Nippers at Hampton

What is Nippers?

Nippers is a fun, educational and healthy summer activity for all the family. Life Saving is an amazing activity for developing a child’s confidence, knowledge and skills in the beach environment. Your child will learn to enjoy our beaches and keep them safe as well as making new friends and having a great time!

Nippers is a training ground for future lifesavers and activities are aimed at building lifesaving and leadership skills. Membership is open to all children aged from 5 – 13 (age taken as at the 30th of September each season).

Each Saturday during the nipper season, parents and helpers assist with beach and water activities targeting each age group which leads to Surf certificates and awards for the children.

Competition is available to all age groups with competition both locally and around the State. Please refer to the Competition page for more information.

 We encourage all parents to play an active role in the Nippers program to make it a more enjoyable experience for yourself and your children. There are many ways you can be involved … as an Age Manager, Age Manager’s assistant, Water Safety Officer or Kiosk or BBQ helper. Contact either the Junior Activities Director or Club Secretary for more information on how you can be involved.

Please be aware that Nippers is not a learn-to-swim program. All children from Under 8 to Under 14 will be tested for competency in the water at the start of each season. The Competency Requirements for each Age Group are outline in the table below:

AGE GROUP	SWIM REQUIREMENTS	SURVIVAL FLOAT
Under 6	Nil - shallow water activities only	Nil
Under 7	Nil - shallow water activities only	Nil
Under 8	25m swim - any stroke	1 minute survival float
Under 9	25m swim - any stroke	1 minute survival float
Under 10	25m swim - freestyle	90 second survival float
Under 11	50m swim - freestyle	2 minute survival float
Under 12	100m swim - freestyle	2 minute survival float
Under 13	150m swim - freestyle	3 minute survival float
Under 14	200m swim - freestyle in less than 5 minutes	3 minute survival float

Nippers must wear Sunscreen (to be provided by parents), a Club Rash vest (purchased from the Club) and Cap (which will be given out at sign-in each session). Please ensure your child has their drink bottle (named clearly) that can be put in the Age Group tub that is moved around the beach with them.