Carnivals & Competition

Throughout the surf lifesaving season Hunter Branch conducts a series of Junior Carnivals for age groups from U8 to U14. 

Carnivals are held as competition between Nippers of different Surf Clubs with the season culminating with the Hunter Branch Championships, followed by the NSW State Age Surf Lifesaving Championships.

Other Carnivals and events are also held outside of this series, which Newcastle Nippers may compete in with the club’s permission.

We encourage all Nippers to represent our club in the black and white cap – we take pride in our teams and enter as many teams as possible.

To enter an advertised carnival or for more informaiton please contact our Surf Sports Coordinator via [email protected].


Competition Events

More information about each event can be found on the Hunter Branch website here.

Swim Proficiency Requirements

To compete in Carnival events participants must meet minimum swim proficiency requirements. 

Swim proficiency is assessed in an open water environment and is in addition to the standard pool swim proficiency undertaken by all Nippers. 

The current competition swim proficiency requirements for each age group are:

U6

Nil

U7

Nil

U8

Nil
(no water competition, except for wade which takes place in waist-deep water)

U9

Minimum 150m open water swim
(any recognised stroke)

U10

Minimum 150m open water swim
(any recognised stroke)

U11

Minimum 200m open water swim
(any recognised stroke)

U12

Minimum 200m open water swim
(any recognised stroke)

U13

Minimum 200m open water swim
(any recognised stroke)

U14

Minimum 200m open water swim
(any recognised stroke)

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