Nippers is held on Sunday mornings at 8:00am for an 8:30am start, gathering first on the front lawn before heading to the beach. Nipper sessions run for 2-2.5 hours. Dates and locations ay change through the season based on weather and conditions, so please check communications regularly.
Junior Activities Chairperson (JAC) - Ryan Fulton
Junior Activities Deputy Chairperson - Alyce Gallen
Secretary - TBC
Nipper Treasurer - Dave Lipinski
Endorsed Age Managers (formerly JAAO) & other approved signatories for evaluations - Ryan Fulton, Alyce Gallen, Louise Clark, Adam Bishton, Todd Harris, Richard Turner, Jason Sherridan
Water Safety Officer - TBC
Gear Steward - Jason Sherridan
BBQ Coordinator - Phil Bamber
Clothing Coordinator - TBC
Club Photographer - TBC
Team Manager U8-U10 - Bree Brown
Team Manager U11-U14 - Jason Winn
Age Groups & What to Expect
Each age group will have a dedicated Age Manager, or sometimes two, who will guide and support our Nippers throughout the season. These wonderful volunteers help keep the sessions organised, fun and safe, and are there to encourage every child as they build confidence, friendships and surf skills.
Parents/ Guardians have the option to move their child down a age group whether it to be with friends or to gain the confidence needed to continue attending The below form must be completed prior to attending nippers.
https://form.jotform.com/232316598894067
U6 and U7
The 6/7s have their very own dedicated Nipper Zone on Sundays, where the focus is all about having fun, building water confidence and learning basic beach and surf skills in a safe, supportive environment. Activities are held in waist-deep water, with plenty of encouragement and guidance along the way.
Nippers in these age groups will be provided with either a pink or green Noddy cap to help identify them from other Nippers on the beach.
Parent involvement is highly encouraged in these younger age groups through the NSA program, where parents are given the skills and confidence to assist in the water and be part of the action alongside their children. It is a fantastic way to get involved, share the experience, and help create a fun and memorable start to your child’s Nipper journey.
U8
For our U8 Nippers, this is where the real fun begins! This age group focuses on developing skills further and “graduating” to the use of Nipper boards. For the first half of the season, U8s will be required to wear a plain blue Noddy cap while they continue building their confidence and competence in the water. Once they have achieved the required skills, they will be presented with their very first Club Noddy cap and will be ready to hit the waves on full-size Nipper boards.
U8s are also the first age group eligible to attend Carnivals, giving them the exciting opportunity to represent the club and compete against surrounding clubs in a fun, friendly and supportive environment. It is a wonderful milestone in their Nipper journey and a great way to experience the spirit of surf lifesaving.
U9 and U10
Our U9 and U10 Nippers continue to build on the skills, confidence and knowledge they have developed throughout their Nipper journey.
These age groups are all about strengthening surf awareness, board skills, swimming ability, teamwork and confidence in the beach environment, while still keeping sessions fun, active and supportive.
These are the final years of junior Nippers, helping prepare children for the exciting next step into Senior Nippers. It is a great stage where Nippers start to show more independence, take on new challenges and continue growing their confidence both in and out of the water.
U11 and U14
Our U11 to U14 Nippers begin to take their surf lifesaving skills to the next level. Along with continuing to develop their beach, board and water skills, they will also start learning valuable life skills such as CPR, first aid, surf safety and rescue awareness.
As they get older, eligible Nippers will also have the opportunity to complete their Surf Rescue Certificate, often known as the SRC. This is an exciting milestone that allows them to become more involved in surf lifesaving and, once qualified, begin attending beach patrols and contributing to the safety of our beach community.
This stage of Nippers is a fantastic opportunity for young members to build confidence, leadership, responsibility and lifelong skills, all while staying connected with their friends, their club and the surf lifesaving community.
U15
Our U15s program is an exciting next step for our older Nippers as they continue to grow their skills, fitness and confidence in the surf environment. This program will run on Sundays from 7:00am to 8:15am and will focus on further developing board skills, introducing surf ski skills, and fitness training in a challenging and supportive setting.
For our U15s who hold the relevant qualifications, we strongly encourage them to stay on after their session and get involved with the Nipper program by assisting with water safety, mentoring younger Nippers and helping set a positive example on the beach.
This is a fantastic opportunity for our U15s to show leadership, give back to the club and demonstrate what our future Nipper graduates are truly made of. Their involvement not only helps support the next generation of Nippers, but also builds confidence, responsibility and pride in being part of the surf lifesaving community.
