Media Release Tuesday January 27, 2009
“Victorian Surf Clubs first to adopt Nipper program sun safety standards”
Two large Victorian Surf Life Saving Clubs have undertaken to be the first to adopt vital new benchmarks leading to safer Nippers programs for our children.
Two weeks ago the The Australasian College of Skin Cancer Medicine (ACSCM) urged Nippers programs to rethink sun safety priorities. ACSCM called for four urgent nationwide principles for Nipper programs:
· Complete Nippers programs prior to 11 AM (Day Light saving time) or start after 4 PM (Day Light Saving)
· Rash vests, (preferably long sleeved) must be worn by participating children
· Broad brimmed hats must be worn between events
· Organisers ensure sunscreen is reapplied whenever sessions are longer than 2 hours
While some Clubs already adhere to some of these principles, all four are needed. Following consultation, the life saving clubs at Anglesea and Torquay have undertaken to be the first to ensure all four principles are in place for the 2009/10 season.
In discussions with ACSCM, Anglesea Club President Warren Clarke and Torquay Club President Peter Robinson recognised that their current programs met some but not all of these standards. They undertook to work with their clubs to ensure all four policies were adopted next season.
As part of the transition phase to safer standards, ACSCM’s Associate Professor Anthony Dixon undertook to work with the clubs and talk to both communities prior to next season to assist explaining the need for these simple but needed changes.
ACSCM President Dr. Neil Chorley said today, “We welcome the responsibility taken by these two Victorian surf clubs. We hope their leadership for their most junior members will flow on to all Surf Clubs throughout Australia.” Dr. Chorley explained, “Australians underestimate the significance of avoiding the middle of the day while relying too much on sunscreens as a panacea for sun damage.” While the sky might not be much brighter at Noon compared with 10AM, the ultraviolet radiation is dramatically lower when we are two hours away from 1PM Daylight saving time or Noon standard time.
Dr. Chorley stressed that, “Long sleeved shirts are essential sun protection. Sunscreens can wash off or be wiped off without you knowing.” Dr. Chorley urges clubs to organise rash vests that extend below the elbow for the next season. At present some clubs provide rash vests that only cover the shoulders, others have longer sleeves while some have vests that extend to the wrist. “The longer the better” was Dr. Chorley’s advice.
Dr Chorley commented further, “It is ironic to sometimes see officials with broad brimmed hats, long sleeve rash shirts, long board shorts and sun glasses while the nippers are not wearing the same attire. If the traditional cap is a requirement, wear the club cap under the hat, remove the hat for the swim or similar activities and consider modifying the caps with a strap to cover over the ears. ”
Dr. Chorley explained that, “No measure is more important than provision of suitable hats. Broad brimmed hats are the best protection for the skin on the face but also assist shielding the eyes from excessive sun damage.” ACSCM has called on surf clubs to place a priority on providing sponsored broad brimmed hats to all club nippers. Anglesea and Torquay have undertaken to adopt this priority.
“Congratulations to Anglesea and Torquay Surf Life Saving Clubs. They will set a new standard for the safety of their youngest members; a standard that we hope will now be adopted throughout the country. Safety for Australian children is the winner”, Dr. Chorley concluded.