Minnows Update: All Stars Surf Camp.

Welcome to the Coogee Minnows for the 2008-2009 season

It has been and incredible season so far, and we continue to improve and find more and more for all our members to get involved with.

Last week we successfully had 34 under 14's complete their SRC (Surf Rescue Certificate) as well as 25 parents of Minnows complete their Bronze training and become fully qualified Coogee Lifesavers.

All of us at Minnows congratulate all the hard work that's put in to achieve such highly regarded qualifications by kids and parents.

An enrolment form for the Coogee Minnows All Stars Surf Camp on January 22^nd to 23^rd can be found here January Surf Camp

Our weekly newsletter 'The Minnow Mail' can be found here Minnow Mail Edition 10

Please remember, we are back on the beach after the holiday break on January 11th 2009

We are very pleased this year to continue with our Major Sponsor
Ray White Real Estate Randwick/Coogee South, and our other sponsors Medina Apartments and Between the Flags.

Enrolment Information

URGENT NOTICE
LAST PROFICIENCY FOR THE YEAR. This Saturday, December 13th from 9am. ALL WATER SAFETY MUST BE PROFICIENT BY DECEMBER 31st

ALL REGISTRATIONS HAVE NOW CLOSED

Due to overwhelming support for Minnows this year membership was cut off in the first couple of weeks

Children must be aged 5 years or older on 1 October 2008 to be able to register.
Your child's age group is the year older than his or her age on 1 October 2008.
(e.g. if your child is 6 years old on 1 October 2008 he or she will be in the under 7's).

Registration fees for this season are unchanged at:

* $95.00 per child,
* $135.00 for two children and
* $165.00 for three or more children from one family (all GST inclusive)

All registering Minnows will receive a Coogee Minnows T-shirt as part of their registration fee. All Minnows must have a club cap, which if you are a new Minnow, can be purchased on registration day for $15.00.

We are continuing with the reversible caps with the club colours on one side and a single age group colour on the other. Age groups have their own colour, which remains the same for each following season, so keep your colour caps from last season.

All the Minnows Club gear including swimming costumes and hats (not compulsory), are available to purchase on the Registration days and at the beach each Sunday between 8.30am - 9.30am.

To make your registration process as simple as possible, please complete the enclosed registration form and bring it with your payment (cheques made payable to Coogee Minnows) on one of the registration days.

Please also sign the back of the Registration form. New Minnows will also be registering on these days.

Please Note: Cash and Cheques ONLY,
Credit Cards are not accepted

Each year a limit on numbers will apply for registrations in individual age groups.
This is more an issue for the younger age groups.
We recieved a strong demand again this year, so early registration was recommended to avoid disappointment.

A Registration Form can be downloaded here

Proficiency Swims
In order to participate in water activities on the beach, individuals must achieve a minimum proficiency level.
This minimum requirement, established by Surf Lifesaving Australia, is known as a Preliminary Evaluation . This is the proficiency evaluation that will take place on the two registration days.

Minnows that want to compete for Coogee must also complete their Competition Evaluation. This is required before registering for any competition, including Randwick Shield, Branch and State carnivals.
These takes place in the first two weeks on the beach.

Age group	Preliminary Evaluation	Competition Evaluation
		Timed Pool Swim	Run-Swim-Run
Under 8	25 metre swim (any stroke) 1 minute survival float	Nil	Nil
Under 9	25 metre swim (any stroke) 1 minute survival float	200m pool swim within 6 minutes	Run-Swim-Run (50m-50m-50m)
Under 10	25 metre swim (freestyle) 1.5 minute survival float	200m pool swim within 6 minutes	Run-Swim-Run (50m-50m-50m)
Under 11	50 metre swim (freestyle) 2 minute survival float	200m pool swim within 5 minutes	Run-Swim-Run (50m-100m-50m)
Under 12	100 metre swim (freestyle) 2 minute survival float	200m pool swim within 5 minutes	Run-Swim-Run (50m-100m-50m)
Under 13	150 metre swim (freestyle) 3 minute survival float	200m pool swim within 5 minutes	Run-Swim-Run (100m-100m-100m)
Under 14	200 metre swim (freestyle in under 5 min). 3 minute survival float	200m pool swim within 5 minutes	Run-Swim-Run (100m-100m-100m)
Notes	P.E will take place at registration days	C.E must be successfully completed before a junior member is eligible for competition and before December 31 st .

At the two registration days, juniors will be encouraged to undergo evaluation. Each boy and girl will be timed and nippers not reaching competition evaluation but still want to compete will have another opportunity to qualify during the first few weeks on the beach.

How Parents can get involved at Coogee Minnows!
We are continually working to make the Coogee Minnows a club where all children feel proud to be a member, where they learn individual and team skills on the beach and in the surf, and above all where they have a great time each weekend. As a voluntary organisation we need help from you, the parents and guardians, to be able to make this happen.

Click here for the complete training schedule for Minnows parents

This year we are continuing with our program of team activities on the beach. This means we will continue to need Age Group Assistants to provide support to the Age Managers. These positions are supported by officials to help with marshalling age groups, recording places for races, and teams to assist in setting up the beach each Sunday.

We will also require qualified water safety officers in the surf (must have Bronze Medallion) during swimming and board events.

I am also looking for volunteers to help in the surf education activities (assisting age convenors guide the children through the simple workbooks during the season).

We will be in contact with last year's age convenors to confirm your continued involvement shortly.

We will be very happy to discuss any of these roles with you at the Registration days. This year's Bronze Squads, to obtain your surf bronze medallion, and therefore work with the kids in the water, will be trained via the Senior Club, so please indicate your interest for this also.

Our NEXT Bronze group is the Summer Bronzies .

Bronze training for Minnows parents will in early February with pre-training to get parents beach and swim fit starting the two weeks prior.

It is our intention to get the assessment done in the first week of March.

Please talk to us about participating in the Bronze Certificate course at the registration days.

Bronze Certificate qualified parents are essential to the success of Coogee Minnows.

Important Dates for Parents:
Christmas Break
Sunday, December 14th and back on Sunday January 11th

All Stars Surf Camp
January 22nd to 23rd

Enjoy the holiday season.

Tass Karozis
Minnows Captain

Each age group, with the exception of the Under 6s and 7s, has different qualifications and requirements, which must be met to enable them to participate in Minnows' water-based activities and compete in inter-club carnivals.

In order to participate in water activities on the beach, individuals must achieve a minimum proficiency level. This minimum requirement, established by Surf Lifesaving Australia, is known as a Preliminary Evaluation. This is the proficiency evaluation that will take place on the two registration days.

Minnows that want to compete for Coogee must also complete their Competition Evaluation. This is required before registering for any competition, including Randwick Shield, Branch and State carnivals. These will take place in the first two weeks on the beach.

Age group	Preliminary Evaluation	Competition Evaluation
		Timed Pool Swim	Run-Swim-Run
Under 8	25 metre swim (any stroke) 1 minute survival float	Nil	Nil
Under 9	25 metre swim (any stroke) 1 minute survival float	200m pool swim within 6 minutes	Run-Swim-Run (50m-50m-50m)
Under 10	25 metre swim (freestyle) 1.5 minute survival float	200m pool swim within 6 minutes	Run-Swim-Run (50m-50m-50m)
Under 11	50 metre swim (freestyle) 2 minute survival float	200m pool swim within 5 minutes	Run-Swim-Run (50m-100m-50m)
Under 12	100 metre swim (freestyle) 2 minute survival float	200m pool swim within 5 minutes	Run-Swim-Run (50m-100m-50m)
Under 13	150 metre swim (freestyle) 3 minute survival float	200m pool swim within 5 minutes	Run-Swim-Run (100m-100m-100m)
Under 14	200 metre swim (freestyle in under 5 min). 3 minute survival float	200m pool swim within 5 minutes	Run-Swim-Run (100m-100m-100m)
Notes	P.E will take place at registration days	C.E must be successfully completed before a junior member is eligible for competition and before December 31 st .

THIS IS A MANDATORY REQUIREMENT FOR YOUR CHILDREN TO BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN WATER-BASED ACTIVITIES OR COMPETE FOR THE CLUB.

The beach-based activities include the beach run, where children will sprint a pre-determined course along the sand, and the flags event.

Club caps must be worn at all times during Minnows' activities. All competitors must wear club caps and must finish events with the cap on the head and tied under the chin.

Caps are worn for safety reasons so children can be seen in the water and differentiated from Water Safety Officers.

Water safety officers wear ORANGE caps, Surf LifeSavers wear RED & YELLOW caps. Caps MUST be removed after signing off at the end of Sunday morning activities.

Age Beach & Water Events.
Under 8s
Sprint, Flags, Wade races & relays.
Under 9s to Under 14s
Sprint, Flags, Surf swim, Surfboard, Iron person, relays, team events.

Handicap events
Events on these days are handicapped so that ALL children get a fair chance of winning major titles at the end of the season. Handicaps are established from the start of the season and are continually monitored and adjusted.

Club Championship Events and Scratch Day
These events are held without handicaps, all children start on go and races are in age groups. There are (3) three Championship days and the combined "aggregate" of the scores of the three days determines the championship winners.

Iron Person Events
All children in the Under 10s - Under 14s compete in Iron Person events, with the course incorporating a swim and board leg and a short sprint.

Other events
Other age relays, team relays, team surf events, rescue races and special fun events are also held during the season. Details of these - and all other events - can be found on the special Coogee Minnows calendar you received in your registration kit.

All Minnows are instructed in surf safety and awareness and are tested by the club. Children will receive the necessary instruction to achieve their award throughout the season. This is called the Surf Education and Skills Development program. This program is an essential part of the Minnows season, a requirement for participation in major carnivals, and is the official award from SLSA (Surf Lifesaving Australia).

The program for each age group is as follows: Under 8s Surf Awareness 1; Under 9s Surf Awareness 2; Under 10s Surf Safety 1; Under 11s Surf Safety 2; Under 12s Surf Smart 1; Under 13s Surf Smart 2; Under 14s Surf Life Saving Certificate.

Water event conditions
The safety of the children is our first concern. The Minnows Captain or Patrol Captain are the only people authorised to allow water events to start or to continue in the case of doubtful conditions.
When children are in the water, there is an official minimum ratio of Water Safety Officers to children. If the level is not achieved, water events cannot continue.

We have a supply of 22 club boards and all children are able to use these boards during competition. Under 9s & Under 10s use a foam surf board. Under 11s through to Under 13s can use either the foam boards or fibre glass boards. The under 14s will this season be using our new Racing Mals. Only under 14s who have been trained on these boards are allowed to use them.

All these boards are expensive to repair and replace. They are only available for Sunday morning Minnows activities or for supervised training. They are not available for general recreation. Club boards used by children must be taken back to the shed.

We are not a babysitting service. Minnows can take three hours or more on some days so it is imperative that parents NEVER leave their child unattended at Minnows.

Although the aim of Minnows is to educate your children about the fundamentals of surf awareness and surf safety, Minnows is not a 'learn to swim' program. Children are expected to be able to confidently swim the required distance for their age group (as stated earlier in this handbook) BEFORE they are able to compete in any water events.

Click here for the complete training schedule for Minnows parents

We are continually working to make the Coogee Minnows a club where all children feel proud to be a member, where they learn individual and team skills on the beach and in the surf, and above all where they have a great time each weekend. As a voluntary organisation we need help from you, the parents and guardians, to be able to make this happen.

This year we are continuing with our program of team activities on the beach. This means we will continue to need Age Group Assistants to provide support to the Age Managers. These positions are supported by officials to help with marshalling age groups, recording places for races, and teams to assist in setting up the beach each Sunday.

We will also require qualified water safety officers in the surf (must have Bronze Medallion) during swimming and board events.

I am also looking for volunteers to help in the surf education activities (assisting age convenors guide the children through the simple workbooks during the season).

We will be in contact with last year's age convenors to confirm your continued involvement shortly.

Please indicate on the tear-off slip attached how you would like to become involved with the Coogee Minnows surf club in any of the roles indicated, and return this with your completed registration forms.

We will be very happy to discuss any of these roles with you at the Registration days. This year's Bronze Squads, to obtain your surf bronze medallion, and therefore work with the kids in the water, will be trained via the Senior Club, so please indicate your interest for this also.

Our first Bronze group is the Spring Bronzies.

They will commence training on September 9th. If you have any interest and need more information please send an email to info@coogeeminnows.com.au.

Bronze Certificate qualified parents are essential to the success of Coogee Minnows.

REGISTRATION & PROFICIENCY SWIM ARRANGEMENTS:

Registration days for 2008 - 2009 Season

ALL REGISTRATIONS HAVE NOW CLOSED



Registration fees, for this season will be $95.00 per child, or $135.00 for two children and $165.00 for three or more children from one family (GST inclusive).

(Please Note: Cash and Cheques ONLY, Credit Cards are not accepted)

All registering Minnows will receive a Coogee Minnows T-shirt as part of their registration fee. All Minnows must have a club cap, which if you are a new Minnow, can be purchased on registration day for $15. We are continuing with the reversible caps with the club colours on one side and a single age group colour on the other.

Age groups have their own colour, which remains the same for each following season, so keep your colour caps from last season.

All the Minnows Club gear including swimming costumes and hats (not compulsory), are available to purchase on the Registration days, and at the beach each Sunday - 8.30 - 9.30am.

Proficiency Swims: Please Read

In order to participate in water activities on the beach, individuals must achieve a minimum proficiency level. This minimum requirement, established by Surf Lifesaving Australia, is known as a Preliminary Evaluation. This is the proficiency evaluation that will take place on the two registration days.

Minnows that want to compete for Coogee must also complete their Competition Evaluation. This is required before registering for any competition, including Randwick Shield, Branch and State carnivals. These will take place in the first two weeks on the beach.

Age group	Preliminary Evaluation	Competition Evaluation
		Timed Pool Swim	Run-Swim-Run
Under 8	25 metre swim (any stroke) 1 minute survival float	Nil	Nil
Under 9	25 metre swim (any stroke) 1 minute survival float	200m pool swim within 6 minutes	Run-Swim-Run (50m-50m-50m)
Under 10	25 metre swim (freestyle) 1.5 minute survival float	200m pool swim within 6 minutes	Run-Swim-Run (50m-50m-50m)
Under 11	50 metre swim (freestyle) 2 minute survival float	200m pool swim within 5 minutes	Run-Swim-Run (50m-100m-50m)
Under 12	100 metre swim (freestyle) 2 minute survival float	200m pool swim within 5 minutes	Run-Swim-Run (50m-100m-50m)
Under 13	150 metre swim (freestyle) 3 minute survival float	200m pool swim within 5 minutes	Run-Swim-Run (100m-100m-100m)
Under 14	200 metre swim (freestyle in under 5 min). 3 minute survival float	200m pool swim within 5 minutes	Run-Swim-Run (100m-100m-100m)
Notes	P.E will take place at registration days	C.E must be successfully completed before a junior member is eligible for competition and before December 31 st .

A Registration Form can be downloaded here

SEASON 2008-2009 CALENDAR

Dates 2008	BBQ/Beach set-up	Activity
Saturday September 27		12:30 Age Mgrs 1:30 - 4.30 pm Compulsory Afternoon Training Workshop for Age Convenors and all Assistants & Water Safety Officers - Coogee Bay Hotel. This session for those who have attended this course prior
Sunday September 28		New parents information day - 10am Coogee Surf Club
Sunday October 12		Introduction - Meet and greet: Activities - Registration and proficiencies
Saturday October 18		1:30 - 4:30 pm Compulsory Afternoon Training Workshop for Age Assistants Water Safety Coogee Bay Hotel This session for those who have not attended this course prior.
Sunday October 19	13's & 14's	Surf Education - Teams Day 1 - Iron Man: Randwick Shield Teams Selected: 10:45 am Skills Information session for Age Assistants
Sunday October 26	12's	John Mudge Day - Fun Day (U/6 - U/7)
Sunday November 2	11's	Skill Session 30 mins then PB Day 1 & Training for Randwick Shield
Sunday November 9	10's	Life Saving Skills day and Surf Ed
Sunday November 16	9's	Teams Day 2 - Iron Man
Friday November 21		7.00pm -9.30pm: Minnows Parents Seafood Buffet - Coogee Surf Club
Sunday November 23	BBQ @ Club	Randwick Shield (U/8 - U/14) - at South Maroubra
Sunday November 30		No activities due to Senior Carnival at the beach - (ISLAND Challenge Carnival)
Friday 5th - Sunday 7th December		Branch Development Camp for U/13's Port Hacking
Sunday December 7	8's	PB Day 2
Sunday December 14		Christmas Party / Family Fun Day 4 weeks holiday - No activities
Dates 2009
Sunday January 11		Skills Development -Life Saving for Under 10's -13's
Sunday January 18		Teams Day 4
Wed-Fri January 22-23	2 days	Coogee Minnows Surf Camp at Coogee Beach
Sunday January 25		Specialty Training Day - invite senior coaches from surf camp (CONSIDER AUST. DAY IMPACT)
Friday 31st Jan - Sunday 1st Feb