Lifesaving is a great activity to learn to save lives and empower communities to safely enjoy water. Not only will your child have fun and meet new friends, but they will also become part of an iconic movement that has served the Australian community for over 100 years.
The Nipper Education Program is a beach education program that introduces children aged five to 14 years to lifesaving. Programs are delivered by volunteers at life saving clubs across Victoria throughout summer. Victoria’s life saving clubs are a wonderful setting for Nipper Education Programs, developing skills in lifesaving and day to day life.
The program is about children participating in safe, fun and organised activities, designed to teach lifesaving skills and safety around an aquatic environment; preparing them to be future lifesavers. With a focus on fun and education, activities are designed to progressively develop the essential skills and knowledge of nippers as they move through each stage of the program. Clubs tailor their program to suit the needs and varying skill levels of their junior members and unique beach conditions.
In Victoria we have over 12,000 nippers aged between five and 14 years that hit our beaches as part of the Nipper Education Program each summer. Nippers is a key initiative of the lifesaving movement and its continuous success is of vital importance to the growth of Victorian life saving clubs.
The minimum age for children to participate in nippers in Victoria is five years (U6) up to a maximum age of 13 years (U14) on a seasonal basis.
A member is appointed to a particular age group each season based on their age on 30 September.
Please note:
- If the club’s nippers activities commence prior to 30 September then the child is still grouped into the age group of their age as on 30 September, of the corresponding year
- A child cannot be classed as member until they turn five years old (e.g. if a child turns 5 on 1 November, they cannot partake in any activities until that date)
- Children who turn five years old after 30 September in the current season will be require to join as an U6, for the current and following season
| AGE AS ON 30 SEPTEMBER | NIPPERS AGE GROUP |
|---|---|
| 5 Years Old | Participate as Under 6 |
| 6 Years Old | Participate as Under 7 |
| 7 Years Old | Participate as Under 8 |
| 8 Years Old | Participate as Under 9 |
| 9 Years Old | Participate as Under 10 |
| 10 Years Old | Participate as Under 11 |
| 11 Years Old | Participate as Under 12 |
| 12 Years Old | Participate as Under 13 |
| 13 Years Old | Participate as Under 14 |
Nipper Education Programs are delivered by a dedicated group of volunteer members from each club. A successful program is only possible with the support of motivated parents and volunteers. For the program to continue in the future, we encourage parents to get involved and share the experience of nippers with their children. There are many ways in which parents and volunteers can get involved and help deliver a successful program, ensuring positive experiences for all nippers. An age manager is one role that is vital to the successful delivery of the clubs Nipper program. Being an age manager is open to all parents who want to play an active role in the delivery and implementation of their clubs Nipper program.
Age Managers are responsible for developing our nippers into future lifesavers and providing a supportive environment where they can learn. Age Manager courses are available, which educate parents and volunteers on lifesaving and how to instruct nipper activities on the beach and in the water. Parent’s don’t require a lifesaving background to be an age manager.
If becoming an age manager is not for you, there are plenty of other tasks that need completing. You can help with beach set up, fundraising, social events or even cooking the club BBQ.
Talk to your local club about how you can get involved!
Many activities completed by children as part of the Nipper Education Program are conducted in the water. To ensure that all children have a suitable swimming ability to participate in these activities, Surf Life Saving Australia has developed a Junior Preliminary Swim Evaluation for each age group.
Every junior member is required to participate in this evaluation prior to any water-based activities being undertaken. It is not an assessment which if not completed competently precludes the child from becoming a member or continuing with nipper activities. Any child that does not meet the required evaluation level will require a higher level of supervision when involved in water-based activities as per the Surf Life Saving Australia’s Water Safety Procedure.
