nippers

Not only are our Junior Members integral for our pipeline to future Active membership, but by providing junior development programs, Surf Life Saving Clubs are ensuring that the next generation learns valuable life skills and knowledge which one day might save their life, or even perhaps the life of another.

NIPPERS

Nippers are members aged between 5 and 13 (children must have turned 5 by 30th September to join and participate in our nipper program).  Participating in our Nippers Program is a great activity for growing a child’s confidence, knowledge and skills in the beach environment. Not only will your child have fun and meet new friends, they will become part of an iconic organisation that has served the Australian community for over 100 years.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT – WHY DO WE NEED AGE MANAGERS?

We strongly encourage active participation by all our nipper parents in Club activities including Age Managers, Water Safety, Officials, weekly beach set up, BBQ duty and numerous other tasks required to allow the successful functioning of the Club and the enjoyment of our nippers.

Water safety at weekly Sunday Nippers and Carnivals is a mandatory requirement for the safe running of Nipper activities. The Water Safety team is made up of Nipper parents who have completed and hold their Bronze Medallion or SRC. In order to maintain the required Water Safety numbers we encourage all parents who meet the course requirements to complete their Bronze Medallion or SRC.

In addition, the Club is required to provide a roster of Officials for carnivals in which the Club participates. Becoming an Official provides an excellent opportunity to be “in the action” within the competitor areas at carnivals and make a key contribution to the Club. Details of the next Officials course to be run by the Club will be provided early in the season.

Unfortunately, FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE REQUIRED NUMBER OF AGE MANAGERS, WATER SAFETY OR OFFICIALS MAY RESULT IN THE CLUB AND ALL ITS COMPETITORS BEING EXCLUDED FROM CARNIVALS, OR NIPPER ACTIVITIES BEING CANCELLED.

Remember that we are all volunteers and that many hands make light work. Any assistance is appreciated and children enjoy seeing mum or dad involved in activities in which they are participating. Anyone can assist – please see any of our team for details on how to be involved, including how to complete the Age Managers course.

NIPPER PROFICIENCY

It is a requirement that each nipper undertake and pass proficiency prior to partaking in any nipper activity. Insurance restrictions prohibit registration of children under the age of 5 years. All new registrations to the club will need to produce a birth certificate or similar, and be approved by the committee.

HOW AGE GROUPS ARE DEFINED

The age group in which a child will participate on club days or compete at carnivals is calculated as at midnight on the 30th September. For example, if a child’s age at the 30th September is 12 years, then the child will be in the U13 age group, while a child who turns 12 after the 30th September will be in the U12 age group.

NIPPERS WILL BE INVOLVED IN THE FOLLOWING EVENTS

  • Beach Sprints
  • Surf Swims
  • Board Rescues
  • Flags
  • Beach Relays
  • Board Paddling
  • March Past
  • Iron Man

Nippers will also enjoy fitness, sports, games, education and develop leadership skills as they get older. Whilst competition results at each nipper day goes toward the end of season tally, the emphasis at Crowdy Head is on participation, learning, enjoyment and encouragement.

IN AN EMERGENCY

As a parent / carer, if you are not needed to assist with nipper on any given day, it is still essential that you PLEASE STAY around the clubhouse and immediate beach area during nippers. Although there are patrols being undertaken and water safety members are on hand if needed, should an emergency situation arise, whether it is related or unrelated to nipper events, you may be required to immediately collect your child from the beach.

COMMUNICATION

The main form of communication within the club is our FaceBook page. Should at any stage during the Nippers Season it becomes necessary to cancel nipper activities due to poor/dangerous weather conditions, we will notify you via our Facebook Page and SMS.

TAKING OF PHOTOS

There will be times where Club representatives will be on the beach taking photos of our members while undertaking their weekly activities. These photos are used for the sole purpose of promoting the Club and the Nipper activities in publications such as our social media and web page. Should you NOT wish for you or your child’s photo to be taken or included in these promotions, please see our JAG Director, JAG Administrator or our Director of Member Services.

MEMBER PROTECTION AND CHILD SAFETY

Member protection is a term widely used in the Australian sports industry to describe the practices that sporting organisations put in place to protect their members from discrimination, harassment, abuse and other inappropriate behaviour.

The Child Safe Program assists Surf Life Saving (SLS) in our commitment to the protection of Children and Young People (CYP) from abuse, harm and exploitation.

Each year, all SLS members sign the SLSA membership form which binds them to SLS policies such as the Member Protection and Child Safe policies.

NIPPERS CARNIVAL INFOPDF DOWNLOAD

Download our handy Crowdy Head Nippers Carnival info sheet. The sheet includes information on entering carnivals, surf sports for each age group, what to bring and what happens on the day of a carnival.

JUNIOR

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Our amazing volunteers make a life saving difference in so many different ways – no matter how much time you have to spare, we’re ready to welcome you to your local club.

CROWDY HEAD SLSC

557 Crowdy Head Rd, Crowdy Head NSW 2427

Email Us

Phone: 02 6556 1325
Just so you know, our phone is answered when the caretaker is in residence or if someone is upstairs near the bar. It isn't accessible from the Patrol Tower.

We are proud to offer MEMBER PROTECTION and be a CHILD SAFE club.