2026/2027 Nipper Program
Returning Nipper families from the 2025/26 season will be given first right of refusal for the 2026/27 season until 7 September 2026.
From 8 September to 14 September 2026, Nipper memberships will be available to both returning families and members of our local community.
After 14 September 2026, any remaining Nipper places will be opened to all applicants.
For returning families with an existing SLSA Members Area (Hub) account, your membership status will be updated by 13th Beach to 'active' for the new season once your renewal has been processed.
Please note that all family members aged 18 years and over must hold a current Working With Children Check (WWCC) linked to 13th Beach Surf Life Saving Club for their Nipper(s) to participate in the programme.
Once your membership application has been received, you will receive an email confirmation. A further email will be sent once your child's Nipper place has been confirmed.
We encourage families to renew early, as places in some age groups may be limited.
Enquiries to: nippers@13thbeachslsc.asn.au
Families will need to purchase a Family Membership and all adults under the membership must provide the Club with a current WWC card that lists Barwon Heads 13TH Beach SLSC and Life Saving Victoria as volunteer organisations. Your children will be not added to the program until the valid Working with Children Check is provided. To apply for a WWCC click here Apply for WWCC
Nipper Program Dates for 2026/27
Will be updated once numbers are confirmed.
Age Requirements
Nippers must be 5 years old as of the 30th September 2025 to be eligible to participate in the program. Age Groups are taken from the 30th September 2025. (eg. if your nipper is 10yo on the 30th Sept they will participate in the U11 program):
- 5 Years Old, Participate in Under 6
- 6 Years Old, Participate in Under 7
- 7 Years Old Participate in Under 8
- 8 Years Old, Participate in Under 9
- 9 Years Old, Participate in Under 10
- 10 Years Old, Participate in Under 11
- 11 Years Old, Participate in Under 12
- 12 Years Old, Participate in Under 13
IMPORTANT INFO
The nippers program is a great way for children to get involved in surf education and learn valuable lessons in staying safe on the Australian coastline. The main aims of the Nippers program are to:
- Develop surf and inland waterway awareness
- Increase confidence and skills in beach related activities
- Instill and reinforce SunSmart philosophies
- Encourage enjoyable and healthy participation
- Promote a positive non-threatening environment
- Meet new friends
Swim Evaluation
Nippers is not a learn to swim program and all children MUST complete a swim evaluation to be able to participate in the water component of the program. The swim proficiency evaluation is in place to ensure the safety and welfare of all nippers. The requirements for each age group are different, so the certificate obtained to meet your child’s age group requirements last year is no longer relevant.
If your child is not able to complete the swim assessment to the required standard, then a higher level of supervision (1:1) will be required when the child is involved in any water activities, and their water activity may be limited accordingly for their safety. Please contact nippers@13thbeachslsc.asn.au so we can discuss this with you.
Working With Children Check
We require all adult members of nipper families to hold a current Victorian Working With Children Check that lists Barwon Heads 13th Beach SLSC and LSV as organisations. If you have already sent this to us and the WWCC remains current you do not need to provide it to us again; we will contact you if there is an issue.
Given the nature of the nippers program, we cannot accept nipper family memberships without a WWCC for each adult Associate Member under the family membership. If you don’t have a current WWCC at the time of renewing your membership that’s ok, so long as it’s provided to us by 1 October 2024. If you are subsequently not able to provide a WWCC we can refund any membership payments made.
If you are a VIT registered Teacher you must notify WWCCV of your volunteer work and must reference Barwon Heads 13th Beach Surf Life Saving Club and LSV via the teacher notification form
Volunteer Expectations
Parent volunteering is crucial to the success of the nipper program. It is an expectation that each nipper family is involved in some capacity. We will be in touch with further information about parent and volunteer roles and opportunities.
Adult SRC and Bronze Course
Nipper parents who hold their SRC and Bronze qualifications are crucial for our program to go ahead. We are aiming to run an adult SRC Course during the nipper program and will be in touch with further information about dates and times. The course is free for members. If you currently hold these qualifications or would be happy obtain them in order to assist with nipper water safety, we would be grateful if you would let us know in advance by emailing nippers@13thbeachslsc.asn.au.