+ Entry Requirements

The Nippers program is not a “learn to swim” program. If you are seeking a learn to swim program for your child we strongly encourage you to enrol them in “learn to swim” classes.

We do recognise that swimming in the ocean is a new experience for many children and that even competent pool swimmers can find this challenging at first. Our aim is to encourage children and to help develop their confidence and skills swimming in the ocean as well as provide surf and inland waterway education.

To enter the Nippers program, your child must have the following age-related swimming ability:

• Under 6 From a standing position in waist deep water perform a front glide for 1-2m and recover to a secure position; perform a back or front float for a minimum of 5 seconds and recover to a secure position
• Under 7 From a standing position in waist deep water perform a front glide, kick for 3m and recover to a secure position; perform a back float for 15 seconds whilst holding a buoyant aid and recover to a secure position
• Under 8 25m swim (any stroke); 1 minute survival float (on back)
• Under 9 25m swim (any stroke); 1 minute survival float (on back)
• Under 10 25m swim (freestyle/front crawl); 1 1/2 minute survival float (on back)
• Under 11 50m swim (freestyle/front crawl); 2 minute survival float (on back)
• Under 12 100m swim (freestyle/front crawl); 3 minute survival float (on back)
• Under 13 150m swim (freestyle/front crawl); 3 minute survival float (on back)

+ Registration Details

• Each participating child must have a Parent / Guardian that is both a club member and an Adult Helper
• Register yourself and participating children as club members
• To Join as a new member, please vist https://www.woolamaibeach.org.au/nippers-join-us
• To Renew as an existing member, please visit https://www.woolamaibeach.org.au/nippers-renew
• Every adult club member and every Adult Helper must have a valid Victorian Working With Children Check. Apply or renew at www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au
• A Parent / Guardian may be a club member and Adult Helper for multiple participating children
• For terms and conditions visit www.woolamaibeach.org.au/admin/terms-conditions-nippers

For any support with registration details, please visit https://www.woolamaibeach.org.au/requirements for step by step guides on how to complete memberships and WWCC.

+ Working With Children Check

• Checks are valid 5 years; if you have one, consider if it needs renewal or updating with the below details
• Checks are free for members of volunteer organisations

You must nominate as your organisations

• Woolamai Beach SLSC PO Box 49, San Remo VIC 3925, Phone 03 5956 7311
• Life Saving Victoria 200 The Boulevard, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, Phone 03 9676 6900

You must nominate Occupational Codes

• 10 Overnight camps
• 28 Coaching and tuition
• 42 Clubs and associations

+ Proposed Schedule of Times

Cleeland Bite

• U6 9:00-10:00am only
• U7 9:00-10:00am OR 10:30-11:30am
• U8 9:00-10:00am OR 10:30-11:30am
• U9 9:00-10:00am OR 10:30-11:30am
• U10 10:45am-12:00pm only
• U11 9:00-10:15am only

Smiths Beach

• U12 8:30-10:00am only
• U13 10:15-11:45am only

+ Program Cost

• Program fee per child = $115
• Club junior membership per child = $30
• Club social membership for adult = $30
• Optional Raffle Tickets $10, $20, $30

+ Additional Cost

• Woolamai Beach SLSC high visibility rash vest (must be compliant) = $50
• Optional Raffle Tickets $10, $20, $30

+ Raffle Tickets

• For the past decade a big part of the Nippers program has been our raffle. The raffle is an important fundraiser which helps the Club and helps keep our Nippers program affordable
• The raffle will be drawn daily online, with winners posted on our Facebook page and contacted via text message
• Tickets can be purchased at time of registration
• Please do your best to support the businesses who support us - Some of the businesses who have donated prizes last season and in previous seasons include: San Remo IGA / Saltwater Hotels and Resorts / Silverwater Resort / San Remo Hotel / Clip n’ Climb / Phillip Island Ten Pin Bowling / Island Surfboards / Rip Curl Phillip Island / Phillip Island Nature Park / Phillip Island Chocolate Factory / Purple Hen Winery / Priceline Pharmacy Cowes / San Remo Fish Co-op / Wildlife Coast Cruises / A Maze ‘N Things / Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit / Full Circle Surf Design / Cape Winds / Latitude Trading / Girls on Board

