How do i register?
Nippers is a great healthy and fun activity enjoyed by many Australian kids each year. They do not have to be super competitors or athletes. A love of the beach and surf is all they need!
Click here for details on how to register.
Click here for details on how to register.
Where and When?
The South Narrabeen Surf Club is at 1200 Pittwater Rd Narrabeen.
Sunday mornings nippers start at 9.30am in front of the South Narrabeen Clubhouse (on the beach side) with the children assembling in their age groups. There are “Twilight Nippers” on an occasional Saturday afternoon, followed by a social event at the club.
Sunday mornings nippers start at 9.30am in front of the South Narrabeen Clubhouse (on the beach side) with the children assembling in their age groups. There are “Twilight Nippers” on an occasional Saturday afternoon, followed by a social event at the club.
What to bring?
Children should arrive ready to start activities with their Orange Club Cap on their head, sunscreen and a shirt. It’s a good idea to bring a water bottle as well as it can get hot on the beach during summer. Sunscreen is available for all members in the Patrol room.
Age Groups
At the start of Nippers, the kids line up in their age group led by their Age Manager and their attendance is recorded. Younger kids tend to do more beach events and wading races, whilst older kids are encouraged to go into the water for swimming and board paddling (no water events are held when the beach is dangerous or closed). It is important that your children follow the instructions of the Age Managers and if you can help out with setting up the beach and running the events, that would be great.
Age Groups are determined by the age as at 30 September each year. For example, if a child is 9 years of age on or before 30 September, they will be in the Under 10 age group for the entire season. Age groups range from Under 5 to Under 14. Proof of age must be sighted at registration before a child can participate.
Age Groups are determined by the age as at 30 September each year. For example, if a child is 9 years of age on or before 30 September, they will be in the Under 10 age group for the entire season. Age groups range from Under 5 to Under 14. Proof of age must be sighted at registration before a child can participate.
In the Water
In the water, Patrol Members and Age Managers are responsible for your child’s safety. Qualified water safety members will go with the kids into the water and help them if they need assistance. Your children will be taught to put their hand up if they need a rest and they will be brought safely back to shore.
Surf Education
On certain days, instruction will be given in surf awareness, surf safety and surf skills using the Surf Life Saving Surf Education Program (Surf Ed). Children are required to have participated in the “Surf Ed” program for their age group before the end of the season.
The primary aim of Surf Education is to develop children’s abilities to recognise a safe beach zone or aquatic environment and to safely enjoy beach activities. We will attempt to achieve this aim by delivering enjoyable surf education sessions during the season.
All nippers are able to gain their respective “Surf Ed” award for their age group during the season.
The primary aim of Surf Education is to develop children’s abilities to recognise a safe beach zone or aquatic environment and to safely enjoy beach activities. We will attempt to achieve this aim by delivering enjoyable surf education sessions during the season.
All nippers are able to gain their respective “Surf Ed” award for their age group during the season.
Nipper Events
Nipper events consist of Beach and Water competitions. The Beach Sprint is running a set distance. The Beach Flags is lying down on the sand and running a short distance to a flag. The Beach Relay is a team run and the Surf Wade is for the younger ones running through the shallow water.
For the older ones, the Surf Swim is swimming around a buoy that is set beyond the breakers. The Board Race is paddling on a board out through the surf and around the buoy.
Water safety officers supervise the water events. There is one Water Safety Officer for every 5 nippers in the water.
As a parent or guardian, you are required to be at the beach at all times during the Sunday activities.
Nippers finishes around 11am, after which parents and children enjoy a sausage sandwich from the BBQ. At the start of the season, we ask parents to volunteer to help out on the BBQ. You should only be on duty once in the season and the kids will enjoy seeing you helping out their club.
For the older ones, the Surf Swim is swimming around a buoy that is set beyond the breakers. The Board Race is paddling on a board out through the surf and around the buoy.
Water safety officers supervise the water events. There is one Water Safety Officer for every 5 nippers in the water.
As a parent or guardian, you are required to be at the beach at all times during the Sunday activities.
