NIPPER SIGN-ON CLOSED FOR 2023/24 SEASON

If you are interested to join our 2024/25 season we will open a mailing list in June/July 2024.

 

Eligibility

A child MUST be aged 5 – 13 years old as of 30th September 2023 to be eligible for Nippers and they must be able to complete the pool and beach evaluations explained below.
 

NIPPERS IS NOT A LEARN TO SWIM PROGRAM

To participate in Nipper activities, every child MUST pass a pool evaluation, which vary by age group.
 
Age groups are decided by the child’s age as of 30 September e.g. a child who is 8 years old will be eligible for the U9 age group.

Beach Evaluations

Children joining the U8 – U14 age groups, who pass their pool evaluation, are also required to pass a Beach Evaluation, which involves a deep wade for U8s and open water swim for U9s-U14s:
 
  • U8 – 25m Run/25m Wade/25m Run
  • U9 & U10 – 50m Run/50m Swim/50m Run
  • U11 & U12 – 50m Run/100m Swim/50m Run
  • U13 & U14 – 100m Run/100m Swim/100m Run
The pool and beach evaluations are for your child’s safety and we take them seriously, especially for U9s to U14s who will train in open water where they can encounter surf conditions such as waves, rips, sweeps, etc.
 
If you do NOT feel your child is ready to pass these evaluations, please consider enrolling them in a swim school instead to improve their swimming skills and fitness.

2023/24 Family Membership Fees

At least one parent/guardian must join with their child(ren). Membership fees include:
  • ONE vest and cap per Nipper, which must be worn at all times during Nippers
  • Use of all club equipment, including boards
  • Access to club facilities, including hot showers
  • Surf education course

Our Family Membership fees for new families for the 2023/24 season are:

  • 1 child up to 18 + up to 2 parents – $340
  • 2 children up to 18 + up to 2 parents – $380
  • 3 children up to 18 + up to 2 parents – $420
  • Per additional child – $40

Valid FairPlay vouchers can be redeemed to contribute to membership fees.

Season Information

The first day of the 2022/23 season is Sunday 8th October 2023.

  • Our Nipper season starts on Sunday 8th October and is on every Sunday until mid-March, except for a Christmas break and if Nippers is cancelled due to carnival commitments. 
  • Nipper Sundays start at 8:15am. U6/U7 age groups finish by 10am and all other age groups finish between 10:30am and 11:00am.
  • On a typical Sunday, Nippers rotate through a program of activities – Beach Flags, Beach Sprints, Boards, Swim (or Wade for U6 – U8s) and surf education. U6 and U7 age group activities are based on beach and water games.
  • A parent or guardian MUST stay on the beachfront at all times while their child is signed in to Nippers.

Refund Policy

For insurance reasons, membership fees must be paid in full prior to attending a Nipper Sign-On Day to do the pool evaluations. Families of children who do not pass their evaluation will receive a full refund.
Due to expenses incurred by the club for each Nipper there are no refunds after the first Nipper session of the season – Sunday 8th October 2023.

Nippers FAQs

The age group that your child will be in is calculated to be the age they are as at the 30th September the year you are joining. For example, if your child was 11 on the 30th September (turning 12 on the 5th Oct) they are classed as being in the under 12 age group (even though they are 12).

  • Each age group is assigned a volunteer age manager and assistant, who are usually parents of Nippers and young lifesaving members.
  • At the start of every Sunday morning session, nippers are signed on to confirm their attendance
  • Activities are split into 4 zones – Sprint, Swim, Flags & Board. The various age groups are rotated between each zone every 20 or 30 minutes.
  • At the end of each Sunday morning session, nippers are signed off.
  • Water safety volunteers ensure the safety of nippers while in the water.
  • Swimmers
  • Age group cap (purchased from club)
  • Hi-vis nipper vest (purchased from club)
  • Long sleeve t-shirt or rash shirt
  • Sun hat
  • Towel
  • Water bottle
  • Sunscreen.

Nippers will only be cancelled in the event of severe weather – it is rare for nippers to be cancelled. Conditions may call for cancellation of water activities however beach activities and Surf Education may still be on. Changes to nipper events will be communicated by both Surfguard and Social Media at the earliest time possible.

We actively encourage strict adherence to SLSQ’s Sun Safety Policy.

There are a wide range of opportunities available for members interested in participating in surf lifesaving sport. Members from U8 to Seniors can compete in carnivals across the Branch. Carnivals will be advertised throughout the season.