Woolamai Nippers News - 16 December 2023
Join in with Nippers!
Friday 29 December 2023 – Friday 5 January 2024
“Our hugely popular summer intensive program teaches children aged 6–13 years surf education, life saving skills, and fitness, in a safe and fun environment”
Welcome to Wooli Nippers News, the newsletter of the Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) Nippers for season 2023/24.
In this edition:
Welcome to Nippers 2023/24
Program information
The Nippers 2023/24 program calendar
Nippers registration and rash vest collection
Volunteer and support the Nippers 2023/24 Program
Social Events
Join our Private Facebook Group
Junior Competition Team and competition events
Further enquiries
Welcome to Nippers 2023/24
A very warm welcome to all the new families who are participating in the program for the first time this season and also to our returning families who are back for another season.
Like Christmas, Nippers 2023/24 is rapidly approaching! The Nippers committee and club volunteers have been working hard behind the scenes to get things ready. Heading into our second post-COVID restriction Nippers season, the program numbers have continued to swell and 2023/24 is set to be a bumper year with close to 400 children participating in our program.
We look forward to seeing you out on the beach and at the Nippers social events this summer.
Program information
| Key information | What you need to know |
|---|---|
| Nippers 2023/24 program | The 2023/24 program will run from Friday 29 December 2023 to Friday 5 January 2024 inclusive, with a rest day on New Year’s Day (Monday 1 January 2024). All individual dates and events can be found in the Nippers 2023/24 program calendar below. |
| Age groups, locations and session times |
Under 6s, 7s, 8s, & 9sU6 – White Caps – Born between 1/10/2017 – 30/09/2018U7 – Purple Caps –Born between 1/10/2016 – 30/09/2017 U8 – Red Caps – Born between 1/10/2015 – 30/09/2016 U9 – Yellow Caps – Born between 1/10/2014 – 30/09/2015 Location – Cleeland Bight Beach, End of Cottosloe Avenue, Cape Woolamai Session times – Session 1 – 9:00 am – 10:00 am – Session 2 – 10:30 am – 11:30 am Under 10sU10 – Light Blue Caps – Born between 1/10/2013 – 30/09/2014Location – Cleeland Bight Beach, End of Cottosloe Avenue, Cape Woolamai Session time – 10:45 am – 12:00 pm Under 11sU11 – Dark Blue Caps – Born between 1/10/2012 – 30/09/2013Location – Cleeland Bight Beach, End of Cottosloe Avenue, Cape Woolamai Session time – 9:00 am – 10:15 am Under 12sU12 – Light Green Cap – Born between 1/10/2011 – 30/09/2012Location – Smiths Beach, Smiths Beach Road, Smiths Beach (unless advised otherwise) Session time – 8:30 am – 10:00 am Under 13sU13 – Dark Green Cap – Born between 1/10/10– 30/09/2011Location – Smiths Beach, Smiths Beach Road, Smiths Beach (unless advised otherwise) Session time – 10:15 am – 11:45 am |
| Rash vests and broad brimmed hats | To participate in the program, all children must wear a Woolamai Beach SLSC high visibility rash vest and a broad brimmed hat. For those who ordered a rash vest when they registered, rash vest collection details are provided below. |
| Communication about the Nippers program | Before we hit the beach communication around the Nippers program will be through our newsletter (The Wooli Nippers News) and via the private Wooli Nippers Facebook group. The Wooli Nippers Facebook Group is the primary way we will communicate with you during the program. If you are not already a group member, please see the information below on how to join the Wooli Nippers Facebook Group. |
| Volunteering | The Nippers program is organised and run by volunteers, and we need the support of all families to help make it happen. From helping bump in or out, setting up or packing away each day we need your help so the kids can get the most out of their Nippers program. You will be contacted by the Nippers committee about the support you offered during registration and what each volunteer role entails. Please see the details of some of the ways you can volunteer and support the Nippers Program below and stay tuned to the Wolli Nippers Facebook group for shoutouts for specific support and skills. |
The Nippers 2023/24 program calendar
The following Nippers 2023/24 program calendar details all the program and event dates. If you have a child or children participating in the program this is your one stop shop for all things Nippers.
