Nippers Program
Activities, age groups, and Sunday sessions โ everything you need to know about the Nippers program.
What Happens at Nippers?
Each Sunday session is packed with fun activities:
๐ Surf awareness and safety games
๐โโ๏ธ Ocean swims (age-appropriate)
๐ Board paddling
๐โโ๏ธ Beach sprints and flags
๐ค Team challenges and new friends
Younger kids focus on fun and confidence. As they grow, skills build step by step.
It's not about being the fastest โ it's about trying your best, having fun, and improving each week.
Age Groups & Skills
Kids join groups based on their age (as at 30 September). Everyone builds skills at their own pace.
U6-U8 (Little Nippers)
Fun first! Learning to be confident in shallow water, floating, and having a go.
U9-U11 (Growing Skills)
Building endurance, learning board skills, and developing surf awareness.
U12-U14 (Young Lifesavers)
Stronger swimming, board races, and preparing for future patrol roles.
If a child isn't quite ready for water activities, they can still join in beach games and skill-building. We make sure everyone participates safely.
For those who want to race at carnivals, there's an optional competition assessment from age 9+.
Age Groups & Skills Assessments
Nippers at Fingal Beach SLSC is structured by age group so children build confidence and surf skills safely and progressively each season. Age groups are based on your child's age as at 30 September each year.
There are two separate evaluations each season:
1) Junior Activities Preliminary Evaluation
Completed before children take part in water-based Nippers activities. Records a baseline level of ability and helps determine water safety needs.
2) Junior Activities Competition Skills Evaluation
Required for water competition eligibility at carnivals (not for weekly participation).
U6โU8 (Stage One)
| Skill | U6 | U7 | U8 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flotation | Back or front float 5 sec | Back or front float 10 sec | Back or front float 15 sec |
| Submersion | Submerge to touch the bottom with hands | ||
| Propulsion | Push & glide 1โ2m | Push/glide + kick 2โ3m | Swim front 20m + underwater 2โ3m |
U9โU11 (Stage Two)
| Skill | U9 | U10 | U11 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flotation | Float 5 sec + tread 1 min | Float 5 sec + tread 2 min | Float 5 sec + tread 2 min |
| Submersion | Touch bottom | Forward/back roll underwater + touch bottom | Forward/back roll underwater + touch bottom |
| Propulsion | Swim 25m + survival 10m | Swim 25m + survival 25m | Swim 25m + survival 50m |
Survival stroke = breaststroke and/or sidestroke and/or back sculling.
U12โU14 (Stage Three)
| Skill | U12 | U13 | U14 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flotation | Float 5 sec + tread 3 min | ||
| Submersion | Roll/somersault underwater + touch bottom | ||
| Propulsion | Swim 75m + survival 50m | Swim 100m + survival 50m | Swim 100m + survival 100m |
Competition Skills Evaluation (Carnivals)
| Age Group | Requirement |
|---|---|
| U6 & U7 | Nil โ no competition |
| U8 | Nil โ wade in waist-deep water only |
| U9 & U10 | Minimum 150m open water swim |
| U11โU14 | Minimum 200m open water swim |
If a child doesn't meet the preliminary evaluation, they may need additional supervision for water-based activities (at the club's discretion). Clubs may use practical methods to manage that safely.
Sunday Sessions
Nippers runs on Sunday mornings during surf season. Here's what to expect:
8:45am โ Sign in with your age group
9:00am โ Beach games and warm-up
9:30am โ Water activities (for those who've done proficiency)
10:30am โ Skill games and relays
11:00am โ Sign out and home time
What to Bring
Parents stay on the beach โ you can watch, cheer, or get involved helping with setup or activities.