Nippers is Surf Life Saving for children aged between 5 and 13 years. Children from 5 to 7 years may join on an educational basis, while children from 8 years up may join in competitions representing Newport SLSC. They can compete in Northern Beaches inter-club competitions, Sydney Branch and state carnivals. While competition is an important element, surf awareness and education is the primary aim. Children are taught how to respect and read the surf, and to use it to their advantage.

Who Can Join?

Any girl or boy may join Nippers and you DON'T have to be competitive or athletic or even confident in the surf. One of the best things about Nippers is seeing young children who are scared of the water lose their fear during the season. Children with disabilities are welcome but in some cases a Doctor's letter will be requested stating that the child is capable of undertaking certain events or activities. In all cases, the child would not be expected to participate in any event or activity where the disability might cause danger to the child.

Age Groups

Children are divided into Age Groups, U6, U7, U8, U9, U10, U11, U12, U13 and U14. The child's age is taken as at 30 September each year. For example, if a child turns 10 on or before September 30, they would be in the Under 10 age group for the whole of that season. Each Age Group has two Age Managers who organise, run and control the activities each Sunday. Most Age Managers are parents too.

Parent Involvement

Parents are actively encouraged to participate in their child's Age Group activities. Many parents are former (or current) members of Life Saving Clubs and assist with the provision of water safety for events. Other parents act as age managers or committee members. Any parent who is interested in doing their Bronze Medallion please see your child's Age Manager who will provide you with details.

Registration

There are two types of Nippers registration; individual registration where a parent and their child is registered; or family registration where all children and both parents are registered.

Each Sunday...

Activities commence at 9:00am each Sunday - rain, hail, out of control surf (beach or indoor activities only) or shine. We start early to get the kids out of the sun before the hottest part of the day.

Under the control of their Age Managers the children participate in several events. Depending on their age and competency, activities may be on the beach or in the water.

To give you a brief idea of what happens on the beach, there are:

beach races

running over a set distance on the sand (50m - 70m depending on age);

flags

lying flat on the sand, then getting up and running a short distance to grasp lengths of hose standing in the sand;

beach relays

teams of four run a relay over similar distances to the beach;

surf wade

running through shallow water around a heavily supervised course (usually for younger age groups)

In the water events

(for U9 and above age groups only where the children have met certain proficiencies*) there are:
Surf swims - swimming from the beach, around a "U" shaped course 80m long, and back again.
Board races - similar to the surf swim, but paddling boards around the course.
Run / swim / run - a race combining two sprints along the beach separated by a swim leg.
Iron Woman / Iron Man - a race involving running on the sand, swimming and paddling a board around a set course.
Board relay - a team paddles their boards in turn around the course.
Board rescue - one competitor swims out to a buoy then the next competitor paddles the boards to them, picks them up and paddles back to the beach.

After Nipper's there's always the BBQ upstairs in the club, with food and drinks for sale. The girl and boy Nipper of the Week from each age group gets a sausage sandwich and drink free!

*Proficiency

Before a child is allowed to participate in any water event or activity (ie. an event where they would be in water out of their depth) they are required to take a proficiency evaluation. This consists of a supervised swim in still water (usually done in the pool) to a specific time and a supervised surf swim over a swim course distance (varies by age group). Children who cannot pass the minimum proficiency are limited for their safety to beach and wade events only and cannot enter carnivals.

Further Information

Want to know more, see your Age Manager or the Age Co-ordinator.

Remember we're here to have FUN and learn about Surf Safety!

Download Nippers Information booklet here

The Special Needs Program

An extension of the voluntary services that Newport SLSC has provided to the community in recent years has been the continuance of our ground breaking program for kids with special needs. This is one of only 2 programs being offered within NSW, and incorporates our Dolphins and Marlins groups for kids aged 6 yrs up to young adults.

The program was developed and delivered to allow for developmentally disabled kids to participate in junior surf life saving activities (modified Nippers Program). This has seen the kids learn and participate in activities such as flags, sprints, beach relays, as well as a number of other recreational activities. The Program also sees the kids learn to balance and paddle surfboards and to experience the excitement of catching, for many, their very first wave to the shore.

This Program has been so successful and has given an opportunity for kids with special needs, who may not have had such an opportunity if not for a dedicated bunch of members at Newport, to learn about the surf and safety at the beach. It has also given our members the opportunity to meet these special people, and share in their excitement as they master new skills throughout the season.

The Dolphins and Marlins groups are now integrated into Newport's regular nipper program, and both groups will run concurrently throughout the season (dates to be advised).

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