2024/2025 Nipper Program
Registrations for our nipper program are almost full. We are currently only accepting registrations for the U12 and U13 age groups.
If you would like to go on the waitlist for the U6-U11 programs, please email nippers@13thbeachslsc.asn.au.
To renew or create your family membership and enrol for nippers please click here below and follow the instructions to join or renew.
Nipper Program Dates for 2024/25
Nippers at Barwon Heads 13th Beach SLSC is a 7-day program:
Day 1 - Saturday 28 December 2024
Day 2 - Sunday 29 December 2024
Day 3 - Monday 30 December 2024
Day 4 - Tuesday 31 December 2024
Day 5 - Thursday 2 January 2025
Day 6 - Saturday 4 January 2025
Day 7 - Sunday 5 January 2025 (Nipper Carnival & Presentations)
Wednesday 1st January 2025 is a rest day.
Friday 3 January 2025 is also a rest day, or nippers can choose to compete at the LSV nipper carnival at Cosy Corner in Torquay. We’ll provide more details on this later.
Due to the large number of nippers participating, the program will be split between age groups:
- Under 6, 7, 8 & 9 age groups: 9am – 10.30am
- Under 10, 11, 12 & 13 age groups: 11am -12.30pm
If possible, families are requested to attend the Club on Friday 27 December between 1-3pm to collect their child’s Nipper Fluro Safety Vests which each member MUST wear in order to participate.
Age Requirements
The age requirements for the Barwon Heads 13th Beach SLSC nipper program are set out below:
AGE IS TAKEN FROM 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
NIPPERS AGE GROUP
- 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 have any questions in relation to this, please contact nippers@13thbeachslsc.asn.au.
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 in September or October 2024 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.
For any questions about the nipper program please contact our nippers coordinator nippers@13thbeachslsc.asn.au