2024-25 Junior Information

Become a Nipper

What is Nippers?

Nippers is a fun way for children aged 5 to 14 to enjoy the beach in a safe environment. It’s a great opportunity for families to become involved in our club and Surf Life Saving. Nippers teachers kids to stay safe at the beach, while learning lifesavings skills and participating in activities such as wadding, running, ocean swimming and board paddling.
Nippers is not a learn to swim program; we strongly encourage all nippers to participate in an external accredited swimming program.

Nippers Age Groups

Listed below are the age groups members will be for the 2024/25 season. These age groups are determined as at midnight on 30 September 2024.

Birthday Between These Dates	Age Group	Cap Colour
1^st October 2018 to 30^Th September 2019	U6	Navy Blue
1^st October 2017 to 30^Th September 2018	U7	Purple
1^st October 2016 to 30^Th September 2017	U8	Maroon
1^st October 2015 to 30^Th September 2016	U9	Yellow
1^st October 2014 to 30^Th September 2015	U10	Light Blue
1^st October 2013 to 30^Th September 2014	U11	Red
1^st October 2012 to 30^Th September 2013	U12	Dark Blue
1^st October 2011 to 30^Th September 2012	U13	Pink
1^st October 2010 to 30^Th September 2011	U14	Aqua

A child who reaches five years of age after 30th September may join nippers at that time for the remainder of the season; however, your child will be required to stay in the U6 nippers age group again in the 2025/26 season.

When will Nippers Start?

We are excited to announce that the Nipper season will commence on Sunday 13^th October 2024.

This year, Nippers will be held on a Sunday for all age groups with staggered start times.

Times are as follows:

Under 13's, Under 14's, & Under 15's - 8.30am
Under 6's, Under 7's, & Under 8's, Under 9's, Under 10's, Under 11's & Under 12's - 9.00am

Preliminary Skills Evaluations:

All Nippers must complete the annual preliminary skills evaluation as part of their Nippers registration. The evaluation ensures a minimum and safe standard of swimming and survival ability for water activities at Nippers and is a pre-requisite for nippers to be part of the program.

All carnival competitors regardless of whether they are in the water or on the beach need to complete their Competition Water Proficiency.

Proficiency requirements are set by Surf Life Saving Australia and are standard across all surf clubs. More information can be found using the following link:

Preliminary Skills Evaluation

For all junior proficiency information please see Juniors Proficiency Information

Interested in helping out this season?

Nippers is run by a small and dedicated team of volunteers. We need your help to make sure Nippers runs smoothly and everyone has fun. We also need volunteers to ensure our kids can compete in carnivals. You can volunteer in any of the following ways:

Age Managers - Age Managers are the volunteers who deliver the Nippers program to our kids. They create a fun, safe learning environment while developing future surf lifesavers through the building of knowledge, skills and confidence.
The club will provide you with training and support to undertake this role, it’s a very rewarding role and Nippers can’t run without Age Managers.
Helping out at Nippers – beach set up and pack up, assisting age managers, helping in the shallow water with kids – be prepared to get wet!
Water safety – ensure the safety of kids in the water at Nippers and carnival – bronze medallion required
Officiating at carnivals – assisting with starting races, recording results and time keeping; please contact juniors@cavesslsc.com.au if you are interested.
Patrol – patrolling members are the backbone of surf clubs and new patrolling members are always welcome at Caves Beach. We run regular Bronze training sessions. Please contact education@cavesslsc.com.au for more information.

We would love for more people to join the team! If you would like to find out a bit more about becoming an Age Manager or joining our Water Safety team, please email us at juniors@cavesslsc.com.au

Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Shannon and Erin at juniors@cavesslsc.com.au

Caps, Rashies and Club Swimwear

All Nippers are required to wear their age group caps and pink rashie for Sunday Nippers. Pink rashies are also required at board training.

Age group caps and rashies can be purchased online through the member's area when you are completing your registration or via the club website https://www.cavesslsc.com.au/store

We recommend purchasing these as soon as possible to ensure they are ready for the start of the season.

Club swimwear can be purchased online at fashionfish.com.au

Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us at juniors@cavesslsc.com.au

Age Group	Cap Colour
U6	Navy Blue
U7	Purple
U8	Maroon
U9	Yellow
U10	Light Blue
U11	Red
U12	Dark Blue
U13	Pink
U14	Aqua