Eligibility and Registration
Nipper Registration for 2024/25 Season
Joining Nippers at North Wollongong Surf Life Saving Club is easy and just takes a few simple steps!!
1. Age Groups
Check what age group your child will be participating in.
The Nipper activities are divided into 9 age groups, from Under 6’s through to Under 14’s. The age group is determined by the nippers’ age at midnight on the 30th September each year.
- 1st October 2010 to 30th September 2011 Under 14 - Surf Rescue Certificate
- 1st October 2011 to 30th September 2012 Under 13 - Surf Smart 2
- 1st October 2012 to 30th September 2013 Under 12 - Surf Smart 1
- 1st October 2013 to 30th September 2014 Under 11 - Surf Safe 2
- 1st October 2014 to 30th September 2015 Under 10 - Surf Safe 1
- 1st October 2015 to 30th September 2016 Under 9 - Surf Aware 2
- 1st October 2016 to 30th September 2017 Under 8 - Surf Aware 1
- 1st October 2017 to 30th September 2018 Under 7 - Surf Play 2
- 1st October 2018 to 30th September 2019 Under 6 - Surf Play 1
NOTE: A child may join the Club as soon as he/she turns 5 years of age. A Club cannot accept membership of a child until they have reached the age of five years to comply with insurance requirements.
2. Consider Your Membership Costs
To cover many of the operation costs, North Wollongong SLSC requires all nippers and at least one parent/guardian to be financial members (Parents/guardians become Associate Members).
Membership fees for the current season are –
- Adult (parents/guardians): $80 (each)
- Nipper: $50 (each)
Other fees that may be incurred include a pink hi-vis rash vest, coloured age cap/club cap, club swimmers, carnival entry levy.
What do You Need to Participate in Nippers?
- U6 – Green skull cap $12
- U7 – Yellow skull cap $12
- U8 – U14 – Club skull cap $15 and pink hi-vis rash vest $25
These items can be purchased from the club office along with additional club merchandise such as swimmers, hats, shirts and beanies on Sunday mornings (during nippers) or during the week; Mon, Tues and Thurs 8am – 3.30pm.
3. Register Your Child
All Nippers must be registered with the Club, and Surf Life Saving Australia prior to participating in any events. Register online via the SLSA website: join.sls.com.au.
New to The Club?
Complete the registration process and make payment of fees. Remember each nipper must have a parent/guardian also register as an Associate Member of NWSLSC. All new members will also be required to provide ID (e.g. birth certificates, passport, drivers license).
Returning Member?
Login to your members portal through members.sls.com.au
- Select Memberships
- Select Renew, Pay, Transfer & Archive
- Check your details are correct
- Follow the prompts
- Any problems contact the Club Registrar
4. Register Your Child
At Nippers we do not provide swimming lessons. We suggest that all Nippers participate in one of our local swim schools all year round, in order to prepare your child for surf sport activities. Children who do pool swimming regularly will be more capable in the surf and ultimately enjoy nippers more.
In order to participate in water activities all Under 6 to Under 14 Nippers must complete water proficiency assessments, in accordance with Surf Life Saving Australia’s requirements.
Note: It is not an assessment which if not completed competently precludes the child from becoming a member or continuing with junior surf education or training activities. Members who are unsuccessful at their first attempt are encouraged to try again at a later time.
The proficiency swims for the 2024/2025 season will be held at: McKeon’s Swim School, 1 Marley Pl, Unanderra Saturday’s 7th and 14th September 2024 between 12.30pm – 2.30pm. Subsequent swims will be held as required at the Continental Pools, North Wollongong.
