Starfish Nippers and 18+ YAHOOs 

Hampton Life Saving Club launched its amazing Starfish Nippers in 2012 and it continues to grow each year! This modified program has been designed just for young people (roughly ages 5 through 18) with all abilities. Starfish includes kids with autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit disorder, global developmental delay, Down syndrome, and a wide variety of other medical and intellectual challenges and learning difficulties.
 

Starfish Nippers aims to provide water and beach safety and awareness through beach exercise, water familiarisation and safety education. The program includes swimming, board skills, water awareness, kayaking, lots of games, lifesaving skills and many other exciting activities. At age 18, participants transition to the YAHOO group (Young Adults at Hampton with Outstanding Opportunities). 

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Participants are individually supported mentors with life saving qualifications who help encourage maximum participation by adjusting the program as needed whilst maintaining a high standard of water and beach safety.

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Starfish Nippers runs alongside HLSC Nippers on Saturday afternoons, with the YAHOO program kicking off a little later in the day. In addition to our regular sessions, we've hosted two incredible state carnivals with members of multiple clubs joining in the fun.

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How to Sign Up/What to Expect

1. First, click the button to send an email to the Starfish team and express your interest.

2. Next, we'll reach out to discuss your family's needs, concerns, goals and how the program might work for your child or teen. 

3. We'll provide an enrolment and medical form to complete before we can provide confirmation of acceptance into the program, and then we'll walk you through the rest of the sign-up process.

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Interested in being a one-on-one mentor? Email the Starfish team below.

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Note that a parent or guardian must remain on the beach at all times during the Starfish Nipper and YAHOO programs.