Open day: saturday 14th october, 10am-3pm
Season starts 25th November
The Nipper program is a great way for children and youth to make friends, stay active and enjoy the beach in a safe environment. Our program includes a combination of beach activities, including sprints, relays and games, and water activities such as swimming, boards and simulated rescues. Kids also receive valuable surf safety education tailored to each age group.
Advancement through lifesaving skills and certification is built into the Hampton Nippers program. In fact, the HLSC program was awarded Life Saving Victoria's Nipper Program of the Year for the unique and exceptional ways our youth leaders engage with younger Nippers to help them learn important skills. In fact, we have more teen patrollers, coaches and water safety than any club on the bay. They've all come up through the Nippers program and the younger kids look forward to becoming junior leaders themselves.
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Learning and Earning Certifications As They Grow
From age 5 through 13, Nippers are awarded a Surf Life Saving Australia Surf Education Award at the end of the season if they attend at least 75% of the sessions. At age 12 (the U13 group), kids earn their resuscitation certificates through the program, and by age 13 (the U14 group), they can earn a Surf Rescue Certificate, which enables them to participate as patrol members and provide water safety. Once they reach age 14, they are invited to stay involved as junior leaders and coaches.
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Session Dates and Times
The program runs most Saturdays, with a break over Christmas and returning late January through March.
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Please sign in by 2:45 (15 minutes before the session begins). The program runs 3:00 to 4:30 pm.
All Nippers must be signed out. If we don't know they've left, we have to launch a search on the beach.
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What to Wear and Bring
Nippers should arrive at the beach with:
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A parent or other adult (you must remain on the beach at all times, and sign them in and out)
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Sunscreen already applied
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Water bottle
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High-vis rashie (you can purchase these through HLSC or wear your own)
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Colour cap for the appropriate age group (provided by the club)
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Broad-brim hat
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Wetsuit on colder, windy days
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Goggles
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Towel
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​How To Determine Your Child's Age Group
Nippers cannot registered before their 5th birthday (the Under 6 or U6 group). Each participant is appointed to an age group based on their age on 30th September for the upcoming season. There are no exceptions. Each member’s date of birth is validated before participating.
Swimming Proficiency Requirements
Please be aware that Nippers is not a learn-to-swim program. All participants are expected to be engaged in regular swimming lessons to ensure that they can meet the required proficiency.
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Age Group
Swimming Proficiency (High-Level Description)
Under 6 (age 5 on 30th Sept)
Front glide 1-2 meters and recover in waist-deep water; back float for 15 seconds; submerge to touch sand at the bottom with hands
Under 7 (age 6 on 30th Sept)
Front glide 2-3 meters and recover in waist-deep water; back float for 30 seconds; submerge to touch sand at the bottom with hands
Under 8 (age 7 on 30th Sept)
20 meter swim (any stroke); 3-5 meter underwater swim; back float for 1 min; submerge to touch sand at the bottom with hands
Under 9 (age 8 on 30th Sept)
25 meter swim on front; breast/side/back stroke for 10 meters; tread water 1 minute; front-to-back or back-to-front float; submerge to touch sand at the bottom with hands
Under 10 (age 9 on 30th Sept)
25 meter swim on front; breast/side/back stroke for 25 meters; tread water 1 minute; front-to-back or back-to-front float; submerge to touch sand at the bottom with hands
Under 11 (age 10 on 30th Sept)
25 meter swim on front; breast/side/back stroke for 50 meters; tread water 2 minutes; front-to-back or back-to-front float; submerge to perform front or back roll; submerge to touch sand at the bottom with hands
Under 12 (age 11 on 30th Sept)
75 meter swim on front; breast/side stroke for 50 meters; tread water 3 minutes; front-to-back or back-to-front float; submerge to perform front or back roll; submerge to touch sand at the bottom with hands
Under 13 (age 12 on 30th Sept)
100 meter swim on front; breast/side stroke for 50 meters; tread water 3 minutes; front-to-back or back-to-front float; submerge to perform front or back roll; submerge to touch sand at the bottom with hands
Under 14 (age 13 on 30th Sept)
100 meter swim on front; breast/side stroke for 100 meters; tread water 3 minutes; front-to-back or back-to-front float; submerge to perform front or back roll and touch sand at the bottom with hands
For kids with additional needs, find out about our all-abilities Starfish Nippers program.