NIPPERS @ AVOCA BEACH

NIPPERS STARTS 20 OCTOBER 2024

U8-U14 8AM START
U6-U7 9.30AM START

The Avoca Beach Junior Activities Committee run the “Avoca Nippers” each Sunday at Avoca Beach during the summer months between September and March.

Children can join Avoca Nippers from the Age of 5 years, however they must be 5 by 30th September 2024 to commence Nippers this year. Nipper memberships also must have at least one nipper parent member per family.

Younger children start learning about surf awareness and safety through the “SurfEd” program.

As they get older they are able to participate in board paddling, surfing, swimming, sprinting, wading and fun activities and games, depending on their ages and abilities. At Avoca the emphasis is on having fun whilst developing skills.

Practicing these skills helps develop competence and confidence in the surf environment. It also allows children to compete in Club, Regional (Branch) and State life saving carnivals.

Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) also conducts junior development camps in every state as well as the National Junior Surf League & Development Program.

Most senior Nippers can undertake a Surf Life Saving Certificate (SRC). Probationary surf life savers can achieve this award from the age of 13 years and this helps and prepares them for active patrolling duties with Avoca Beach SLSC.

The award trains candidates in rescue skills, first aid and patient management, resuscitation and a theoretical component exploring safety knowledge and surf awareness.

For Nipper related queries not answered in the doc below please email nippers@avocabeachslsc.asn.au, for membership related enquiries please see our How to Join page or email office@avocabeachslsc.asn.au.

Once you have joined, please request to join our Facebook Nipper group to keep on top of notifications.

Join our nipper fb group

Age groups for 2024

Listed below are the age groups that junior members will be in for the 2024/25 season if they are born between the following dates:

U6* 1st October 2018 to 30th September 2019
U7 1st October 2017 to 30th September 2018
U8 1st October 2016 to 30th September 2017
U9 1st October 2015 to 30th September 2016
U10 1st October 2014 to 30th September 2015
U11 1st October 2013 to 30th September 2014
U12 1st October 2012 to 30th September 2013
U13 1st October 2011 to 30th September 2012
U14 1st October 2010 to 30th September 2011

*Note: Children must have reached 5 years before they can be registered. If they turn 5 after the season commences, they will need to wait until the following season to join at Avoca.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Our google doc is regularly updated with all the information you need for the current Nippers season, or check out our FAQs at the bottom of the page.

Nippers Program calendar

Please note as this is a live calendar, once printed it may no longer be current.

FAQs

HOW OLD DOES MY CHILD NEED TO BE TO JOIN NIPPERS? Your child needs to have turned 5 by 30th September. As we are a large club, any child turning 5 after this date will not be eligible to join our nippers program until the following season.

WHAT AGE GROUP WILL MY CHILD BE IN? The age group that your child will be in is determined by the age they are as at the 30th September the year you are joining. For example, if your child was 11 on the 30th September (turning 12 on the 5th Oct) they will be in the Under 12 age group (even though they are 12).

DOES MY CHILD CHANGE AGE GROUPS IF THEIR BIRTHDAY IS DURING A SEASON? No. The age group that your child will be in for the whole season is determined by the age they are as at the 30th September the year you are joining. For example, if your child was 11 on the 30th September (turning 12 on the 5th Oct) they will be in the Under 12 age group (even though they are 12).

FOR MY CHILD TO JOIN, DOES A PARENT/CARER NEED TO BE A MEMBER? Yes, we ask that a parent join and remain a member for the duration of nippers.

DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO BE ABLE TO SWIM TO JOIN? It certainly helps. Your child will need to complete a Preliminary Skills Assessment including a swim and a float which clubs will conduct either at the beach or in a pool environment. This is carried out before participating in any junior activity to assess their swimming and self-survival ability in the water. This will determine whether they can progress to the water based junior activities under normal water safety supervision or they will require closer supervision.

IS THIS A "LEARN TO SWIM" PROGRAM? No, Surf Life Saving does not provide specific learn to swim training or stroke correction. This is strongly encouraged to be taken up externally. However, your child will benefit enormously and increase their confidence through exposure to water-based activities including swimming and board paddling.

WHAT WATER SAFETY MEASURES ARE IN PLACE FOR NIPPERS? A Water Safety Supervisor (WSS) is appointed for all water-based activities. The WSS conducts a risk assessment at the start of each session, and monitors conditions throughout – activities are adapted and can be cancelled in hazardous situations. Water Safety Personnel (WSP) are qualified and proficient lifesavers who provide surveillance and assistance in the water if required with lifesaving equipment. You will see them on the beach in their orange high-visibility cap and rash shirt stating ‘Water Safety’ on the front and back for easy identification.

WHAT DO U6 AND U7 MEMBERS DO DURING NIPPERS? The U6 and U7 Surf Play program is all about fun, participation and building confidence. The lesson plans consist of surf education, personal safety, running and flags, swimming, wading, and lots of other fun games and activities!

WHAT DOES MY CHILD NEED TO WEAR/BRING TO NIPPERS? Swimmers, club cap, long sleeve t-shirt or rash vest, a sun hat, towel, water, snack and sunscreen. Our uniform shop sells the majority of items you need and is open on Sundays for nipper purchases.

WHAT ARE THE END OF SEASON JUNIOR AWARDS? Each age group has an award which is achieved by participation throughout the season. The award celebrates the new skills and knowledge which have been learnt. Your child will need to attend and participate in all the compulsory sessions to attain the award. Award certificates may be emailed to you by your club

WHAT AND WHO ARE AGE MANAGERS? An Age Manager is a member of the club who takes responsibility for the instruction of an age group throughout the season. All Age Managers are trained and hold a current Working with Children Checks (WWCC) as required in line with state legislation. If you are interested in helping with the delivery of Nippers and becoming an Age Manager or (or maybe even becoming a surf lifesaver yourself!), speak to us – we love our parents getting involved!

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP? There are lots of ways you can get involved at the club. If becoming an Age Manager or surf lifesaver is not for you, there are plenty of other tasks that will need completing at your club! Perhaps you could help with training, coaching, officiating, fundraising or cooking the Club BBQ? All parents who get involved must become a member of their club.

WILL YOU ACCEPT ACTIVE KIDS VOUCHERS? Yes, we do. The process for Active Kids Vouchers has changed. You will need to pay online and we need to manually process your voucher before your membership can be approved. Please get in touch with office@avocabeachslsc.asn.au for more information.