Below is an overview to each of the age groups evaluation:
| Age Group | Flotation | Submersion | Propulsion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 6 | Back or front float for a minimum of 5 seconds, recover to stand. | Submerge to touch the bottom with hands. | From standing position in waist deep water, perform a front glide (1-2 metres) & recover to stand. |
| Under 7 | Back or front float for a minimum of 10 seconds, recover to stand. | From standing position in waist deep water, perform a front glide (2-3 metres) & recover to stand. | |
| Under 8 | Back or front float for a minimum of 15 seconds, recover to stand. | Swim on front any stroke (distance 20 metres) followed by swim underwater (distance 2-3 metres). | |
| Under 9 | Front to back float or back to front float – 5 seconds each side. Tread water and/or any stroke sculling for a minimum of 1 minute. | Submerge to touch the bottom with hands. | Swim on front through water any stroke for 25 metres followed by survival stroke(s) breaststroke and/or sidestroke and/or back sculling for minimum 10 metres. |
| Under 10 | Swim on front through water any stroke for 25 metres followed by survival stroke(s) breaststroke and/or sidestroke and/or back sculling for minimum 25 metres. | ||
| Under 11 | Front to back float or back to front float – 5 seconds each side. Tread water and/or any stroke sculling for minimum of 2 minutes. | Submerge to perform forward or backward roll/somersault underwater, recover to surface, submerge to touch the bottom with hands. | Swim on front through water any stroke for 25 metres followed by survival stroke(s) breaststroke and/or sidestroke and/or back sculling for minimum 50 metres. |
| Under 12 | Front to back float or back to front float – 5 seconds each side. Tread water and/or any stroke sculling for minimum 3 minutes. | Submerge to perform forward or backward roll/somersault underwater, recover to surface, submerge to touch the bottom with hands. | Swim on front any stroke for 75 metres followed by survival stroke(s) breaststroke and/or sidestroke for minimum 50 metres. |
| Under 13 | Swim on front any stroke for 100 metres followed by survival stroke(s) breaststroke and/or sidestroke for minimum 50 metres. | ||
| Under 14 | Submerge to perform forward or backward roll/somersault underwater, do not recover to surface, submerge to touch the bottom with hands. | Swim on front any stroke for 100 metres followed by survival stroke(s) breaststroke and/or sidestroke for minimum 100 metres. |
1. How old does my child have to be to join nippers?
A child may join nippers as soon as they turn five years of age.
A child who reaches five years of age after 30 September may join nippers at that time; however, this child will be required to stay in the U6 nippers age group again the following season.
2. When do nipper program registrations open?
Each club will open their registrations for membership and the nippers program at different times, commencing from the start of the financial year. The majority of clubs will open registrations in the September / October period. Keep an eye out so you don’t miss out on your spot!
To find your local life saving club please click here. View your local club’s website to find out more information on when nipper registrations open.
3. When does nippers start?
Each club decides when the best time and day/s is for them to deliver their nippers program. This is usually based on their membership base and club location.
Some clubs will deliver shorter more intensive summer holiday programs, while others deliver longer weekly programs which extend the whole of summer.
The program will usually be delivered between the months of November – March.
To find your local life saving club please click here. View your local club’s website to find out more information on nipper program dates and times
4. 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 they join Nippers.
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).
5. 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 at as opf the 30th September the year they join Nippers.
6. What is the cost to participate in nippers?
To participate in nippers you are required to become a member of the club you wish to participate at. Each club has different membership fee.
To find your local life saving club please click here. View your local club’s website to find out more information on program costs and inclusions.
7. What club should I join?
Most members join the club nearest to their home, where their friends or family are members or where they holiday over the Christmas holiday period.
Some clubs will deliver shorter more intensive summer holiday programs, while others deliver longer weekly programs extending the whole of summer, depending on their location.
To find your local life saving club please click here. View your local club’s website to find out more information nipper days, times and costs.
8. For my child to join, does a parent/caregiver need to be a member?
This varies at each club, yet the majority do ask that a parent join to assist with the program and remain a member for the duration of nippers.
Contact your local club for more information and requirements. To find your local life saving club please click here.
9. 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, float and submersion which clubs will conduct either at the beach or in a pool environment.
This is carried out before participating in Nippers each season to assess their swimming and self-survival ability in the water.
This will determine whether they can progress to the water-based nipper activities under normal water safety supervision or they will require closer supervision.
10. Is this a learn to swim program?
The nippers program does not provide specific learn to swim training or stroke correction. This is strongly encouraged to be taken up at a swim school.
Some clubs may be better placed to assist with the provision of this coaching and links to these programs. However, your child will benefit enormously and increase their confidence through exposure to water-based activities including swimming and board paddling.
11. 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 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.
12. What and who are age managers?
An age manager is a member of the club who takes responsibility for the instruction of a nippers age group throughout the season.
All age managers are trained and hold a current Working with Children Checks (WWCC).
If you are interested in helping with the delivery of nippers and becoming an age manager, speak to your club, we encourage our parents getting involved!
13. What can I do to help?
There are lots of ways you can get involved at the club.
If becoming an age manager or 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 family members who get involved must become a member of their club.
To enquire about joining a Life Saving Club’s Nippers program please CLICK HERE or phone Club & Volunteer Services on 03 9676 6930 for further information.
CLICK HERE for information regarding registered swim schools in Victoria and enrolling your child for swimming lessons.
