If you are interested in joining the club you are welcome to attend two free trial sessions, after which point you will need to complete a membership form and pay membership fees. Please note that the Nippers section is very popular so there is currently a waiting list for some age groups – please put your child’s name down well in advance.
The membership year runs from Jan to Dec and includes the SLSGB membership fee of £25.00 which enables every member to compete and provides insurance cover for individuals and the Club, plus the Club’s membership fee which covers all training sessions, use of equipment under Club guidelines (depending on age/competency) and use of the Club Hut. Also included are the pool subs for winter training to cover the hire of Wadebridge pool.
Nippers
If you’re thinking of introducing your child to Surf Life Saving, then Nippers is the best place to do it. Nippers are children aged 7 to 13 years old. The Club divides Nippers into age groups and each group trains weekly to develop their Surf Life Saving skills in the pool, on the beach and in the sea. In addition, the children learn about the beach environment, how to be safe in the sea and some basic first aid skills.
For those Nippers who wish to compete there are pool and sea competitions throughout the year. We find working towards a competition helps to increase skill levels, which in turn increases the effectiveness of the Life Saver in carrying out rescues. Competitions provide an environment where Nippers can have fun, gain success and learn from others in a team environment.
We ask that a parent of all 7 and 8 year olds accompany them in the water, and parents of 8 to10 year olds remain on the beach at all times.
Nipper Training:
All sessions are run by experienced and qualified coaches - all CRB checked.
We ask for all Nippers to be at their training session at least 15 minutes before it starts so they are ‘ready to go’ on time.
Summer – May to October – Polzeath Beach
Tuesday evenings from 6 - 7pm (starts later in the summer - please keep an eye on club news for start date)
Sunday mornings from 9.30 -11am.
What to wear: wetsuit (ideally a winter wetsuit at the beginning of the season for extra warmth) with swimming costume underneath, wetsuit boots and Club swim hat and swim goggles.
In addition, all Nippers will be asked to where a ‘hi-vis’ Club vest over their wetsuit in the sea during their session. When the session is finished any Nipper wishing to remain in the sea can only do so with parental consent and must remove their vest.
Winter – November to April – Wadebridge Pool
Nippers learn various pool skills throughout the season and training sessions are focused on preparing them to compete in the Cornish and National Stillwater competitions if they wish. Events include swim, board and manikin races, both individual and team.
Sunday afternoons from 3.30-4.30pm (times will be confirmed)
What to wear: swimming costume (Club ones are available), swim hat, goggles and fins.
During the pool season we also arrange two to three visits to Plymouth Life Centre to train in the 50m pool there. This gives Nippers the opportunity to practise dive starts and perform their pool skills over the longer distance required in the National competitions.
Juniors
From age 13 members join the Juniors. Juniors go on to develop the skills they have learnt as Nippers but over longer distances and in more challenging conditions. In the sea they also progress from Nipper Boards to the faster Racing Mals and are introduced to Ski Paddling – both the individual and double ski.
Juniors also compete in regional, national and international competitions.
If you fall within the Junior age bracket, but are new to Surf Life Saving don’t worry. We welcome new Junior members of any skill level as long as they can swim 50m. The Club runs a ‘Development’ Group for those who are making the transition from Nipper to Junior and this is the ideal group for new Junior members to join – giving them time to learn the skills and develop their confidence before they decide to move up into the Junior Group. Many parents train with this group too.
At the age of 16 Junior members can train for their ‘National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification’ (NVBLQ) and can use this lifeguarding qualification in this country and abroad.
Junior Training:
All sessions are run by experienced and qualified coaches – all CRB checked.
We ask for all Juniors to be at their training session at least 15 minutes before the it starts so they are ‘ready to go’ on time.
Summer – May to October – Polzeath Beach
Sunday mornings from 8.30-10.30am
What to wear: wetsuit, Club swim hat and swim goggles.
Winter – November to April – Wadebridge Pool
Juniors continue to develop all the pool skills they learnt as Nippers, except they no longer compete on the board. Instead more challenging manikin and obstacle races are introduced. Training sessions are focused on preparing them to compete in the Cornish and National Stillwater competitions if they wish in both individual and team events.
Sunday afternoons - times to be conformed
What to wear: swimming costume (Club ones are available), goggles and fins.
Junior members have access to train and compete with Sebak Fins. These are larger, fibreglass fins that are owned by the Club and loaned to members.
During the pool season we also arrange two to three visits to Plymouth Life Centre to train in the 50m pool there. This gives the Juniors the opportunity to practise dive starts and perform their pool skills over the longer distance required in the National competitions.
Ski Paddling:
Over the winter period ski paddling sessions are held on a regular basis, usually on Sunday mornings, on the Camel Estuary. These sessions are dependent on weather/sea conditions. Notifications are sent out the week prior to the session.
Masters
At the age of 17yrs members join the ranks of Seniors/Open.
Masters is for those aged 30yrs and up. Masters is then sub-divided in to age groups for competing, 30-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60+.
We don’t expect our Masters to have had a background in Surf Life Saving – anyone who would like to try is welcome.
Over the years the number of Polzeath parents training and competing as Masters – in both the pool and beach competitions has grown considerably. It’s a great way to learn new skills and keep fit. It’s also great fun and the competitions provide an opportunity to meet parents from other Clubs and learn more about Surf Life Saving as a sport.
Senior/Open and Masters Training:
All sessions are run by experienced and qualified coaches.
We ask for all Senior/Open and Masters to be at their training session at least 15 minutes before the it starts so they are ‘ready to go’ on time.
Training session times for 2019 are still to be confirmed.
What to wear: wetsuit, Club swim hat and swim goggles.
Winter – November to April – in Wadebridge Pool
Sunday afternoons - times to be confirmed
What to wear: swimming costume (Club ones are available), goggles and fins.
Ski Paddling:
Over the winter period ski paddling sessions are held on a regular basis, usually on Sunday mornings, on the Camel Estuary. These sessions are dependent on weather/sea conditions. Notifications are sent out the week prior to the session.
Club Fees
CLUB FEES
Membership fees are:
- £96/year Nippers & Youth
- £114/year Seniors/Open and Masters
- £66 Seniors - pool only membership
- £54 Seniors - beach only membership
Members can pay by monthly standing order:
- £8 per month for Nippers/Youth
- £9.50 per month for Seniors/Open and Masters
Please contact your bank to set up your standing order as follows:
Beneficiary: Polzeath Surf Life Saving Club
Sort code: 40 45 10 ( HSBC )
Account number: 11100424
Reference: your family/individual name
Amount:
Or you can pay as a lump sum payment using a bank transfer or cheque made payable to ‘Polzeath SLSC’.
Please contact us for more details and a membership form:
