Good luck to all of our Nippers who are competing at the Victorian Junior Life Saving Championship in Warrnambool this weekend. This newsletter will outline some important information to make the weekend a huge success for all:

PROGRAM

The program will now commence on Friday 10 March, please check in at your age group Marquee at 1pm. Marshalling will be 1:30pm, First event 1:45pm. Beach events are scheduled for Friday, followed by water events on Saturday and Sunday. 

The full program can be found here. Remember the event list is only a guide – officials can change the order of events at any time, so please don’t assume you can arrive at (or leave) the beach or age group area based on the program as published!

Please remind your children that events run to finals, which will mean multiple races for the same event. A link to the full circular, competition and heat listings (when made available) will be put on TeamApp under the new chat room ‘Warrnambool Junior States 2023 - Important info’.

COMMUNICATION

A chat room will be created in Team App titled, ‘Warrnambool Junior States 2023 - Important info', please ensure you are checking Team App regularly throughout the weekend for important updates.

TEAM SELECTION

The coaches and team managers have thought long and hard about who goes into which team. Many different factors contribute to the decisions made – including a child’s attendance and dedication at training, attitude, as well as performance at carnivals and training throughout the season.

Many of the age groups will be announcing teams on the morning of team events – please support our coaches by letting your children know not to ask about who is in each team – they will find out!

COMPETING AND CONDUCT AT STATES

Competing at States can create a heightened level of anxiety for the kids and as parents, you play an important role in helping to alleviate this. Please stay positive and be supportive, particularly for the younger age groups. Whatever the result, let's remember the kids are doing their best.

So, if one of our Nippers is very upset or anxious about a particular race, please do not pressure them. The coaches and parents need to be supportive and work together to solve any issues which can arise at short notice.

IMPORTANT: If your Nipper decides on the line to not compete please let your coach AND the area official know that your child will not be going into the water. A head count is undertaken going in and coming out of the water – if anyone is ‘missing’, a search process commences. This also delays the running of heats – and we all want things to go quickly!

Nippers will not be forced to compete; they need to want to do it for themselves. Remind the nippers of our club motto – “Have Fun”, “Do Your Best”, “Look after your Team Mates” and “Be a Good Sport“

Be a good sport! Unsportsmanlike behaviour will not be tolerated, and it is certainly not how we want to be seen as a Club. This includes interfering with other competitors during a race, being rude to other competitors or officials (from Juc or other clubs) etc. If this behaviour is witnessed the competitor may be pulled from competition. It can also cause that child/team to be disqualified. Let your child know this is not on.

Parents, under no circumstances, may approach an official to question a decision or result. If you have a concern please let your team manager know and they will deal with the situation appropriately.

Do not let kids play in the sand dunes, if you see any Jan Juc kids in the dunes please ask them to hop out. As a club we can get penalised if our kids are caught in the dunes.

SOME COMMON WAYS TO GET DISQUALIFIED IN A RACE

• Breaking before the start of a race
• Not tagging properly in a relay.
• Not going around all cans in the water or the correct poles on the beach. Make sure your children know which cans they are to go around & not to just follow the  leader. It has been seen before that everyone has been DQ’d in the race except for the last competitor who went around all the correct cans! 
• Having your hands over the line during a baton change in beach relay
• Lots of technical reasons in board rescue and belt & reel!
• Those not competing, entering the finishing line zone before the race is completed and results announced, this includes the all team members in a team event the    first 3 team members need to remain in an allocated area until results are confirmed.
• Getting help from water safety during a race, water safety should not talk to competitors but make sure your child does not reply if they do.

If your child is not clear on any rules for their events, ask them to clarify with their coaches before the race. Their coach will likely do this anyway, but things can get busy!

COMPETITION ESSENTIALS

Don’t forget the following for each day of competition:
• Jan Juc Competition/Nipper cap
• Allocated pink RFID Band
• A club bucket hat to marshal in
• Your Jan Juc t-shirt to marshal in and for beach events (flags and beach sprint) – shoulders need to be covered.
• Something warm to put on between races

All competitors are expected to wear Jan Juc club gear when competing and supporting their team mates throughout the weekend. 

LSV Competition Rashies will be distributed by team managers.

FOOD AND STAYING HYDRATED

Your kids need to have access to lots of water & lots of smaller pieces of food. Ideas are obviously fruit but also healthy muffins, muesli slices, small rolls and sandwiches and yogurt squeeze packs. Please be aware of nuts on the beach and sharing between nippers, we do have allergies amongst us.

Kids do not need Gatorade type of drinks or lots of lollies. These are far too sweet for young bodies. They will only give them a very quick hit and do not provide sustained energy for long races; it may even make them feel worse; and just ask the coaches – does NOT help them concentrate. 

SLEEP

The single most important thing you can do to help your child be their best this weekend is to ensure that they get enough sleep throughout this whole week. We ask that ALL kids should be back in their own camp sites and not far off going to bed by 8pm on Friday and Saturday nights. The kids need their rest. Even if your child does not have many events on a certain day, other members of our team may and the camp sites are close together, so please ensure that you are abiding by our curfews for all team members to be fair for all. 

VOLUNTEERS

Thank you to everyone for your time volunteering, a roster has been created and will be released through signup genius by Wednesday with clear responsibilities for each role. If you are not a Coach, Team Manager, WS, IRB of official please nominate for one of these one of these roles , the link to sign up genius is in the team age group chats:

• Set up of JJ Marquees on Friday morning
• Pack up of JJ Marquees on Sunday afternoon
• LSV set up each day - 6:30AM
• LSV pack up each day - conclusion of events
• Marquee coordinator per age group - each day
• Board handling
• Sunday night BBQ

Water Safety, Officials and IRB Volunteers will receive notification from LSV of your shift details. if you need to change shifts you are responsible for finding a replacement and advising LSV at their Tent. A reminder that all Officials and Water Safety must sign on with Lifesaving Victoria on the day they are volunteering. 

Water Safety - there will be a key lock on the tow bar of the trailer for the trailer key. The code is our postcode 3228. It will be the responsibility of water safety to collect from and return all JJ water safety equipment to the trailer each day.  

Our Nipper Trailer is looking fantastic with the new branding! Thank you to the Bachelors for taking the trailer to states and the Seymours for bringing it home.

STATES JUMPERS

There are a limited number of 22/23 States Jumpers still available. Competitors who still wish to purchase will need to contact Anita at the JJ office to pay and collect. The office hours are 10 - 3PM Thursday, phone 0475 265 820.

PHOTOGRAPHY

An album dedicated to States, will be set up on the GO Juc Jan Juc Surf Club FB page to share the photos of our weekend. We are looking for keen photographers to take photos of each age group and share these in the album.

PLEASE NOTE - As per all carnivals, those wishing to take photos during the carnival must register at the LSV tent and collect a wristband, a Working With Childrens Check is required to register.

MORE TIPS FOR PARENTS FOR THE WEEKEND

• Only coaches and team managers are allowed in the marshalling areas. Parents will not be allowed in the marshalling areas. If you need to get something for your    child, please find the coach/team manager.
• Be prepared for very long days on the beach – we will need to be at the beach early and we all know carnivals can go for a long time. 
• Bring layered clothing and several towels for each nipper. The kids will need to stay warm in between events – a big jacket can be useful. Even with the weather        being warm kids still get cold between events
• Ensure your kids understand the importance of staying with their Age Group Managers at all times – they need to let their age group manager know where they        are at if they move away from their group. They may miss an event otherwise.
• Make sure the kids stay hydrated and well covered up to ensure no one gets sunstroke or sunburnt or hyperthermia depending on the conditions – it is Victoria!
• Remember to never approach an official with a complaint, if you have a concern talk to your age group coach. This can jeopardise the whole club’s competition.        This is very important and your cooperation is appreciated.
• Remind the kids that we celebrate all efforts and are proud of everyone who competes for our club. Disqualification is very common at the State Champs if races      are not done by the rules – be prepared. We have amazing kids, support them.

FINALLY - THE FUN STUFF

There will be a nail bar and braiding station in the caravan park in our area. Kids (and adults) are welcome to come along and paint their nails blue and get some braids. Please bring your own brush and hair ties.

Presentation and BBQ - This will run Sunday evening near the camp kitchen. A BBQ will be provided for the kids and parents are encouraged to bring nibbles, drinks and chairs. Coaches please be prepared to provide a wrap-up of states and present coaches awards. The time will be confirmed on the day once we know when the last event will run.

For those new to states, we have the traditional pier jump on Monday morning - Details will be in the States Team App Chat.

Let us know if you have any further questions about the State Championships.

Please keep an eye on Team App for more information and updates.

We can't wait to see you in Warrnambool, it's always a fun weekend!