Nippers
About the program
The Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club is a pioneer of Victorian Surf Life Saving. In 1967 the Club Captain, John Turner commenced a program for junior surf lifesavers after seeing a similar program in the United States. The program trained children in surf awareness, surf life-saving competitions, basic first aid and resuscitation, as well as being an avenue to membership recruitment. Over time, this area has developed to become a major focus of Surf Life Saving across Australia.
Nippers start learning about surf awareness and safety through the program. They are also able to participate in board paddling, surfing, swimming, running, wading and other fun activities and games. Practising these skills allows children to compete in Club, Regional and State Surf Life Saving Carnivals representing their Club. Surf Life Saving Australia also conducts development camps in every state. During the season we will offer specialised Aquatic Sports training opportunities to Nippers.
essential reading for nipper parents and guardians on renewing or signing up
The swim test is an important and key part of your Nippers registration process.
The form can be downloaded from the above link. If you have any issues regarding the swim test form or issues in being able to get one signed, please email the Nipper coordinators at nippers@plslsc.com.au once you have completed and paid for your club and nippers registration.
The Club is extremely grateful to our 2024-25 sponsors
Powercor Summer Nippers 2024-2025
Registration opens: 1 September 2024
Registration closes: 30 September 2024
Location
The Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club bases the Nipper program at Santa Casa Beach, at the end of Henry Street in Queenscliff.
Registration
For registration you need to complete these 4 steps:
Step 1: Ensure you have a valid Working With Children Check (WWCC). When applying for a WWCC, both PLSLSC and Life Saving Victoria must be listed as associated organisations 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 pending and you may miss out.
If you have another adult who will share the volunteering load on the beach with you, please ensure they also have a valid WWCC with Point Lonsdale SLSC and LSV listed. You will need to upload copies of these WWCC cards when you register for Nippers come 1 September 2024. As noted above, this can take several weeks, so get cracking!
Step 2: Renew your membership with the club. Memberships are open!! Your Nippers spot will not be held without club membership and your cute little nippers will never forgive you!
Step 3: 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 4: Nippers Registration is now open. Complete the Google form below:
https://forms.gle/s1DdrmV9KGAGCYJz8
Swim Test: This can be uploaded at any time before 30th November, 2024 via the following link: https://forms.gle/4sfHE1nHLpv8394p8
The PLSLSC Powercor Summer Nippers program is a long-established part of summer holidays in Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff.
Our Summer Nippers program is in high demand and numbers are strictly limited per age group, so please make sure your registration is completed by the due date to avoid missing out. Preference is provided to returning families of the program and local residents. The Club will email successful applicants in early November to confirm your spot in the program.
See here for more detail on How to Apply for Nippers.
The Nippers Committee for season 2024/25:
Lauren Callahan
Matthew Hopper
Daisy Ristevski
James Whatley
Call for volunteers
Age group managers required
We really need more Age Group Managers this year! This role does not require a big commitment, as our instructors do most of the heavy lifting. It largely involves general assistance to the instructors, including by taking the attendance role, ensuring Nippers are safe and providing encouragement and support. It’s easy to become qualified – just complete two short online courses and then the Club will sign you off after a short practical session on the beach during Nippers next season. Please complete the Age Managers Application via this link.
Co-ordinators required
Nippers is run entirely by volunteers and we need a range of “special helper” co-ordinators for this season. There are lots of ways you can contribute: water safety co-ordinator, gear collection, Nippers disco, Door Knock and back beach day. The Club is also on the lookout for qualified IRB drivers and crew and can provide further information on the process if this is of interest to you. Complete the Nipper Coordinator Application via this link.
Nipper Instructors
Instructors are an essential part of our Nipper Program. Our instructors are responsible for leading the Nippers and educating them in the skills and knowledge to progress in surf lifesaving.
If you are interested in advancing your leadership skills and experience and would like to help the Clubs Nipper Program, the please complete this Instructor expression of interest.
Parent Helper Roster
We rely solely on volunteers to run the Nipper program. To spread the load across the whole Nipper Community, it is a requirement of all Nipper families to sign up to help on at least two occasions. This is a great way to get to know people and really get involved! More details will be provided on confirmation of nipper registration.
Further Information
Age Groups
Children can join PLSLSC Nippers at any age from U/8 (7yrs) to U/13 (12yrs). All clubs affiliated with Surf Life Saving Australia use 30 September as their age calculation date.
Our Club does not offer an Under 6 or Under 7 programme so all our nippers must be a minimum age of 7 years, as of 30 September to join PLSLSC Nippers.
The Nipper program is not a learn to swim program. Nippers must be confident swimming in ocean conditions and have completed a Swim Test form. See more information about this topic in the How To Apply section.
Special Needs
We welcome participation by children with special needs. See the Starfish Nippers section for more information.