THE ROLE OF THE PARENT:

More than most junior sport activities, junior lifesaving is a whole family activity and as such a heavy commitment from parents/caregivers is required.  As all of the committee and age managers are volunteer’s parents can assist the club and their children in many ways.
(i) Become a Water Safety Official (see above)
(ii) Become an Age Manager or an Assistant or simply assist these people in such matters as placing flags in the sand or officiating a sprint on a Sunday morning.
(iii) Become an Official.  Whether it be a Starter, Judge, Marshal or Beach Flag official. Courses are run regularly and make yourself known to one of the committee who will willingly help you.  As with the other roles you will be able to see your child increase their surf skills first hand and you will be assisting the Club at the same time.
(iv) Become a regular B.B.Q. volunteer. The B.B.Q. is a consistent revenue raiser for the club and as we try and keep the latest equipment for the children the B.B.Q. is integral to a successful club.   The B.B.Q. is also a service to the parents and children, which maintains a social and happy atmosphere.  It is proposed that the parents of each age group man the B.B.Q. each week between 9am – 11am and to utilise four - six parents in one hour shifts.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR THE SPORTS PARENT:

The Board of Junior Activities maintains the objectives of children’s sport can only be achieved if parents show an exemplary attitude.  It suggests the following code of conduct.
(i) Be Supportive – Reinforce what The Club is trying to do.  Discuss differences of Opinion and if you cannot agree with the Clubs philosophy – withdraw your child
(ii) Be Positive – Acknowledge fair play, acknowledge children have different skill levels and acknowledge your child’s good effort and the effort of their team-mates.
(iii) Be an Exemplary Model – Respect the Judges, Referee or Age Managers decisions. Avoid negative comments, which may influence your child.  What you do impacts upon your child, let your child compete without pressure and have them enjoy sport into their adult lives.
(iv) Be Involved – Offer to help The Club with many of the week-to-week jobs.  If you are unsure how to help please ask. 
(v) Be Encouraging – Don’t emphasise the end result, encourage your child to be relaxed, without pressure and give them the opportunity to learn from competition, without taking from them the true understanding of winning and losing.

CHILD PROTECTION:

The primary concerns of any community or organization should be the health and well being of its children.  For this reason new legislation has been enacted which determines whether a person is suitable to work with children.  All persons wishing to help on Sunday morning are therefore required to sign a ‘Prohibited Persons Declaration Form’.

PARENT MEMBERSHIP OF THE SURF CLUB:

For insurance purposed there is a requirement that parents who are involved in the conduct of the Junior activities must themselves be members of the Surf Club.  To accommodate the parents of the Junior Surf Club members, the club has established a special category of membership, called a Junior Activities Committee (J.A.C.) Parent Membership.  The membership fee of $10 for one parent is included in Junior membership of the Surf Club. Parents are required t complete the standard “application o Membership” form, and should specify J.A.C. PARENT.  Alternatively parents may join the club under some other membership category for which they are eligible – i.e. active membership, associate membership or award membership

WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO PARENTS NEED (IF ANY) TO HELP OUT:

Most week to week jobs do not require any specific qualifications e.g. bbq. setting up the beach areas, bringing boards from the board room, however the following require accreditation.

Water Safety Officials.
Parents who are involved as water safety officials must hold either a current Surf Lifesaving Certificate or Bronze Medallion.  Similarly they must be members of the Surf club either as a JAC PARENT or other member category.  The club regularly conducts these training courses and parents are encouraged to undertake the courses.  The Surf Lifesaving Certificate (Water Safety Official) is a less rigorous course and can be conducted in a few sessions.  The course covers a run-swim-run (100m x 100m x 100m), rescue and resuscitation techniques, basic surf awareness and first aid.

Carnival Officials
If you wish to officiate at a branch carnival (or higher) you must hold a level 1 Officials Accreditation Certificate.  Courses are generally run via the Branch and early in the season.  Of note is at carnivals, clubs are required to supply a ratio of Water Safety and Carnival Officials to competitors entered.

Coaches
Must hold a Level 1 Coaching Certificate and courses are run by Branch yearly.

HAT CARE:
The best possible Italian lycra is used and it is recommended that they be rinsed in cold water after immersion in salt water and then dried out of direct sunlight.