Nippers finishes around 11am, after which parents and children enjoy a sausage sandwich from the BBQ. At the start of the season, we ask parents to volunteer to help out on the BBQ. You should only be on duty once in the season and the kids will enjoy seeing you helping out their club.
What You Need
About the only things a nipper needs are swimmers, towel, South Narra cap, sunscreen, and a smile!
The South Narrabeen cap is compulsory and to be worn from the start to the finish of nippers. Parents should write the nipper’s first name on the side on the cap in black permanent marker.
South Narrabeen club clothing such as rash shirts (child & adult sizes), polar fleece tops, wide brim hats and many other items are available for purchase at registration and Sundays throughout the season. Click here for the current price list.
The club supplies most, if not all, of the equipment needed for Sunday nippers and carnivals, including surfboards. This equipment is available for the use of all registered nippers and must be put back after use. We all need to look after the equipment, however accidents do happen, just please let us know.
The South Narrabeen cap is compulsory and to be worn from the start to the finish of nippers. Parents should write the nipper’s first name on the side on the cap in black permanent marker.
South Narrabeen club clothing such as rash shirts (child & adult sizes), polar fleece tops, wide brim hats and many other items are available for purchase at registration and Sundays throughout the season. Click here for the current price list.
The club supplies most, if not all, of the equipment needed for Sunday nippers and carnivals, including surfboards. This equipment is available for the use of all registered nippers and must be put back after use. We all need to look after the equipment, however accidents do happen, just please let us know.
Proficiency
All nippers in the Under 8 to Under 14 age groups must undertake a Proficiency Swim before they can participate in any water events. Please see the season calendar for proficiency swim dates.
- Under 8 & 9 25 metre swim & 1 min survival float
- Under 10 25 metre swim & 1 ½ min survival float
- Under 11 50 metre swim & 2 min survival float
- Under 12 100 metre swim & 2 min survival float
- Under 13 150 metre swim & 3 min survival float
- Under 14 200 metre swim & 3 min survival float
Parental Involvement
At least one parent of a registered Junior member (Nippers) must be an Associate or Active Club Member. Benefits include insurance cover during club activities, and access to Members Change Rooms. Other discounts like hIre of the function room and gym usage is also available at minimal cost. Surf Life Saving Australia is a volunteer organisation. The Club’s Nippers Committee needs parental involvement in your child/children’s activities so that the experience may be safe, enjoyable and rewarding.
As a parent, your enjoyment of Nippers will be enhanced as you become more active in the club. There are many roles which aren’t too demanding. No qualifications or experience is necessary (although last season’s helpers are encouraged to assist this season as well). Don’t worry, instruction and assistance will be provided. Remember that the Age Managers need an extra hand on the beach too!
As previously mentioned, there will be a BBQ Roster for the season, where each age group will take a turn to help out on the BBQ on Sunday morning. If you are unable to assist on your rostered day, please organise to swap with someone else. It doesn’t take long and it’s a chance for you to meet other club members (not to mention the great view!)
As a parent, your enjoyment of Nippers will be enhanced as you become more active in the club. There are many roles which aren’t too demanding. No qualifications or experience is necessary (although last season’s helpers are encouraged to assist this season as well). Don’t worry, instruction and assistance will be provided. Remember that the Age Managers need an extra hand on the beach too!
As previously mentioned, there will be a BBQ Roster for the season, where each age group will take a turn to help out on the BBQ on Sunday morning. If you are unable to assist on your rostered day, please organise to swap with someone else. It doesn’t take long and it’s a chance for you to meet other club members (not to mention the great view!)
Carnivals
Surf Clubs regularly conduct Carnivals during the season at which Under 8 to Under 14 Nippers (who are registered and have passed their proficiency tests) may compete.
Competition is entirely voluntary and competitors must wear the club costume and cap. The Carnivals are held as competition between nippers of different surf clubs (Northern Beaches), culminating with the Branch Junior Championships and the NSW Junior State Championships near the end of the season.
