FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - Nippers

Click here to download the Nippers Welcome Booklet

Memberships are valid from 1st July to 30th June each year. Please refer to the season information tab to register online

The minimum age for a child to start Nippers is 5 years of age. Your child must have turned 5 on or before the 30th September of the year of starting

Yes, at least one parent must be a member of the Surf Club.

No, Nippers is not a learn – to – swim organisation. Your child needs some reasonable swimming skills to be able to take part in Nippers each week. We recommend that you enrol your child in a swim school to learn basic swimming skills prior to joining Nippers.

Yes. Each year every child must complete the relevant Pool and Beach evaluations of their age group to participate in the program. Please refer to our Pool and Beach competency evaluation dates.

No. It is a requirement of participation in the program that a parent or caregiver is on the beach at all times while their child is signed on at Nippers. It is an expectation that parents get involved in helping at Nippers each week, whether it is as a water safety officer, helping set up or cook the BBQ or assisting with beach set up/pack down.

If you are a single parent family you can join up a grandparent, nanny or other caregiver as part of your family membership at no additional charge (family membership structure includes up to 2 parents/guardians/caregivers). If you wish to sign up an additional (i.e. third) adult family member or carer this will be at an additional cost.

Please refer to the year calendar for all start and finishing dates 

Each child will require a Pink high-vis rash vest and a coloured tie down cap (age groups are assigned specific colours) to participate at Nipper Sunday’s and a competition cap for carnivals. It is recommended that Nippers wear Club swimwear, which can be purchased from our Nipper Uniform Room.

● Under 6- Yellow Caps
● Under 7- Blue Caps
● Under 8 and above- White with 2 Green Strip Club Cap

No, Nippers is all about teaching water safety skills in open water and producing lifesavers of the future. While competition is an important tool in this process, and the Club encourages Nippers to take part, it is not compulsory.