Season Information

The North Wollongong Nippers season starts on Sunday 20th October, and  will run through to mid-March, however we do break over the Christmas  holidays. You can find the calendar in our closed Facebook group Nippers  – North Wollongong SLSC. You will need to answer some questions before  being admitted to the group as we will only add parents or guardians of  children registered in our nippers program.

During our Sunday mornings nippers program, we require a parent or  guardian to remain at the beach at all times and preferably where the  child can see you. Children often need to go to the toilet and age  managers will not permit children to go on their own.

Sunday morning nippers arrive at 8.45am (for a 9am start). The kids  assemble in their age groups with their age manager. Parents are asked  to stay nearby to listen to any announcements/information about the  days’ activities or other club news. 

All children are required to have their attendance recorded by the age manager prior to joining the
morning’s activities, and must also be signed out before leaving the group, whether during nippers or at the end of the session.

Children should arrive ready to start with their cap on and sun screen applied.

It is compulsory to wear the club cap whilst participating in nippers.

(Once nippers has finished for the day and the child has been marked off by the age manager, the nipper cap must be taken off.)

In addition to the cap, any Under 8 – Under 14 nipper taking part in  any water based activity must wear a pink hi-visibility rash vest at all  times whilst in the water. The pink rash vests have been introduced to  add to the safety children participating in water events.

No pink rashie = No participation in water activities.

When the Sunday morning session commences, the children take part in a  warm-up and some activities on the beach and in the water.

Under 6’s, Under 7’s and Under 8’s are encouraged to do water wades  and other water activities to increase familiarity with the surf and  boost their confidence. These groups also are introduced to different  events, try out some boards in the shallows and play lots of games in  the sand and in the water – again to increase their familiarity with the  beach and, well, because nippers is supposed to be fun! Parents and  carers are encouraged to get involved and assist the Age Mangers with  the activities. 

It is important that a parent or carer does not leave the beach and is present at all times.

The older age groups (U9 – U14) use their time at nippers to learn  and practice the various skills of the surf and surf lifesaving – surf  swimming, boards and beach events. There will also be days where the  nippers compete in beach, board and swim events and points are awarded  for places. These are Club Championship days. There are six of these  point score days throughout the season (please view the nipper calendar  for dates). Please note there is a minimum attendance of 75% required in order to eligible for any of the Club Championship awards.

Participation is not, however, mandatory and no child is forced to  compete in any event in which they are not capable, or if surf  conditions are inappropriate.

Nippers will usually finish around 11am. Thereafter, join us at the  Surf club for a delicious sausage sizzle and mingle with other North  Wollongong families.

Other things that are a good idea to bring along (please ensure they are labelled):

• Goggles
• Towel
• Drink bottle
• Sunscreen

Children are not permitted to wear watches or jewellery during  nippers. Wetsuits may be worn on Sunday mornings, but are not permitted  at carnivals or club championships.

Wetsuits may be worn on Sunday mornings, but are not permitted at carnivals or club championships.

The North Wollongong caps, high-vis rashies, club swimmers and other  apparel are available from the clubhouse most Sundays or are available  online.

For carnivals, club swimmers must be worn.