Individual competition for Carnivals include beach sprint, beach flags, wade race (U8), surf swim, board race, board rescue and ironman/woman. Team events include sprint relay, swim teams, wade relay (U8), board relay, and the March Past.
The Club can also enter a team in the All Age Relay which is one nipper from each age group running a beach sprint relay for their club.
Please talk to the Age Manager if you would like your child to participate in the carnivals. Training for carnivals is usually the week prior and we encourage nippers to compete, even if it is just in a relay. Please see the Carnival Manager for more information
The Under 5 to Under 7 groups are primarily educational and recreational. There is no formal inter-club competition for these ages, so Nippers will run as normal for them on Carnival days.
Competition is entirely voluntary and competitors must wear the club costume and cap. The Carnivals are held as competition between nippers of different surf clubs (Northern Beaches), culminating with the Branch Junior Championships and the NSW Junior State Championships near the end of the season.
Individual competition for Carnivals include beach sprint, beach flags, wade race (U8), surf swim, board race, board rescue and ironman/woman. Team events include sprint relay, swim teams, wade relay (U8), board relay, and the March Past.
The Club can also enter a team in the All Age Relay which is one nipper from each age group running a beach sprint relay for their club.
Please talk to the Age Manager if you would like your child to participate in the carnivals. Training for carnivals is usually the week prior and we encourage nippers to compete, even if it is just in a relay. Please see the Carnival Manager for more information
The Under 5 to Under 7 groups are primarily educational and recreational. There is no formal inter-club competition for these ages, so Nippers will run as normal for them on Carnival days.
Handicapping and Championships
There are two club competitions held during the season: Handicap and Championship. Each is based on cumulative points earned across all events run for every competition day in the season. There are separate Boys and Girls awards for the first 3 places in each age group, as well as additional awards to keep youngsters motivated: e.g. Most Improved. Children are encouraged, without coercion, to participate in every event in which they are proficient.
Handicap events are run on most days of the season. The aim is to give all children a chance to earn a place and to provide the more physically talented children with a greater challenge. Points are awarded for participating in an event, wearing the club surf cap and for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places. The handicap is accumulated over multiple days and is reduced if there are fewer than 4 competitors in an event. There are points, but no handicap for the Under 9 to Under 14 water events (swim and board).
Club Championship events are held on 4 days during the season. There are no handicaps on Championship days. Points are awarded for the first 6 places.
Handicap events are run on most days of the season. The aim is to give all children a chance to earn a place and to provide the more physically talented children with a greater challenge. Points are awarded for participating in an event, wearing the club surf cap and for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places. The handicap is accumulated over multiple days and is reduced if there are fewer than 4 competitors in an event. There are points, but no handicap for the Under 9 to Under 14 water events (swim and board).
Club Championship events are held on 4 days during the season. There are no handicaps on Championship days. Points are awarded for the first 6 places.
Nipper of the Year Award
At the end of the year the committee will present the Nipper of the Year award to the most outstanding male and female nipper of all ages, recognising performance and participation for the club. Points will be awarded on the following basis during the year;
Participation at South Narrabeen on Sundays: 1 point per week for each event competed in (ie sprint, wade, flags, swim & board)
South Narrabeen Season Championship Results: 20 points – 1st, 10 points – 2nd, 5 points – 3rd
Club participation: 5 points per event (eg assisting with Brewarrina, Australia Day, set up or clean up of Xmas or Halloween party
Carnival Participation and results will also be considered.
Final Decision by Committee
The point score will determine the top 3 finalists, with the final decision to be made by the Nippers Committee taking into account overall sportsmanship and role model qualities.
Participation at South Narrabeen on Sundays: 1 point per week for each event competed in (ie sprint, wade, flags, swim & board)
South Narrabeen Season Championship Results: 20 points – 1st, 10 points – 2nd, 5 points – 3rd
Club participation: 5 points per event (eg assisting with Brewarrina, Australia Day, set up or clean up of Xmas or Halloween party
Carnival Participation and results will also be considered.
Final Decision by Committee
The point score will determine the top 3 finalists, with the final decision to be made by the Nippers Committee taking into account overall sportsmanship and role model qualities.
