Shacking it?

12 October 2015

Surf Life Saving SA's "Surf and Survive" program is part of the VACSWIM initiative and has been specifically designed for the beach environment, using key techniques of the Nipper program which is delivered summer-round in surf lifesaving clubs.

The program has 10 Stages of instruction to choose from, and covers aspects of sun safety, beach hazard identification, surf rescue skills and first aid, and building confidence swimming in the open water.

Participants need to be 5 years old by the time the program starts, and it's open to participants up to 13 years old. Older children (14 - 17) are able to enrol in the parallel "Holiday Program" which enables them to participate in Stages 9 and 10. Participants enrolled in Stage 10 who are 13 and over (regardless of VACSWIM or Holiday Program) can be assessed for their Surf Rescue Certificate, an accredited qualification from Surf Life Saving SA.