BECOME A NIPPER

Surf Life Saving Illawarra Junior Activities (Nippers) caters for more than 3,200  young “surf lifesavers in training”, delivered via our 17 surf clubs from Helensburgh/Stanwell Park to Windang.

JOIN NIPPERS

Commonly known as “nippers”, these young members learn the following skills during their time at their local surf club.

  • Lifesaving skills, CPR, and Surf Rescue skills

  • Surf safety and awareness, including how to identify rips, waves and different beach types

  • Surf Sports skills, such as how to catch a wave when swimming, paddling a board, board rescue, sprints and flags

  • Personal development and leadership skills, including teamwork and improving self confidence

Making up over one third of our membership, nippers are not only our future, but they are our “young lifesavers in training”. Graduation at Nippers takes place in the U14’s, when they achieve their SLS Surf Rescue Certificate and then join a SLS Patrol Team at their Club.

Nippers covers the age groups from 5 to 13 years of age (need to be a minimum of 5 years of age as at October 1st to join), and is run between October and March at each of our Clubs. This usually occurs on a Sunday morning  for a couple of hours, please contact your club for starting times.

Nippers is about having fun while learning new skills and making new friends. You do not need to be an awesome swimmer to start, but some skill level will be required. To find out how to become a nipper, check the website of any of our surf clubs and contact a club near you click here

BeachSafe App

Access the latest information about every Australian beach on the go. Offering unrivalled coverage of the Australian coastline, the Beachsafe app provides detailed information from patrol status, facilities and hazards to weather, swell and tide.