| Date | Event | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 28 Dec 2023 | Bump in – Come and help get Nippers 2023/24 off to a flying start and help move the equipment from the Nipper Shed down to Cleeland Bight Beach – Trailer or utes are appreciated but not essential, we’d love to see you regardless | 9:00 am – 11:00 am | Meet at the Nipper Shed, 1 The Cranny, Cape Woolamai |
| Thu 28 Dec 2023 | JAMs training – Training session for all Junior Age Managers (JAMs) | 9:00 am – 3:00 pm | Cleeland Bight Beach, End of Cottosloe Avenue, Cape Woolamai |
| Thu 28 Dec 2023 | Rash vest pickup and Nippers merchandise sales – Ordered a rash vest or just want to get in early on some Nippers merch? Come and register your Nippers and see our amazing volunteers at the Clubhouse for your rash vest and merch needs | 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm | Pick up and sales from the bar area on the upper level of the Woolamai Beach SLSC Clubhouse, End of Woolamai Beach Rd, Cape Woolamai |
| Thu 28 Dec 2023 | Age Managers meeting – Welcome and Program kick-off meeting for all Age Mangers | 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm | Bar area on the upper level of the Woolamai Beach SLSC Clubhouse, End of Woolamai Beach Rd, Cape Woolamai |
| Fri 29 Dec 2023 | Nippers – Day 1 | See the age group session times above | See the age group locations above |
| Sat 30 Dec 2023 | Nippers – Day 2 | See the age group session times above | See the age group locations above |
| Sat 30 Dec 2023 | Movie night – Come and join the 2023/24 Nippers for some movie fun at the Clubhouse | 6:00 pm – further info will be posted on the Nippers Facebook group ahead of the night | Upper level of the Woolamai Beach SLSC Clubhouse, End of Woolamai Beach Rd, Cape Woolamai |
| Sun 31 Dec 2023 | Nippers – Day 3 | See the age group session times above | See the age group locations above |
| Mon 1 Jan 2024 | Rest Day – Its New Years Day so relax and celebrate the start of a new year! | No sessions today | No sessions today |
| Tue 2 Jan 2024 | Nippers – Day 4 | See the age group session times above | See the age group locations above |
| Tue 2 Jan 2024 | Bubbles & Sunset Evening – Make the most of your island time, relax and watch the sun set over the Woolamai dunes | 7:00 pm – further info will be posted on the Nippers Facebook group ahead of the night | Bar area on the upper level of the Woolamai Beach SLSC Clubhouse, End of Woolamai Beach Rd, Cape Woolamai |
| Wed 3 Jan 2024 | Nippers – Day 5 | See the age group session times above | See the age group locations above |
| Wed 3 Jan 2024 | Beers & Burgers – Last but by no means least on the 2023/24 social calendar. Come and enjoy a great evening down at the Clubhouse | 7:00 pm – further info will be posted on the Nippers Facebook group ahead of the night | Bar area on the upper level of the Woolamai Beach SLSC Clubhouse, End of Woolamai Beach Rd, Cape Woolamai |
| Thu 4 Jan 2024 | Nippers – Day 6 | See the age group session times above | See the age group locations above |
| Thu 4 Jan 2024 | Helpers thank you evening and farewells – Nippers doesn’t happen without you, so come and enjoy a well-earned thanks and some pizza as we celebrate another successful Nippers program | 6 pm – further info about how you can RSVP will be posted on the Nippers Facebook group ahead of the night | Bar area on the upper level of the Woolamai Beach SLSC Clubhouse, End of Woolamai Beach Rd, Cape Woolamai |
| Fri 5 Jan 2024 | Nippers – Day 7 | See the age group session times above | See the age group locations above |
| Fri 5 Jan 2024 | Bump out – Just like the bump in, but in reverse! We need your help to move the equipment from Cleeland Bight Beach back to the Nipper Shed. Volunteers are also needed to wash it down and pack it away for another year. Again, trailer or utes are appreciated but not essential | 11:30 am – 3.00pm | Meet at Cleeland Bight Beach |
Nippers rash vest collection
Our Nippers rash vest collection and merchandise sales are being held at the Clubhouse.