+ Age Groups

• The age group that your child will be in is calculated to be the age they are as at the 30th September the year you are joining. For example, if your child was 11 on the 30th September (turning 12 on the 5th Oct) they are classed as being in the under 12 age group (even though they are 12). Your child does not change age groups if their birthday falls during the program
• Woolamai Beach SLSC is looking to offer an Under 6 program for this year subject to helper availability. Therefore, all children must be a minimum age of 6 years as of 30 September to join Nippers.
• Under 6 White Cap, Surf Play 1, DOB: 01/10/17 to 30/09/18
• Under 7 Purple Cap, Surf Play 2, DOB: 01/10/16 to 30/09/17
• Under 8 Red Cap, Surf Aware 1, DOB: 01/10/15 to 30/09/16
• Under 9 Yellow Cap, Surf Aware 2, DOB: 01/10/14 to 30/09/15
• Under 10 Light Blue Cap, Surf Safe 1, DOB: 01/10/13 to 30/09/14
• Under 11 Dark Blue Cap, Surf Safe 2, DOB: 01/10/12 to 30/09/13
• Under 12 Light Green Cap, Surf Smart 1, DOB: 01/10/11 to 30/09/12
• Under 13 Dark Green Cap, Surf Smart 2, DOB: 01/10/10 to 30/09/11

+ Dates, Times, Locations

• Season 2023/24 runs Friday 29 December 2023 to Friday 5 January 2024 inclusive (with a rest day on New Year's Day)
• Nippers will run at both Cleeland Bight Beach and Smiths Beach

Below is the proposed times for the sessions - Subject to minimum numbers and parent volunteers

Under 6

• Cleeland Bight Beach (sheltered beach, end of Cottesloe Avenue, Cape Woolamai)
• Session duration = 60 minutes
• Register for 9.00am start

Under 7, Under 8 and Under 9

• Cleeland Bight Beach (sheltered beach, end of Cottesloe Avenue, Cape Woolamai)
• Session duration = 60 minutes
• Register for 9.00am or 10.30am start

Under 10

• Cleeland Bight Beach (sheltered beach, end of Cottesloe Avenue, Cape Woolamai)
• Session duration = 75 minutes
• Register for 10.45am start

Under 11

• Cleeland Bight Beach (sheltered beach, end of Cottesloe Avenue, Cape Woolamai)
• Session duration = 75 minutes
• Register for 9.00am start

Under 12

• Smiths Beach (gentle ocean beach, end of Smiths Beach Road, Smiths Beach)
• Session duration = 90 minutes
• Register for 8.30am start

Under 13

• Smiths Beach (gentle ocean beach, end of Smiths Beach Road, Smiths Beach)
• Session duration = 90 minutes
• Register for 10.15am start

+ Inclement weather

• Any changes to the program due to weather will be communicated via the Nippers Facebook page (on Facebook, search for Woolamai Beach SLSC Nippers Group and join to stay up-to-date)

+ What does my child need to bring?

• Bathers
• Wetsuit (recommended)
• Goggles
• Towel
• Woolamai Beach SLSC high visibility rash vest (if a child does not have a Woolamai Beach SLSC high visibility rash vest from a previous season, one can be purchased for $50 during the enrolment process). This must be LSV compliant, i.e.: club issued, non-faded, and high visibility
• Wide-brimmed hat
• Sunscreen (applied to child and some spare)
• Water bottle (full of water)
• Coloured life saving cap (on loan from the club for the duration of the program)

We are a Sun Smart club. Ensure your child:

• Arrives with sunscreen applied
• Wears a Woolamai Beach SLSC compliant rash vest
• Wears a wide-brimmed hat

+ What activities do participating children undertake?

Surf education, basic first aid skills, running and flags, swimming, board paddling, wading, and lots of FUN activities.

+ Adult Helper Roles

• Each participating child must have a Parent / Guardian as an Adult Helper
• Those who register children will be required to nominate for roles including: Age Manager, Assistant Age Manager, Water Safety, Cleaning, First Aid, Set-Up and Pack-Up.

+ What can I do to help?

• Purchase club merchandise and raffle tickets
• Sponsor the Nippers program @ www.woolamaibeach.org.au/donate
• Support our sponsors

+ Other frequently asked questions

Junior awards – what are these for my child? Each age level award has sessions that they participate in to acquire relevant skills and knowledge. They will need to attend and participate in all the compulsory sessions to attain the award.

What happens when my child finishes all the various junior age groups? The Junior Development Program is designed to gradually introduce your child into the role of a qualified surf lifesaver and assist in patrolling the beaches. They can continue to be involved in a variety of competition events if desired. They will undertake various other awards and learn many facets of community service involvement. They can be taught specialist areas of competition and compete both at a state and a national level.