About Nippers!
“Surf Life Saving is a great activity for growing a child's confidence, knowledge and skills in the beach environment. Not only will your child have fun and meet new friends, they will become part of an iconic organisation that has served the Australian community for over 100 years”
Nippers at Woolamai Beach SLSC is a beach education program that introduces children aged 6 to 13 years to lifesaving. Our Nippers Education Program is a seven day intensive program held each year over the Christmas / New Year period.
Delivered at two prominent beaches on Victoria’s Phillip Island - Cleeland Bight Beach and Smiths Beach - Nippers is not a “learn to swim program”. Nippers is about children participating in safe, fun, and organised activities in a beach environment, whilst developing lifesaving skills for the future. Activities have been designed to progressively develop the essential skills of Nippers as they move through each age group.
Nippers is a key initiative of the lifesaving movement and its continuous success is of vital importance to the growth of Woolamai Beach SLSC and surf lifesaving.
Program Overview
The main program for children aged 6–13 years at Life Saving Clubs in Victoria is the Nippers Education Program. This program is structured specifically to junior ages and abilities. It progressively teaches children basic water safety and lifesaving skills required to be safe around an aquatic environment, whilst encouraging teamwork and developing their skills to become future lifesavers.
Nippers start learning about beach and surf awareness and safety through the Nippers Education Program. They are also able to participate in board paddling, swimming, running, wading and other activities and games, that will assist Nippers to become future lifesavers.
Surf awareness and education is a primary aim of the program. Children are taught from the youngest age how to respect and read the surf and to use it to their advantage. This is done in an environment of fun, healthy lifestyle and camaraderie which is unique to lifesaving.
The Nippers Interactive Story is a great resource to share with your Nippers. Developed by Woolamai Beach SLSC for Life Saving Victoria, the story provides an overview as to what to expect at Nippers, and is beneficial for the whole family.
https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/cdn.learningx.com.au/rsb/nippers/story.html
Adult Helpers
To make sure Nippers runs successfully it is important that Parents / Guardians put their hands up and offer assistance. Parents / Guardians can put up their hands for various roles and tasks such as:
Age Manager
Assistant Age Manager
Water Safety
First Aid
Beach set up and pack up
Cleaning
Administration
Purchasing