Hello Nippers and friends, Can the Christmas holidays really have come and gone that quickly? Can it really be that we have had 2 weeks back at Nippers already? Can you believe that there are only 8 more weekends of Nippers before we break for the season? [And speaking of breaking for the season pencil in the end of season break up fun and presentation into your diary for Sunday 26 March]

What can I say, week 2 of Nippers in 2017 was cracking fun again with a couple of really cool things to call out:

• Thank you to the U11 & 13 kids for helping the younger Nippers out with their board skills. The 1:1 time you gave them was pure gold;
• Thank you to Archie for designing and running the obstacle course. Archie, from our U11 superstars, has a broken kneecap and could not participate but still came down to help out and ran that obstacle course like a pro;
• Thank you to Mick Nagle, who spent time again coaching our team going to Sunshine Coast Branch Carnival this weekend and the State Championships in Harvey Bay on 17-19 Feb (Good luck folks and keep up the training. We know you are going to do us proud).

Nipper of the Week

We will do a combined nipper of the week for Weeks 1 and 2 of 2017, so stay tuned on Sunday for the announcement.

Remember – Nipper of the week is not a fastest on the beach award. It is an award for the nipper who shows the true spirit of a lifesaver. Courage, Commitment, Teamwork, and care for their fellow nippers. We see a lot of nippers demonstrating these characteristics each and every week.

Nippers on Sunday 29 January 2016

We are on and running for all age groups, despite U11-13’s also attending branch championships on both Saturday & Sunday. This will mean:

• U10 Parents: You are on set up & BBQ. Please be there to help out by 7.30. With many hands, it only takes 15 minutes to set up.
• Water Safety: We are definitely going to be needing you all there if you are not at the carnival. You can never have too many water safety.
• All Parents: We will be short on Age Managers. Please put yourself forward to help out on the day.

Carnival Update

As I said above U11-13’s are at Sunshine Coast branch championships this coming weekend. Other dates to remember:

• Round 2 of the Coolum Age Championship is on Sunday 5 February.
• Qld State Youth Championships are on 17-19 Feb at Harvey Bay.
• Sunshine Coast Branch Championships for U8 – 10 are on Sunday 5 March.

Mid-Week Training

Many of you will have been to Mick Nagle’s board training sessions on Wed morning and Friday afternoon. But how many of you have taken advantage of the swim training that our resident swim coach Andrew Saw runs at 6 am on Tuesday mornings at Coolum Pool?

We have two lanes set aside and Andrew runs an awesome session. It is a wonderful way to start a Tuesday. Come on down to check it out. Just turn up, say you are here with Andrew and Coolum Nippers and in you go, you don’t pay for pool entry.

Surfboard Riding Coaching

Paddy will be back to run a couple more surf coaching sessions after nippers on Sundays. Keep an eye out for a text to alert you to his appearance.

Next Season

We are already thinking now about how Nippers next summer will be even better than this summer. We want your feedback and we need you to be involved. Start thinking now about volunteering and joining the amazing bunch of people who give up their time for their kids and yours every Sunday (and then some). You might want to be an age manager, water safety, coach, BBQ guru, join the committee and have a say in the direction of the club. All are welcome, very welcome.

If you have any questions about the roles or responsibilities of any of the volunteer positions for next year or you would like to put your name forward for a position please feel free to speak to any of our committee on the beach or shoot me an email at nippers@coolumsurfclub.com.au.

Feedback Welcome

If you have suggestions on how we can improve, or you noticed a nipper, age manager or water safety do something awesome we would love to hear from you. Please reach out to me or any of the Nippers committee (Tracey Jackson, Emma Rahui, Erica Skuja, Sheri Ambler & James Blackmore) or send me an email at Nippers@coolumsurfclub.com.au.

See you on the beach.

Bryn Kirk
Junior Activities Chairman