Nippers

Nippers

Make friends, be active and learn about beach safety

Nippers is a great way for children to make friends, be active and enjoy the beach in a safe environment. Nippers is a national program designed for 7 -13 year olds (as at 1 October) and is structured to gradually teach kids surf awareness and basic lifesaving skills required to be safe around water.

After participating in the program, children will have an awareness of beach hazards such as waves and rips and also have a basic knowledge of resuscitation and first aid.

We strongly encourage all parents of children with limited swimming ability to enrol them in swimming lessons first. All children will need to complete a swim assessment as part of the first Nippers lesson each season.

We offer about 200 Nipper places each summer and each year they book out quickly. We are only able to offer the nippers program with the assistance of many volunteers. Parental/Guardian help is essential to ensure that the program continues and remains affordable to families. If you would like to get involved, we would love to hear from you.

For further information on the Nippers program contact the Junior Association Director at nippers@apollobayslsc.com.au

Nippers age groups and swim assessment requirements

Refer to the table below for age groups and swim assessment requirements for your nipper based on their birth date. Requests for nippers to join different groups will not be considered.

AGE GROUP DATE OF BIRTH

U8 1/10/2017 - 30/09/2018

U9 1/10/2016 - 30/09/2017

U10 1/10/2015 - 30/09/2016

U11 1/10/2014 - 30/09/2015

U12 1/10/2013 - 30/09/2014

U13 1/10/2012 - 30/09/2013

JUNIOR PRELIMINARY SWIM EVALUATIONS AND AGE GROUPS 2025-2026

Click here to download document

Nippers Registration

To participate in Apollo Bay Nippers members (guardians/parents) must be current members of the Apollo Bay SLSC (memberships due annually on 1 July) and must have a current Working With Children Check (WWCC). As a volunteer obtaining your WWCC is free of charge. You MUST list the Apollo Bay SLSC and Life Saving Victoria as your volunteer organisations: ‘Apollo Bay Surf Lifesaving Club’, PO Box 11 Apollo Bay 3233 Phone: 5237 6765 and Life Saving Victoria, 200 The Boulevard, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, Phone: 03 9676 6900. Visit www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au to apply, renew or update your details. To view Life Saving Victoria’s policy on safeguarding children and young people visit Safeguarding Children and Young People | Life Saving Victoria (lsv.com.au)

ONLY PROCEED TO REGISTERING YOUR NIPPER(S) ONCE THIS YEAR’S MEMBERSHIP FEES HAVE BEEN PAID AND YOUR WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECK (WWCC) IS CURRENT:

Provide a screen shot or photo from the WCCC site evidencing that you are connected to LSV and ABSLSC by emailing secretary@apollobayslsc.com.au.
Register your nipper(s) by completing the registration form.

Further information on membership fees, how to join/renew and WWCC can be found on the Membership page. If you are having difficulty registering please contact secretary@apollobayslsc.com.au. Note: Membership will not be accepted without a copy of your current WWCC.

Nippers Handbook

This linked handbook contains detailed information about this summers nippers program.

Kit Collection & Nippers lessons timetable

Note: Nippers registrations are not able to be processed on Collection Day.

Nippers Collection & Merchandise Store Open - FRIDAY 26TH DECEMBER 2025 from 3pm

*Note times of sessions maybe subject to minor change.

Program Update – Swim Assessments

As part of this season’s program, swim assessments for Under 9 to Under 13 Nippers will now be conducted immediately following uniform collection. Participants are requested to arrive in their bathers with wetsuits and proceed directly to the beach for the swim.

For those unable to attend on collection day, the club will open early on the 27th, prior to the first session. Alternate arrangements will be made to ensure all required swim assessments are completed.

Please note: Swim assessments for Under 8 participants will take place on Day 3, after initial water familiarisation activities. This gradual approach helps build confidence, particularly for children who may not have experienced open water swimming before. As such, Under 8s are not required to attend the beach immediately after uniform collection.

Skills Sessions – Exciting News!

We’re thrilled to share that the club has purchased 25 brand new Nipper Boards for the 2025/26 season, thanks to the generous support of our Nipper families and one of our sponsors, The Apollo Bay Carnival.

To make the most of this fantastic addition, we’ll be running extra Skills Sessions in the lead-up to the Nippers season. These sessions are a great opportunity for our kids to get comfortable on the new boards and build their confidence in the water.

Session Dates:

Sunday, 2nd November
Sunday, 7th December
Sunday, 14th December

Please note: Additional sessions may be added depending on demand. Keep an eye on our socials for updates and further details.

SUMMER JUNIOR CARNIVALS

Junior #1

Saturday 6 December 2025

Ocean Grove SLSC

Junior #2 Nipper Fest

Thursday 8 January 2026

Fisherman’s Beach (Torquay)

Junior #3

Sunday 18 January 2026

Mt Martha LSC

Junior #4

Saturday 31 January 2026

Mordialloc LSC

Junior #5

Sunday 15 February 2026

Ocean Grove SLSC

Victorian Junior Championships

Friday to Sunday 6-8 March 2026

Warrnambool SLSC

Qualifying swim to be completed either surf cadets or Melbourne cup weekend for those that will do carnivals water events

Water Safety:

Nippers can not run without the attendance and vigilance of our water safety cohort. They are integral to the successful running of our program and keeping all our Nippers safe whilst they complete their water activities. As a thank you to all water safety. If you are keen to assist again with water safety please email me at nippers@apollobayslsc.com.au to register your interest. Additional information regarding the water safety program will be provided in the lead-up to the season.

Nippers fundraisers – annual door knock & carnival night

Our annual door knock fundraising drive is held during the nippers program, date will finalised closer to the time. Participating nippers to wear their nippers tops and wide brimmed hats. Collection tins & collection maps available from the club rooms at 4pm and will need to be returned by 6pm at the latest.

Carnival night will be scheduled closer to the time and wristbands for this event will be able to be purchased online.

Club Parking Restrictions

In the interest of pedestrian safety and the need for additional outdoor space parking restrictions will be in place for the duration of the nippers program.