Date and Time – Thursday 28 December 2023, 2.00pm - 5.00pm
Location – Bar area on the upper level of the Woolamai Beach SLSC Clubhouse, End of Woolamai Beach Rd Cape Woolamai.
If you cannot make the collection day, it is important you arrange for another person to collect your rash vest as this will help ensure that Day 1 of Nippers starts on time. Once collected, sizing cannot be changed.
If you do not need to pick up a rash vest (because you already have one) or if you do not wish to purchase merchandise, then you do not need to visit the Clubhouse on this date.
Volunteer and support the Nippers 2023/24 Program
Nippers is run by a team of volunteers and we are always welcoming of new hands to share the load. The are many opportunities to volunteer across the program and help make sure the kids get the most out it.
You'll receive an email by Sunday 17 December asking you to fill in a Google sheet with the tasks, days and times that you will be helping. The process is a first in, best dressed affair.
These tasks include: Bump In Day, Bump Out Day, Rash Vest Collection Day, Daily set up, Daily pack up, Washing Rash Vests, BBQ, First Aid, helping at social events and other important roles.
Also stay tuned to the Wooli Nippers Facebook Group for shoutouts for specific support and skills.
Social events
Our amazing social events coordinators have been busy organising some great events. The dates and times for these events are in the Nippers 2023/24 program calendar (above). Stay tuned to the Wooli Nippers Facebook Group for further details on the Nippers Movie Night, Bubbles & Sunset, and Beer & Burger nights.
Join the Wooli Nippers Private Facebook Group
The Wooli Nippers Facebook Group is a private group for those participating in the Nippers Program. The Group is the main way we will communicate with you throughout the Program and across the year. It is also the place where we will post happy snaps of Nippers in action and raffle draw results, so be sure to join us by searching ‘Woolamai Beach SLSC Nippers Group’ or following this link https://www.facebook.com/groups/woolamai.nippers/ to stay up to date. Remember to answer the questions to be approved!
Junior competition team and competition events
Got a Nipper (or Nippers!) that would enjoy competing at surf sport carnivals? Find out more about the Junior competition team by emailing competition@woolamaibeach.asn.au.
There are also some other great competitions throughout the year.
Club Championships – Saturday 6 January 2024
The Channel Challenge – Saturday 10 February 2024 @ 12:15pm (15 years and over)
The Little Penguin Dash – Saturday 2 March 2024 @ 10:30am
The Cowes Classic – Saturday 10 February 2024 @ 12:15pm
Bass (locals only) Nipper Carnival – Sunday 3 March 2024
Further information will be posted through the Wooli Nippers Facebook Group.
Support the businesses who support us
This season we have received some very generous support from local businesses who have donated raffle prizes to the Club.
Please show your support for these businesses wherever possible over summer.
San Remo IGA
Wildlife Coast Tours
Amaze n Things
Anchorbelle Caravan Park
Phillip Island RSL
Cape Winds, San Remo
COR Pilates - San Remo
Beand San Remo
Westenport Hotel
Ocean Reach
Burnt Toast - Cape Woolamai
Phillip Island Tenpin Bowling
San Remo Butchers
Penny Lane Café, Cowes
Woolamai Pizza
Anerie Bistro
Lattitude Trading, San Remo
Further enquiries
If you have any further queries or would like to be added to our email list, please contact nippers@woolamaibeach.asn.au
See you down the beach!