Nippers

Surf education and safety in the aquatic environment for 5-13 year olds

Nippers Evolve Lifesavers

Black Rock Life Saving Club offer a beach education program for children aged 5 to 13 years to learn lifesaving skills.

At Black Rock Life Saving Club, we provide an ideal environment to nurture our members in aquatic awareness, fitness, and first aid, all while fostering the potential to become a valued community Lifesaver.

It’s important to note that Nippers is not a learn-to-swim program, we strongly encourage all participants to engage in a swimming program. Upon joining, Nippers must successfully complete a swimming assessment, and until this assessment is achieved, parents are required to supervise their children closely on a one-to-one basis.

Skills Assessment Information

Age Groups Information

Nippers relies on the support of its members & parent helpers; no lifesaving knowledge is necessary as you will learn alongside your Nipper. This may include setup and pack down of the beach/activities, becoming a qualified Age Manager, becoming a qualified water safety officer, assisting with the Nipper Admin App, BBQ or uniform sales.

Nipper Parent Information

Social

Black Rock Nippers enjoy plenty of social events over the season from discos, beach games, water park obstacle courses, bake sales and more.

To ensure all children have a suitable swimming ability to allow them to participate in open water activities, Surf Life Saving Australia has developed a Junior Preliminary Skills Evaluation (click link for further information) for each age group. Every nipper is required to participate in this evaluation, conducted by the club, prior to any junior water activity training or competition being undertaken.

In surf education nippers are taught vital water safety and survival skills, as well as to appreciate and protect their environment. As nippers progress through the age categories they will gain an understanding of health, lifesaving rescue techniques, first aid and resuscitation preparing them to achieve their Surf Rescue Certificate and start beach patrols at the age of 13, if they wish to.

From the U8 age group participation in competition is offered in a number of different disciplines that helps nippers learn their beach and surf skills and also provides them with regular physical activity that incorporates fun and team work. Competition is encouraged but not compulsory. Carnivals are held at different Bay and Surf beaches around the State each year, so they also provide a fabulous opportunity to explore different parts of Victoria.

Our intention at Black Rock LSC is to grow healthy, well balanced Life Savers within a supportive, fun and educational environment, that has at it’s core family and community based values.

Nipper Surf Education

Nov-Feb
Saturday 12:30-2:00pm

Age 5-13
– Fitness fun and games for future lifesavers;
beach safety beach & surf conditions aquatic animals first aid swimming & board skills beach sprints & flags
This is not a learn to swim program.
– all nippers are required to achieve the preliminary skills (PS) level for the age group they train with.

PS Skills Level