Nippers

 NIPPERS

The Williamstown Swimming & Life Saving Club’s (WS&LSC) Nipper Program aims to provide a friendly safe environment where both Nippers and Parents can increase their life saving and water safety knowledge and skills whilst having a bit of fun on the beach. This presents a great pathway to becoming a patrolling member of our Club.

Nippers aged 5-12 learn about surf awareness and safety through the national program as set out by Surf Life Saving Australia. This Surf Education program is structured specifically to Nippers’ ages and abilities and gradually teaches them basic lifesaving skills and to be safe around an ocean aquatic environment as well as developing their skills to compete in surf sports. Nippers participate in swimming, running, board paddling, wading, and other activities and games. They learn about waves, different beach types, how to identify a rip, and how to catch a wave. CPR and basic first aid are also part of the program.

Registration

Registration is now open for 2024/2025 season! For further information:

Membership must be finalised prior to nipper registrations closing on 13 October 2024, including receipt of Working With Children Checks from Services Victoria.

Session Dates and Times

The program runs most Sundays starting 10 November, with a break over Christmas and returning mid January through to February.

Please sign in by 8:45 (15 minutes before the session begins). The program runs 9:00 to 10:30 am.

All Nippers must be signed in and signed out to adhere to safety requirements.

For Starfish Nippers Program details click here.

What to Wear and Bring

Nippers should arrive at the beach with:

  • A parent or other adult (you must remain on the beach at all times and sign them in and out)
  • Bathers
  • Club rashie – required to be worn at all times
  • Wetsuit – optional but recommended on colder days, especially for younger nippers
  • Sun block – applied prior to the session
  • Goggles
  • Towel
  • Water bottle

How to Determine Your Child’s Age Group

Nippers cannot be registered before their 5th birthday (the Under 6 group). Each nipper is appointed to an age group based on their age on 30th September for the upcoming season. There are no exceptions.

Age Group Date Ranges for 2024/2025 season
U6 01/10/2018 – 30/09/2019
U7 01/10/2017 – 30/09/2018
U8 01/10/2016 – 30/09/2017
U9 01/10/2015 – 30/09/2016
U10 01/10/2014 – 30/09/2015
U11 01/10/2013 – 30/09/2014
U12 01/10/2012 – 30/09/2013
U13 01/10/2011 – 30/09/2012

Preliminary Swim Assessment

Please be aware that Nippers is not a learn-to-swim program. All participants are expected to be engaged in regular swimming lessons to ensure that they can meet the required proficiency.

Preliminary swim evaluations are a risk management procedure that is in place to ensure nippers are fit and able to meet the minimum requirements for safety of the nipper program.

Each Nipper is required to complete a Preliminary Swim Evaluation each season prior to commencing Nipper activities in the water as the requirements are different for each age group. These can be completed either by:

  • Marked by a swim teacher prior to the season. Click here for the preliminary form that their swimming instructor must use.
  • U8-U13 only Club run sessions – dates TBC

Nippers who have not completed their prelim swim assessments are not permitted to participate in water activities. Please forward forms signed off by swimming instructors to juniors@williamstownslsc.org.au

Parent Involvement

The success of the Nipper and Starfish Nippers program depends on the volunteers and sponsors from the community. Without nipper parents volunteering in a variety of roles, we would not be able to train our nippers to become lifesavers of the future and keep our beaches safe.

Due to the high demand for nipper spots this season we require parental assistance and there will be an expectation that each family will put their name down on the sign in sheets. This does not apply to Starfish nipper families.

These sheets will be available at the nipper rashie collection sessions but you may also email juniors@williamstownslsc.org.au to sign up earlier. Refer to Position Descriptions below:

Not volunteering may impact your child’s participation in upcoming seasons. We need to have enough Age Managers to run the program and training is provided with ongoing support from experienced Age Managers.

Ye old adage of many hands make light work is true when it comes to a successful nipper program

Information Guide

Further information and details on both the Nippers and Starfish Nippers programs can be found here.