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.
Polzeath Surf Lifesaving Club’s membership year runs from 1st October to 30th September. The membership fee 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, which covers the hire of Wadebridge pool. Members are also required to pay an additional £25.00 SLSGB fee each year, which enables every member to compete and provides insurance cover for individuals and the Club.
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
Sunday mornings 9.30am – 11.30am
Tuesday evening 6.30pm – 8.00pm (starts in June and for Nippers aged 10 and above)
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 – October to April – Wadebridge Pool
Winter – October to April – Wadebridge Pool
Sunday afternoons from 12.00pm – 4.00pm. Please see Winter Pool Training Times.
What to wear: swimsuit, Club swim hat, goggles and swim fins.
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 8.30am -10.30am
What to wear: wetsuit, Club swim hat and swim goggles.
Winter – October 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 from 3.00pm – 4.00pm. Please see Winter Pool Training Times.
What to wear: swimsuit, Club swim hat, goggles and swim 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.
Summer – May to October – Polzeath Beach
Friday evenings from 6.30pm.
What to wear: wetsuit, Club swim hat and swim goggles.
Winter – October to April – in Wadebridge Pool
Wednesday evenings from 7.00pm – 8.00pm. Please see Winter Pool Training Times.
What to wear: swimming costume, 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
The membership year is 1st October – 30th September. Members can pay their membership fee in one lump sum or monthly by standing order.
Yearly membership fees
• £96 Nippers / Youth
• £114 Seniors, Open / Masters Monthly membership fees
• £8.00 per month Nippers and Youth
• £9.50 per month Seniors, Open / Masters
As well as the Club membership fee, Polzeath members are also required to pay an additional £25.00 SLSGB membership fee each year. This enables every member to compete and provides insurance cover for individuals and the Club.
To make a payment or to set up a monthly standing order, the Club’s bank details are:
Beneficiary: Polzeath Surf Life Saving Club
Sort code: 40 45 10 (HSBC)
Account number: 11100424
Reference: your family/individual name
Amount:
Please contact Kate Tamblyn, Membership Secretary, for more information regarding how to join, setting up standing orders for your monthly membership fee, making a SLSGB payment and any other membership queries.
