffe tents that we provide for our members and we ask parents to bring their own umbrella/tent/chair and sit nearby. You will require plenty of water and food to last the day, sun cream, nipper cap, club costume, Fluoro race singlet, towel and warm clothes if the weather/wind turns.
Club Craft
BMD Northcliffe has a variety of fiberglass and foamie boards that members can use at carnivals. This craft will be transported to the carnival. You are required to bring back any craft used to the tent immediately after your race and then return to the van when finished. If you need a board to use, please tick that option when entering your child into the carnival on the online entry.
How can parents help?
Without the help of parents, nipper days and carnivals would not be able to be held. The club needs to supply one official and one water safety officer for every nipper entered. For example, If we have 70 nippers entered we need to provide 7 officials and 7 water safety officers. If you would like to become an official or water safety office, please contact Tiarne Smith.
Team Selections?
BMD Northcliffe also competes in a number of team events at carnivals during the season. Selection into these teams is made by the coaching staff with advice from the Age Group Managers. Decisions are based on a combination of carnival performances and training with the ultimate decision lying with Chris Redler, Head Junior Coach.
