What is Nippers?
Nippers is a great family activity that is a lot of fun for kids and adults alike. Membership is from U6 to U14 years (U6 must turn 5 by 30th Sept 2024) and involves education, training and competition.
Our aim is to educate our children about surf safety and teach them life saving techniques, wrapped up in a whole lot of fun! Regular events include beach sprinting and relays, beach flags, swimming, board paddling, and wading. All equipment is supplied; however some families choose to buy their own boards to make additional training easier.
We hope that you and your family will enjoy being members of Dee Why Surf Life Saving Club!
Under 6 & Under 7
- Introduction to the club and beach
- Sun safety
- Who are Life Savers what do they do
- Where to swim
- Identify holes and gutters
- Marine creatures
- Introduction to beach flags/sprint and wade
- Shallow water activities
- Get your face wet
- Getting comfortable on a board
Under 8
- Build on what was learnt in U6/U7s
- Proficiency 25m swim 1 minute float
- Beach flags
- Sprint and wade for competition
- Start competition within the club and against other clubs
- Introduction Dolphin diving under waves
- Introduction to body surfing
- Build up swimming in the surf
- Introduction to board paddling
Under 9 & Under 10
- Build on what was learnt in previous years
- Proficiency 50m swim 1 ½ minute float
- Beach flags; sprint; swim and board paddling for competition
- 150m open water swim prerequisite for competitors
- Dolphin diving under waves
- Body surfing
- Surf swimming
- Board Paddling
- Rip awareness and management
Under 11, Under 12 & Under 13
- Build on what was learnt in previous years
- Proficiency 200m swim in under 6 minutes
- 3 minute float
- 288m open water swim prerequisite for competitors
- Advance to fiberglass boards
- U13 eligible to compete in board riding competition
- Introduction to beach signals
- Introduction to Resuscitation
- Introduction to Board rescue skills
- Introduction to Tube rescue skills
- Introduction to basic first aid
Under 14
- Build on what was learnt in previous years
- Proficiency 200m swim (5 minutes) 3 minute float
- Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC) which is run over the October Long Weekend
- 288m open water swim prerequisite for those who wish to compete
- Advance to fiberglass Long boards
- Become patrolling members
