NIPPERS

What & Why

Nippers is surf lifesaving's Education Program and is delivered at Life Saving Clubs across Victoria throughout summer. The program is about children participating in safe, fun and organised activities in a beach environment; teaching beach safety along with preparing them to be future lifesavers.

Program Information

What will your Nipper learn

Nippers is about learning, confidence and having fun in a safe beach environment. For Nippers, the beach is the classroom. They gain confidence by passing the ‘tests’ of swimming, boarding riding, beach sprints, dolphin-diving, spotting a rip, having fun with new friends and discovering things about themselves. They also learn valuable water safety awareness and skills that can applied whenever they visit the beach, a river, a lake or the pool.

Nipper Skills

Nipper skills build progressively on skill development from U6-U13 in beach, water and lifesaving activities. The activities are designed to provide Nippers with the skills to be safe around open water and prepare them to complete their Surf Rescue Certificate.

Beach Activities

Beach Sprints
Beach Relay
Beach Run
Beach Flags
Nipper Games

Wading
Dolphin Diving
Surf Race
Boards
Aqua Cameron
Run-Swim-Run
Board Relay
Ironman / Ironwoman
Board Rescue
Tube Rescue

Water Activities

Age Groups

The minimum age for children to participate in the Nipper Education Program in Victoria is 5 years to a maximum age of 13 years. All Nippers are appointed to an age group each season based on their age at midnight on 30 September.

Swim Proficiency

Being able to swim competently is an integral part of making children safe at the beach as well as allowing them to actively participate and enjoy lifesaving activities.

The Nippers program is not a “learn to swim” program.

Swimming evaluations are in place to ensure that Nippers are fit and able to meet the minimum requirements for safety during the Nipper Program. The evaluations consist of a swim and survival float.

Want to join?

All Nippers that wish to be part of the program must:

Be part of a current Family Membership - Join on our membership page
Parents of Nippers must hold a current Working with Children Check
Be 5 – 13 years of age by midnight on September 30 in the current season
Complete a Preliminary Swim Evaluation prior to commencing Nipper activities in the water. ALSC offers club-run evaluation sessions.

Join our club here:

Membership

Nipper Uniform

Compulsory uniform items are:

an Altona lifesaving club skull cap

a hi-vis rash shirt (must be worn at all times), long sleeved or singlet. The high vis rash vest is worn over the wetsuit.
hat (does not need to be club hat)
sunscreen (part of our slip slop slap protection)

Wetsuits are optional and highly recommended, particularly in the early stages of the season when the water tends to be below 18°C. Once Nippers get cold it’s harder to focus and have fun. (We also sell beanies!)

You can purchase uniform items via the online shop. Volunteers will pack your order during the week and the shop will be open prior to the start of the Nippers program for the first half of the season.

Note that if you are wanting to purchase club swimmers, these are ordered through an external provider. Allow time for it to be made and posted to you.

There will also be TWO pick-up times in the week before the start of the season. The days and times will be advertised on TeamApp.

What To Bring Every Session

Bathers
Skull cap
Hi-vis rash vest

Hat
Sunscreen

Goggles
Towel

Water bottle
Wetsuit

Nipper Program 2026/27

Sunday 11th October	Nippers Swim Proficiency Assessment #1
Sunday 24th October	Nippers Swim Proficiency Assessment #2
Sunday 8th November	Nippers #1
Sunday 15th November	Nippers #2
Sunday 22nd November	Nippers #3
Sunday 29th November	Nippers #4
Sunday 6th December	Nippers #5
Sunday 13th December	Nippers #6 Christmas Special
Sunday 31st January	Nippers #7
Sunday 7th February	Nippers #8
Sunday 14th February	Nippers #9
Saturday 20th February	Nippers #10 (note the change to Saturday)
Sunday 28th February	Nippers #11 PRESENTATION DAY

Other Key Nipper Dates:

Swim assessments - Saturday 24 October 3-4pm Register via the EVENTS page

Every nipper from U8 and older is required to do a swim assessment prior to the season. This is an insurance requirement from Lifesaving Victoria.

You can EITHER do the swim assessment with your current swim teach: print form, get swim coach/teacher to sign; and send to nippers@altonalsc.com.au BY END OF OCTOBER.

OR attend one of the swim assessment days the club runs at Bayfit swimming pool together with the Williamstown club. Different age groups will run in different half hour slots. More info to come.

Please RSVP through TeamApp. If you are new to the club and have not yet got TeamApp then please RSVP to nippers@altonalsc.com.au

Age Managers season briefing - Sunday 18 October 3-4.30pm at the club

Welcome to the season, meet the team, collect kits/lesson plan guides, shirts etc. Please RSVP via TeamApp.