How to Apply to Nippers

 

Nippers registration opens on 1 September and closes on 30 September 2024

To make the process of registering as easy and fair as possible, we have some useful information below to put you in the best position possible, to ensure your little future champions have their place in the program secure.

Step 1: Ensure you have a valid Working With Children Check (WWCC), All Active or General Members aged 17 and over (inc Nipper parent/s or guardian/s) must have a current WWCC valid for the entire season. Both PLSLSC and Life Saving Victoria must be listed as associated organisations on your WWCC as follows:

  • Enter the PLSLSC address manually: PO Box 120. POINT LONSDALE VIC 3225. Telephone 0352581257

  • Life Saving Victoria - 200 The Boulevard, Port Melbourne VIC 3207. Telephone 0396766900.

The nomination of both PLSLSC and LSV is essential regardless of whether you have a current WWCC (i.e. update it online) or are applying for a new one. The Club receives a letter from the State Government confirming your WWCC which can take up to 4 weeks. The Club must receive evidence of a current WWCC before your membership application is processed. Until then, your application is only pending. You will need to upload copies of these WWCC cards when you register for Nippers. (These can take up to four weeks if you don't have one, so get cracking!)

Step 2: Have a Nipper Swim Test Form completed by a qualified person. This is not required yet, but to avoid excess life admin, it's easier to get it done and upload when you register your child for Nippers. (This is a yearly LSV requirement, complaints can be directed to them)

Step 3: Renew your membership with the club. Not yet; slow down. You need to wait until the new season registrations open after the AGM in early August. Your Nippers spot will not be held without club membership and your cute little nippers will never forgive you!

Step 4: Keep your eyes focussed on your inbox, because the hottest tickets of the summer, Nippers Registration, will be available for VIP access to you, on September 1st. Please ensure your membership is up to date before August 31st.

Step 5: Start looking for your child's nippers cap from last year, they will need it!

Sponsorship
This year we will be providing a new rashie for all Nippers, so we are looking for some amazing businesses to splash their names across the backs of our children in return for $$. Email us, nippers@plslsc.com.au if you'd like to discuss the opportunity.

In addition, we'd love to hear from you if you'd like to donate any goods or services to the Nippers Program or the club. There is an opportunity to hand out products to the Nippers families on Gear Collection day, provide snacks to Nippers at the disco, supply a Public Address system for the beach, donate trophies or supply a staffed coffee van. 

You've all been there, you've seen how it runs; we're all volunteers, so if you can see an opportunity to help in some way we'd love to hear from you and in return we'll put your business name up in lights (or at least talk about it a bit)

If you have any questions, please email us nippers@plslsc.com.au and we will do our best to get your questions answered promptly - did I mention we are volunteers?

Our Nippers program is in high demand and numbers are strictly limited, so please make sure your registration process is completed by 30 September to avoid missing out. The Club will email successful applicants in November to confirm your spot in the program.

Important - Any supervising adult on the beach needs to have a current Working with Children card. Please have all card details ready when completing your Club Membership. All Working with Children information is collected as part of the club membership process.

NEW FAMILIES: We look forward to welcoming you to our Club, but please note that places for Nippers of new members may be limited this year due to COVID-19 restrictions on overall numbers. Please submit your application by 15 October. We will process all renewing families who register by 30 September, and then look at new applications to fill any remaining places - if your family misses out, you will be offered a full refund.

Early Tip 1: WWCC

  • If you do not have a valid WWCC, your child will not be offered a Nippers place.

  • Each parent or guardian involved on the beach must have a valid WWCC listing PLSLSC ans LSV as organisations for which you volunteer (se details above in Step 1).

  • You can apply or renew your WWCC with the Victorian government here.

  • It can take several weeks to process your WWCC application, so please start early.

  • Each season we enrol 350+ Nippers, and we verify WWCC every time.

The Nipper program is not a learn to swim program and your children should be confident in swimming in ocean conditions. Each nipper should be able to swim the following distances without stopping and complete a survival float for the time specified below. Age Groups are calculated by birthdate at 30 September.

Age Group

Preliminary Evaluation

Under 8

25 metre swim, (any stroke). 1 minute survival float.

Under 9

25 metre swim, (any stroke). 1 minute survival float.

Under 10

25 metre swim, (freestyle). 1 ½  minute survival float.

Under 11

50 metre swim, (freestyle). 2 minute survival float.

Under 12

100 metre swim, (freestyle). 2 minute survival float.

Under 13

150 metre swim, (freestyle). 3 minute survival float.

We do not offer Nippers for Under 7 or Under 14 age groups. Members aged 13+ are encouraged to try for Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC) instead.