Nippers FAQ

Register online.

Registrations can be completed online via the Surf Lifesaving Portal. The portal is very easy to use and allows family groups to be set up to renew all family members at once.

Note that all family members need an individual account within the portal before they can be added to a family group.

When joining or renewing online, please ensure all mandatory fields are completed – emergency contact details are mandatory and we are unable to accept a ‘pending renewal’ into the system without this information being completed. The category Junior Activity Member (not Probationary) should be chosen for all nippers, 5 – 14 years old and category ‘Nipper Parent’ for all nipper parents.

When joining or renewing, please ensure you also make your payment at the same time.  As well as via credit card on the portal, payments may also be made by direct debit into the Dee Why SLSC account: Please email junior.registrar@dyslsc.org.au if you require club account details.

Please include your surname as a reference. Fees payable are available on the Clubs Membership Fees webpage.

Certainly, Dee Why Surf Club will take members from any location – it is not necessary to live in the area to participate.

Children must be at least 5 years old to participate in Nippers. A child may start Nippers anytime after their fifth birthday.

The price differs depending on age group. Please view our Membership Fees webpage for the latest prices.

Yes. The Dee Why Surf Club requires that at least one parent or guardian to join as a Nipper Parent to accompany your child. This allows you to accompany your child in the communal areas of the Club such as the toilets and change rooms.

Yes. Visit our Membership Fees webpage and look for ‘family group’ to view current pricing.

There are a range of beach and water events as well as a surf education component and introductory lifesaving skills.

Beach activities include Flags, 1km run, beach sprint and beach relays.
Water events include a Wade (run on sand and knee deep water) for U8s only.

Board events for U9’s and up.

Swim up to 290 m surf swim around cans for age groups U9s and up.

Iron Person, for age groups U9s and up. Not for the faint hearted – 290m swim, 70 m run, 400m board paddle and 70m run.

A complete list of aged activities is available on our What Nippers Learn webpage.

Nipper season usually starts on the second Sunday in October. Refer to our Nippers Info and Sign Up webpage for dates.

Use your age groups chat on Team App.

Your child’s age group is determined by their age on 30th September. For example, if you child is eight years old on 30th September, they are in the Under 9s. Visit this webpage to view a matrix that defines which age group your child will be in.

The Preliminary Evaluation swims will be held prior to the commencement date for Nippers, please refer to the last section on the Nippers Info and Sign Up page.

Yes. Arrangements can be made for swimming evaluations to be conducted on any child unable to attend the official Preliminary Skills Evaluation sessions, however it is easiest to attend the pre-season sessions.

Water Safety personnel will conduct Preliminary Evaluation Swim at the Dee Why ocean pool early in the season for those who cannot make the official Preliminary Skills Evaluation sessions.

The season runs from October through to March with a two week break after Christmas Day.

Yes. Generally, the second week in January on Sunday. Please check Team App for date.

Marshaling in front of the club takes place at 8.45am, with sessions running 9.00am to 10.30am.

Parents are required to assist in beach set up/pack down and BBQ duty when their child’s age group is rostered on. This occurs two or three times per season.

Your child’s Age Manager will remind you when it is your turn.

Parents are expected to stay on the beach during Nippers sessions. They are asked to assist where possible and to be involved. The only exception to this is when you are on BBQ duty.

All Nippers must wear a Dee Why Club Cap and pink rash vest to participate.

There are no exceptions to this rule. No cap, no rashie, no Nippers!

These items and others are available for sale from the Uniform Shop – located behind the first aid room on the ground floor of the clubhouse.

View our Nippers Clothing webpage for more information.

The uniform shop is usually open during nippers sessions.

Nippers will only be cancelled in the event of severe weather such as thunderstorms – check Team App for updates.

Water events will be held at the discretion of Water Safety practioners and the Patrol Captain. The decision will be made based on conditions and the age group’s competency. We also rely heavily on advice from our council Lifeguards.

Yes. Please ensure your child’s name has been marked off the roll with the respective Age Manager – prior to leaving the beach.

Whilst all children are welcome in the Nippers program, we are not a swim school. It is recommended that all children have had swimming lessons before enrolling in Nippers.

In this event children should seek out an Age Manager, identified in the white long sleeve shirts or proceed to the lifesaving patrol tent for assistance.

A scheduled calendar of events is available in the Nippers Calendar. This can be accessed from our Nippers Calendar webpage.

Nippers presentation is held after the season has finished and is generally held on an arranged date after the last Sunday Nippers. Please refer to the Nipper Calendar for exact dates. This can be accessed from the Nippers Calendar webpage.

Yes, the Club runs training sessions for all Nippers during the week with fully accredited coaches. Sessions and times will vary from season to season. Check the Team App calendar for further info.

Parents should check with Age Managers if their children can participate in these sessions.

All our Nippers in Under 9 and above are invited to join our Surf Sports Team, although this is not compulsory. All competitors are required to complete a Preliminary Skills Evaluation in the Ocean with our qualified coaches. More information about competitions can be found by emailing junior.surfsports@dyslsc.org.au.

There is a once off Competition Levy per season. Refer to the clubs Membership Fees webpage. This is payable for any Nipper that enters a carnival.

These dates and locations are set by Surf Lif Saving Sydney Northern Beaches and will be available at the beginning of the season and listed in the Nippers Calendar.

Generally carnivals take place at Manly, Freshwater, Queenscliff, Newport, Narrabeen and Dee Why.