Woodside Nippers focuses on fun, participation and play all while learning important lessons in beach and surf awareness.
Woodside Nippers
Woodside Nippers focuses on fun, participation and play all while learning important lessons in beach and surf awareness.
Woodside Nippers program
Catering for children aged 5 to 12 years old, the nippers program teaches surf skills for safety and to continue in lifesaving and sport as they grow older. Not only will your child have fun and meet new friends, but they will also become confident in the surf and will develop the ability and knowledge to participate in lifesaving beach patrols as well as a wide range of surf sports including sprints, boards, and swimming.
For information on how to join and member fees visit our new members page.
How to become a Nipper
All Woodside Nippers must complete a swimming proficiency at the start of every season for every nipper. This is a Surf Life Saving requirement as we do not teach your children to swim. We host three pool proficiency swim events at State Swim, Secret Harbour at the start of the season. See the key dates below.
For children undertaking swim squads or lessons your coach or instructor may be able to sign off your swimming proficiency.
For Woodside Nippers Under 8 and upwards who plan to compete at carnivals there is a surf sports competition proficiency swim that is completed during Nippers at the start of the season.
For further information contact:
Members Coordinator
Email: members@secretharbourslsc.com
Season Key Dates
SLSWA Age Managers Development Meeting – 6:30 to 9pm – Surf Club 1st Floor Function Room
October 24th, 2024 (TBC)
First Day of Nippers – Location to be confirmed
Nov 3rd, 2024
Second Day of Nippers – Secret Harbour Beach
Nov 10th, 2024
Woodside Nippers Christmas Party (Sunday)
Dec 15th, 2024
Woodside Nippers Return (Sunday)
Jan 12th, 2025
Public Holiday (NO Nippers)
Jan 26th, 2025
Public Holiday (NO Nippers)
March 2nd, 2025
Woodside Nippers Last Day on Beach – Wind up
March 30th, 2025
More Information
From 7.30am each Sunday, the beach is setup for a new day of Nippers.
Nippers sign-in begins on the clubhouse lawn, western side of the club at 8.30am each Sunday. Parent/guardians will need to sign their Nippers in at the relevant age group flag, where the Age Manager wearing a red shirt will be waiting to greet you and provide any essential information for the day.
A club briefing at 8.45am by the Director of Youth and other Board of Management directors informs Nipper parents and guardians of important club information and upcoming events.
At 9am, Nippers will follow their Age Group Manager to the beach for beach games such as catch the flag, tug of war, board training, surf swimming and team relays. Age Managers will explain to Nippers the conditions of the surf that day and Water Safety volunteers wearing orange shirts keep a close eye on kids in the surf.
Each Nippers finishes in a club BBQ with sausage sizzle and cold drinks for sale at the club canteen. A roster allocates age groups twice a season to beach setup and BBQ/canteen service. It is vital that parents and guardians fulfill this volunteering service. Talk to your Age Manager if you have any questions about the roster.
The age requirements below are for your child’s age at 1st of October 2021.
Age Group | Date of Birth | Swimming Requirements |
Under 6’s | 1/10/2015 – 30/09/2016 | ● From a standing position in waist deep water, perform a front glide and recover to a secure position.
● Perform a back or front float holding a buoyant aid and recover to a secure position. |
Under 7’s | 1/10/2014 – 30/09/2015 | ● From a standing position in waist deep water, perform a front glide, kick for 3m and recover to a secure position.
● Perform a back or front float for a few seconds and recover to a secure position. |
Under 8’s | 1/10/2013 – 30/09/2014 | ● 25m swim (any stroke)
● 1 minute survival float |
Under 9’s | 1/10/2012 – 30/09/2013 | ● 25m swim (any stroke)
● 1 minute survival float |
Under 10’s | 1/10/2011 – 30/09/2012 | ● 25m swim (freestyle)
● 1 ½ minute survival float |
Under 11’s | 1/10/2010 – 30/09/2011 | ● 50m swim (freestyle)
● 2 minute survival float |
Under 12’s | 1/10/2009 – 30/09/2010 | ● 100m swim (freestyle)
● 2 minute survival float |
Under 13’s | 1/10/2008 – 30/09/2009 | ● 150m swim (freestyle)
● 3 minute survival float |
Age group coloured caps and high visibility rashies are compulsory on the beach every Sunday. This allows us to easily identify our Woodside Nippers on the beach and in the water.
On the first Nippers day, you will receive a Woodside Nippers uniform bag including high-vis vest and coloured skull cap (based on age group), wide brim hat and mesh sling bag. Bring this bag to the beach each Sunday and have your child wear the Woodside Nippers high-vis vest over their bathers and/or rashie. You should also bring a towel, sunscreen, full water bottle, goggles (if your child prefers to wear in water), any medications/food if needed and warm clothes if weather is cooler.
For our Under 6’s & Under 7’s, parents are encouraged to write their child’s name on the front of their coloured cap so we all know each other. Each group will have their own age coloured flag identifying their location on the beach.
For club bathers and other merchandise including club shirts and peak caps, please visit our club office.
We are a rapidly growing and evolving club, so we need a steady supply of Nipper parents and guardians to volunteer and be involved with Woodside Nippers:
- Age Group Manager
- Age Group Coordinator
- Water Safety
- BBQ Coordinator
- Assistance with the BBQ (mandatory when your age group is rostered on)
- Beach set up and pack down (mandatory when your age group is rostered on)
Age Managers
Age Managers are the key to a great nipper experience. This can sound like a big job but we aim to have a team of 4 – 6 age managers per age group and there is an excellent week to week program designed by SLSWA which can easily be implemented as you build your skills and experience. Age Manager training is provided before the start of the season.
Age Group Coordinators
Age Group Coordinators will be the go-to person for coordinating your nippers age group with these weekly tasks:
- Set up and pack down the beach (flags and sprint arena/nipper sign on boards/nipper flags);
- Signing in late Nippers and making sure the Age Manager knows when a new Nipper has joined the water
- Communicating with Nipper parents for the nippers in your age group
- Coordinating the rostered club BBQ, when it’s your age group’s turn (once or twice during the season)
Water Safety
We always need a ratio of one water safety adult to five nippers in the water. If you like being out in the water, you can complete your Nipper Rescue Certificate, Surf Rescue Certificate or Bronze Medallion which allows you to provide official water safety at Woodside Nippers. This role allows you to get close to the surf action when your kids are learning and having fun.
BBQ Coordinator
The BBQ Coordinator oversees the Sunday Nippers BBQ by running the canteen and organising the Nipper parent volunteers. This involves setting up the till, directing volunteers in stocking, food prep and cooking, supporting food service and packing away. This role provides a valuable service in raising much needed funds for the club and making sure Nipper families are well refreshed every Sunday.
To support our nippers to feel confident and safe on our beach each Sunday, we need you to be near or with your child. In the likelihood that a Nipper parent can’t attend with their child due to unforeseen circumstances, the club requires another parent or guardian who is a member of the club to take their place on the sand.
We need help with activities, both in and out of the water, to cheer, clap and encourage every effort made by every child. This will allow your child to become more involved in the sport, to see his or her enjoy and work towards being confident in their water and beach skills and to accept all the challenges that the surf has to offer. It may also help you keep fit, healthy and relaxed.
All parents will be requested to assist twice a season for your relevant age group and be responsible for beach set up and pack down to allow nippers to run, as well as cook and serving at the canteen. This will be supported by experienced Woodside Nipper leaders and the Age Group Coordinator. Take note of the dates your age group will be running the BBQ in the Nipper season guide so you can be there on the day to contribute to the club.
Nippers can choose to take part in a range of competitions to test their surf skills, athleticism and represent the club. Taking part in surf sports is fulfilling and a great way for kids to build their skills towards surf lifesaving.
Junior Club Championships
The Junior Club Championships will be held towards the end of the season, with points allocated for places and participation in boards, surf race, beach flags and beach sprint events. All our active juniors in the competition age groups (Under 8’s – Under 13’s) are encouraged to participate. These points will contribute to the overall tally for age group champions at the end of the season.
Competitions at other beaches
Junior Surf Lifesaving carnivals are held throughout the surf season at variety of metropolitan and regional beaches.
The Junior competition age begins in Under 8’s through to Under 13’s and our juniors participate in all the surf disciplines, which include surf race, boards, beach flags and beach sprints and a range of relay events.
Surf sports training
Competition training for both water and beach events is held throughout the season and is focused on developing skills and general fitness. Training sessions are advertised on Team App in the ‘Surf Sports’ Access Group for your child’s age category. Board hire is available for youth hoping to train for surf sports events.
Every junior is encouraged to have fun and to strive to reach their full potential. The emphasis is not on winning, but continual improvement of your skills and achieving personal bests.