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 Junior Queensland Championship each year. BMD Northcliffe has won the State Junior Championships in 2014, 2013 and 2011.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 run-swim-run can compete and nippers need to obtain their age award before competing at Branch or State. Nippers need to compete in their age group for individual events but 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.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 entry that is sent out with the newsletters. Most Gold Coast carnivals do not have late entries so if you have missed the cut off, your child will not be able to attend. 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 can not attend, please advise Tiarne 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, suncream, nipper cap, club costume, 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 via our board trailer, and the boards will be taken to the beach near the tent. You are required to bring back any craft used to the tent immediately after your race. 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. Eg 70 nippers entered, 7 officials and 7 water safety officers.Click here for more information on helping at carnivals (pdf)
Team Selections?
BMD Northcliffe also compete 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.What Events Are There? (pdf)
