2021 Sea Bright Ocean Rescue
JG PROGRAM REGISTRATION is CLOSED
Unfortunately, the 2021 JG program has closed registration. We are so sorry we could not accommodate all the kids who want to join.
For those parents who had children in the JG program last year and former junior lifeguards may still try-out for the Nipper program in July. Contact the JG coordinator.
2021 Junior Lifeguard Program Starts July 12th
Dates July 12th - 16th - Session 1: CLOSED-FULL
One-Week Session
9am to 12 pm Monday through Friday
Safety Check Swim Test scheduled first Monday Session 1
Dates July 19th -23rd - Session 2: CLOSED-FULL
One-Week Session
9am to 12 pm Monday through Friday
Safety Check Swim Test scheduled first Monday Session 2
Dates July 26th- 30th - Session 3: CLOSED-FULL
One-Week Session
9am to 12 pm Monday through Friday
Safety Check Swim Test scheduled first Monday Session 3
Nipper Surf Lifesaving Program: Open Water Safety Apprenticeship
Nipper Tryouts and Swim Test - Friday July 30th 2021 at 1:00 pm
Dates : 2nd August thru 13th August 2021
2- Week Training Session runs Monday thru Friday 9 am to 5 pm
Nipper SURF LIFESAVING TEST on Friday August 13th
Nipper Junior Surf Lifesaving Program Ages 11 - 16
Junior Surf Lifesavers (the JG must complete one regular session and try-out)
Our Nipper Junior Lifesaving program is reserved for those Junior guards that have the ability and motivation to become ocean lifesavers and have the skills necessary to unequivocally manage their own personal aquatic risk factors. The term "Nipper" is a nickname used to refer to the younger surf club lifeguards (JGs) of New Zealand and Australia. Our program has adopted the same training philosophies as our Aussie and Kiwi colleagues. SBOR introduces a whole new level of purpose and accountability to our Nipper candidates . The American Nipper program was first drafted by Australian surf club lifeguard and a former USLA South East Region beach safety chief Gary Wise.
The Nippers will complete 40 hours of training and testing following much of the same standards as our rookie ocean lifeguards. Upon completion of training and only after testing, Nippers will be invited to volunteer on the weekends assisting our lifeguards on busy days as part of the overall program.
Nippers have proven themselves since 2015 as a legitimate part of our end of season lifeguard operations. Nippers will never staff lifeguard stands by themselves and are are not responsible for water observation.
Medical Certification
Nippers will complete both American Heart Association Heart Saver First-Aid certification and CPR/AED certification courses. Nippers are also taught how to take a leadership roll during an emergency until lifeguards arrive and will progress through many realistic scenarios designed to teach them risk management, safety, confidence and prioritization.
Nipper Junior Surf Lifesaving Test
The goal of the lifesaving test is for the JG to earn their place on the beach as a public safety volunteer. The Nipper test is a comprehensive evaluation which will clear the JG for unlimited volunteer shifts assisting SBOR's lifeguards on busy days. The lifesaving test is designed to test the NIpper's ability to make basic water rescues and self rescue in less than desirable situations.
If the new Junior Surf Lifesaver chooses to volunteer, their hours are documented for any high school graduation requirment or college entry pre-requisite.
Nippers will be given first opportunity for employment as an Ocean Lifeguard once they reach their 16th birthday pending passing scores on all tests. .
SEA BRIGHT JUNIOR GUARD Comps
2020 Nipper Program Graduates . This picture was taken after these young men and women completed their 8 hour surf lifesaving competency testing.
JUNIOR LIFEGUARD PROGRAM Ages 7 - 16
Curriculum and Activities:
Safety Check Swim Test and Rip Current Survival:
Curriculum and Activities:
On Monday Wednesday and Friday the JGs will participate in water based activities, swimming and paddling in the open ocean. Activities will also include rescue and lifesaving drills. The primary goal of the Junior Lifeguard program is to prevent childhood drowning, it is our main focus.
Sea Bright's Junior Lifeguards will participate in numerous fun filled activities designed to teach them hydrology, rip current survival, water confidence, team work and ocean safety. JG's will spend a vast majority of their time in the Atlantic however outside "classroom" training in CPR and first aid will be scheduled throughout the session.
Competitions:
Safety Check Swim Test and Rip Current Survival:
Curriculum and Activities:
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and recommendation from the USLA, all lifeguard competitions have been cancelled for the 2020 season. There is an intramural borough only JG comp, Sea Bright JG Olympics, scheduled for Friday July 31st 2020.
Our Junior lifeguards have won several top placing medals and proven themselves as some of the fastest kids on the beach and in the water. This year we are shifting some of the focus of the program to local surf sport.
Safety Check Swim Test and Rip Current Survival:
Safety Check Swim Test and Rip Current Survival:
Safety Check Swim Test and Rip Current Survival:
Each Junior Lifeguard must take the JG swim test to begin their session. The swim test is held on the first Monday of each session and it's distance is based on age group appropriate criteria. The JG is only required to complete the swim. There is no time limit, however........
.....your child must be able to swim continuously for at least 6 minutes unassisted, this is our only safety requirement for entry into the program.
Whenever rip currents present in the Atlantic we seize the opportunity to put the junior guards in the water as much as possible. Our JG instructor staff will provide safety and intensive instruction on how to identify and escape a rip current. During our infamous "rip swims" our older JGs learn how to survive and escape even the biggest of rips with the aid of rescue fins and progressive skills instruction.
Our instructors teach our JG's how to navigate in the open water as all swimming events are held in the ocean. We do not teach the individual JG how to swim as a rule, they must come with basic swimming skills.
2019 Nipper Surf lifesavers
2019 Nipper Surf Lifesavers
22 Nippers completed over 70 hours of USLA curriculum based open water lifesaving training including medical CPR AED training by the AHA. These Junior Lifeguards culminated their 2 week training course with an extensive testing process including an open ocean 500 meter swim and several rescue scenarios. The Nippers who have qualified will sit the stand with our lifeguards for the rest of the season.