Nippers

Shellharbour Surf Life Saving Club Penguins

The club provides an extremely well organised and exciting program of activities for the younger members (commonly referred to as Nippers).

Approved activities are available to male and females from the age of 6 through to 14 years of age.

There are also activities for those boys and girls aged between 6 and 7 that do not involve water or competition based programs.

Registrations take place in September of each year, and cover the season September through to April the following year. Activities are scheduled in age groups, with the qualifying age date of September 30th. The age of the child as at September 30th will depend what age group she or he will join.  For example if a child turns 11 on the 30th September he\she will be in the under 12's.  If a child turns 11 on the 4th October he\she will be in the under 11's.

Each age group is under the control and direction of an Age Group Manager.  Each age group manager will have had to complete the SLSA standard "level one" coaching program.  It is quite common that the Manager is a parent of one of the children from that age group and is, or has been, an active patrolling member of the club.

As well as surf and beach activities, all children from the under 8 age group and above take part in the national Surf Education program.  The children are involved in a series of structured learning activities focused on their understanding of safe beach and aquatic environments, survival skills in an aquatic environment together with basic first aid and resuscitation teaching programs.

The emphasis at Shellharbour Surf Club is learning skills in an enjoyable environment.  Although children are encouraged to participate in competition, the focus of our activities is one of learning.  As such we do not hold regular point score competition at club level.  We do have an annual club championship where skills learnt throughout the season can be utilised in recognition of individual performance.

Upon reaching the age of 14 members then transfer through to the senior club.  Before doing so they will have attained skills that will enable them to be an integral part of the patrol roster system.  At the age of 15 a member can obtain their Bronze Medallion Award and become Active Members of the Surf Club.

• Nippers Committee
• Gear
• Activities
• Handbook