What is Nippers?

Nippers is beach fun with a purpose. Kids learn how to spot hazards, read conditions, move safely in the surf, and help others — all while making friends, building confidence and having a blast. It’s more than sport; it’s belonging.

Click here for the Nippers Handbook

Who can join

Children aged 5–13 years (U6–U14). Age is determined as at 30 September each season.

  • U6–U7: Beach games, wading, fun safety rules, listening for whistles and flags.
  • U8–U10: Body surfing, board basics, beach sprints/flags, safe entry/exit and signals.
  • U11–U13: Stronger swim and board skills, rescue signals, first aid/CPR basics, decision-making and teamwork.
Two children in green Nippers uniforms at Coochiemudlo Island SLSC

This season

This season, our Nipper program will run every Sunday from 8:30-10:30am, starting Sunday 12th October. At the same time, patrols will also be operating, so we kindly ask all patrolling members and water safety personnel to be available and ready to support.

Renewing Nippers

Renewing Nippers

Please have your membership renewed ahead of sign-on day, where you can complete your pool evaluation. If you have a swim coach you don’t need to attend sign-on – just have them complete this form and email it to this address: admin@coochiemudloslsc.org.au

Nipper jumping onto rescue board in the water

Preliminary Evaluations

All nippers are required to complete a preliminary evaluations as part of the joining process. This ensures that we know your child’s water competency and what support they require. Evaluations are determined by your childs age and include a float, submersion propulsion and a run swim run. If your child can’t meet their evaluation, that’s ok! We provide a 1:1 water safety ratio to ensure they are safe when in the water.

Learn more

Membership & Fees

Family Membership (2 Adults + 1 Nipper)

$170.00
Perfect for families with one child in the Nippers program.

Family Membership (2 Adults + 2 Nippers)

$230.00
Great value for families with two children in Nippers.

Additional Nippers

$60.00
Add extra children in the Nippers program to your family membership.

What do you need to do as a parent:

Create or log in to the SLS Members Area https://hub.sls.com.au/sign-up

Create an account and follow the instructions:

  1. Select Coochiemudlo Island SLSC as your club of choice (family groups welcome)
  2. The final stage will be completing your membership payment

We’ll send start dates, proficiency checks and uniform info once your membership is processed.

A typical Sunday

  • Sign-on & warm-up (meet your Age Manager)
  • Beach skills (sprints, flags, relays and teamwork)
  • Water skills (wade/swim/board — always conditions-dependent)
  • Surf Ed (safety, environment, rescues made simple)
  • Wrap-up (notices, high-fives and a BBQ)

What to wear & bring

  • Mandatory for water activities: Hi-vis rash vest and club cap (age-group colour).
  • Recommended: Club togs (or plain navy/red for comps), towel, water bottle, goggles (optional).
  • Sun safety: SPF50+ on body and face (zinc or invisible zinc is great), hat between activities, reapply often — water glare is real.

Uniforms & merch: Club caps, hi-vis vests and togs are available through the club shop. (Prices and availability confirmed pre-season.)

Parent involvement (how you can help)

  • Stay on the beach: A parent/guardian must remain for the whole session.
  • Age Manager / Assistant: Guide an age group — we’ll train you up.
  • Water Safety: Hold NSA, SRC (13+) or Bronze (15+)? Join our roster to keep kids safe in the water.
  • Child-safe standards: Adults in child-related roles need a current Blue Card and SLS child-safe modules completed. No card, no start.

Progression & pathways

  • Keen Nippers (13+): Step into the Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC) — your first real lifesaving award. (Pre-req: 200 m pool swim in 5:00 minutes or less)
  • Youth & adults (15+): Go for the Bronze Medallion (Cert II Aquatic Rescue) and join a patrol team. (Pre-req: 400 m pool swim in 9:00 minutes or less; ~40 hrs training)
  • Beyond Bronze: IRB Crew/Driver, First Aid/ART, Radio, coaching and officiating.

Helpful notes

First few weeks

We introduce ocean swims gently. Nerves are normal — our leaders support kids at their pace.

U9+ swimming fitness

Regular pool time helps kids enjoy the water activities even more.

Parents & water zones

You’re welcome to swim within the patrolled area, but please don’t enter Nippers activity zones unless you hold SRC/Bronze and are rostered on Water Safety.