Nippers Information

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Our Nippers Program

Rosebud-McCrae Life Saving Club NippersWhat & Why?

Nippers is surf lifesaving’s Education Program and is delivered at Life Saving Clubs across Victoria throughout summer. The program is about children participating in safe, fun and organised activities in a beach environment; teaching beach safety along with preparing them to be future lifesavers.

What will your Nipper learn?

Nippers is about learning, confidence and having fun in a safe beach environment. For Nippers, the beach is the classroom. They gain confidence by passing the ‘tests’ of swimming, boarding riding, beach sprints, dolphin-diving, spotting a rip, having fun with new friends and discovering things about themselves. They also learn valuable water safety awareness and skills that can applied whenever they visit the beach, a river, a lake or the pool. 

Nipper Skills

Nipper skills build progressively on skill development from U6-U13 in beach, water and lifesaving activities. The activities are designed to provide Nippers with the skills to be safe around open water and prepare them to complete their Surf Rescue Certificate.

Rosebud-McCrae Lifesaving Club Nippers

Age Groups

The minimum age for children to participate in the Nipper Education Program in Victoria is 5 years to a maximum age of 13 years. All Nippers are appointed to an age group each season based on their age at midnight on 30 September.

More about Nipper Age Groups
 

Swim Proficiency

Being able to swim competently is an integral part of making children safe at the beach as well as allowing them to actively participate and enjoy lifesaving activities. 

The Nippers program is not a “learn to swim” program.

Swimming evaluations are in place to ensure that Nippers are fit and able to meet the minimum requirements for safety during the Nipper Program. The evaluations consist of a swim and survival float.  

Want to join?

All Nippers that wish to be part of the program must:

  • Be part of a current Family Membership – Join on our membership page
  • Parents of Nippers must hold a current Working with Children Check
  • Be 5 – 13 years of age by midnight on September 30 in the current season
  • Complete a Preliminary Swim Evaluation prior to commencing Nipper activities in the water. ALSC offers club-run evaluation sessions.
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