Nippers! Serious Fun! If you have a child between 5 and 13 that loves the beach and you'd like them to learn some skills in the surf, then Cape Paterson Nippers is the perfect program. Nippers is an excellent way to introduce your child to the surf and sand. Our Nipper program is for Children aged 5 (as at 30/09/2021) to 13 and includes developing surf awareness and surf education. Nippers will learn skills on the beach and in the water whilst having fun. Following the Surf Education program, Nippers will have a good awareness of beach hazards such as waves and rips and also have a basic knowledge of first aid skills. Competition is offered that incorporates fun and teamwork. Events for Nippers involve swimming, board paddling, wadding, running, beach flags, and relays. Competition is optional.
What does the Nippers program involve? A basic knowledge of water safety is vital when swimming at the beach and the Nipper Program aims to teach children surf awareness, surf skills, lifesaving skills and competition/teamwork skills. Nippers should end up with a good awareness of beach hazards like surf and rips and a basic knowledge of first aid skills.
Children are allocated to their age groups (age taken as of 30 September) and an age-appropriate program is provided which includes theory and practical activities.
New - The Starfish Nippers Program! James Langlands and Charlie Crawford are very excited to be running our Starfish Nippers program for the first time. Starfish Nippers provides kids with disabilities the opportunity to participate, supported 1-on-1 by trained helpers. We would love some volunteers to assist. Training will be provided. Please contact Charlie and James if interested or just to learn more. nipper.delegate@cpslsc.org.au
Nipper session times and dates Please refer to the Nippers Events calendar for all session dates and session times - please note the calendar is a work in progress and changes may be made closer to summer. This calendar also outlines all social activities offered for Nippers.
Where will the Nipper sessions be held? We meet at the Surf Life Saving Club and head down to First Surf Beach for practical activities.
I would like to be a Nipper Age Manager. How can I help? Parents / guardians are asked to consider assisting the program by volunteering to an an Age Group Manager or Parent / Guardian helper for one of the age groups. Each age group needs a few adult helpers at each session. Nipper Age Group Managers are volunteers who run one of the age levels – they are given training and the resources required to run each session. The Nipper Delegates are always available for assistance. A form in the Nipper booklet gives you the chance to join in – please complete and submit if you are interested.
What does the Nipper program cost? We appreciate that many of us have experienced Covid challenges, so this year's fee will remain as per 2020-21 (i.e. half of the 2019 fees - please note that fee reduction is temporary for 2021-22 summer only). Fees must be paid before your Nipper can commence training. Payment ensures your child is insured by Life Saving Victoria.
2021-22 reduced fees are as follows:
$52.50 – First Nipper (this includes one parent associate member)
$32.50 – All subsequent Nippers
Another option is to join the club under Nipper family membership package:
2 adults + 1 Nipper - $72.50
2 adults + 2 Nippers - $107.50
2 adults + 3 Nippers - $132.50
Please note Nippers MUST have a hi-vis competition vest as part of registration as well as a nipper cap for safety reasons. If your child does not have a vest, these are available for $20 and Nipper caps are $10, which can be purchased at the club on Registration Day (27 December 2021, 1-3pm) and ongoing sales each Nipper session.
How do I join the program? Online registrations, managed through Surf Life Saving Victoria, are currently open. This is the best way to join as you will secure your child’s place. There are limited spots available for the program, so get in early ... this link - https://sls.com.au/join - allows you to either join or renew your membership.
Once completed, you can complete the Cape Paterson registration form: click here to get the Nipper ball rolling!
For more information please contact our Nipper Co-ordinator, Charlie, on 0427 027 527 or at nipper.delegate@cpslsc.org.au.