Hi Valued Members,
Please see below a summary of the key dates and activities to start the 2024/25 season.
If you haven’t already, please renew your membership now via the SLS website here so you can participate in our patrols, surf sports, education and nippers programs. If fees are not paid by 30th September then any access will be removed.
Surf Sports Board and Swim training starts Thursday 17th October at 4.30pm. Training will then run on Sunday at 8am and Thursdays at 4:30pm throughout the season. We have a Whatsapp Group for all training updates, so please ask to be added to the group for all updates.
The first day of nippers is planned for Sunday 13th October - please arrive at 8.45am for a 9.15am start (wetsuits highly recommended during the early part of the season and swim caps and goggles for all ocean swims). We have attached a useful Nippers Calendar to this email with key dates and information.
Nippers Open Day A parent information session will be held after the first Nippers at 10:30 in the Surf Club Sheds. Information on competition carnivals and how they work, parent expectations, what your child will do at Nippers will all be discussed.
Nippers Proficiency swim at 10am - 12pm Sunday 29 September at Corrimal Pool. This allows children to do water activities during Nippers - these sessions are not mandatory (Corrimal pool is heated btw!) and the proficiency swim can be done during nippers throughout the season in Thirroul Pool (not heated!)
We are looking for new patrollers, so anyone who's interested in getting their Bronze Medallion or SRC, please see dates here.
We will be hosting the Dean Mercer Dash on Sunday 27th October 2024 info here.
Patrols
Our flags go up on Sunday 29th September and will go up every Sunday and Public Holiday until 27th April 2024
Please contact Anne at patrols@thirroulsurfclub.com.au for any questions
Nippers
The first day of nippers will be Sunday 13th October at 8.45am sign in for a 9.15am start
Last Nipper before Christmas: Twilight 3-4pm Sunday 15th December 2024
Fist Nippers after Christmas: 9:15am Sunday 2nd February 2025
Last Nippers of season: Twilight 3-4pm Sunday 16th March 2025
Nippers end of Season Awards: 4pm Sunday 23rd March 2025
Please contact juniors@thirroulsurfclub.com.au for any questions
Follow us on Instagram @thirroul_nippers for all Nipper related updates throughout the season!
Surf Sports
Board and Swim Training starts Thursday 17th October at 4pm-5pm. Training will then run on Sundays at 8am before Nippers, and Thursdays at 4pm through the season when all coaches are available. Follow us on Stack Team App “Thirroul Surf Sports Academy” and join the Whatsapp Group (ask Coach Ben to add you to the group at one of the sessions) as all updates including any change in beach location for training will be communicated via there
Parents are required to stay at the beach during these sessions and have a visual on their child at all times
After a successful return last season, the Sydney Water Series is back again this season. We hope to see lots of happy and skilled Thirroul SLSC members compete again this year
Events available: U8 (sprints, flags and wade) U9 - Masters, all surf, craft and beach individual events
Sydney Water Series’ main form of communication this season will be through Stack Team App. Download the Stack Team App onto your phone, then search for Sydney Water Surf Series and request to join to keep up with all updates and events
If you would like to enter the Sydney Water Series, please RSVP through Stack Team App. Search: Thirroul Surf Sports Academy. All events for the entire season will be listed in the event tab very shortly and you can read more information and RSVP there.
Once you RSVP, we will enter you into the event.
Sydney Water Carnival Dates:
- Round One: Saturday 19 October Bulli SLSC
- Round 2: Saturday 2nd November Warilla Barrack Point SLSC
- Round 3: Sunday 3rd November Warilla Barrack Point SLSC
- Round 4: Saturday 16 November Wollongong City SLSC
Thirroul will be hosting the Dean Mercer Dash on Sunday the 27 October 2024. This is always an exciting event and we hope to see you there!
Please contact Sonya Harrison, Surf Sports Director, at surfsports@thirroulsurfclub.com.au for any questions or if you would like to be included in future Surf Sports communication.
Competition Proficiency
All competitors who wish to compete in the Sydney Water Series 2024/25 need to complete their competition ocean swim proficiency for this season prior to being entered. The first date of the Series is 19 October, and closing date for entries is Monday 14 October.
Any competitors who wish to enter must have completed their open water swim proficiency prior to being entered. You can do this at any Thursday afternoon (4 - 5pm) or Sunday morning (8am) training sessions with Head Coach Ben who will sign you off.
Please inform Ben at the session of your intent to do the proficiency swim. As Nippers does not commence until 13 October, you are advised to try and do the proficiency over the next two/three weeks and get some training in before the first event! You only need to do the proficiency once to be signed off for the season. If a Nipper requires any assistance during the swim, the proficiency is deemed unsuccessful and will need to be undertaken again.
Parents, we will be guided by you as to how competent your child is to undertake the ocean swim proficiency. All of our coaches are Bronze Medallion holders, and are competent to assist your child in the ocean, but you will need to communicate any concerns you may have prior to them entering the ocean. It can be very daunting for children to do this swim so early in the season especially if they have not been swimming over the winter months.
All competitors competing in Sydney Water Series need to have their competition ocean proficiency swim completed and signed off by Sunday 13 October. No late entries into the Series are allowed after this date!
For U9 and U10 competitors, the ocean swim proficiency is 150m. For U11 upwards, it is a 200m ocean swim. Any stroke is permissible. Come prepared with goggles and a swim cap!
If Nippers are not competing in the Sydney Water Series, but wish to compete in any other carnivals/events later in the season, they can complete their ocean swim proficiency during Nippers sessions with our amazing swim specialist coaches!
Please contact Sonya if you have any questions - surfsports@thirroulsurfclub.com.au
Education
The focus is still on completing proficiencies online - see our information sheet here
Bronze, SRC & other in-person courses will resume shortly - please register your interest here
Please contact Kim at education@thirroulsurfclub.com.au for any questions
Function Hall
The Function Hall is taking bookings so book in and promote it with your friends and family!
Please contact Di Gillet on functions@thirroulsurfclub.com.au for any questions
Staying Updated
Visit our Website
Follow our Facebook Page
Send us an Email
Stay safe, stay in touch, please register and we look forward to seeing you at the beach.
The Thirroul Surf Life Saving Club Committee - info@thirroulsurfclub.com.au
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Season 2024 Key Dates