Nippers

Peregian Beach Nippers

The Nippers program is the perfect way to introduce your child to the beach environment. An active, friendly and fun program, Peregian Nippers teaches children about surf awareness and develops their surf sports skills all while making new friends in a fun and safe environment!

Learn surf awareness and safety
Learn new skills
Make new friends
Get outside and enjoy our amazing beach lifestyle
Have fun!!

When is Nippers?

The Peregian Nippers season runs from October to March on Sunday mornings between 7.30am and 10.00am.

Sunday Program Times:

Sign-on All Ages 7.40am-7.50am
Welcome and Announcements 7.50am-8.00am
U6 – U7                 8.00am – 9.00am
U8 – U9                 8.00am – 9.30am
U10 – U14           8.00am – 10.00am

Key Program Dates - 2024-25

DATE	TIME	EVENT	VENUE
Saturday 31st August	10am – 12pm	Pool Proficiency Day	Coolum Swim Fit
Sunday 8th September	10am – 12pm	Pool Proficiency Day	Coolum Swim Fit
Sunday 6th October	7:45am Sign On, On the Beach at 8am	First Nippers session!	Peregian Surf Club
Friday 13th December		Christmas Break-up	Peregian Surf Club
Sunday 19th January		Nippers re-starts 2025!	Peregian Surf Club
Sunday 9th March		Last Nippers session	Peregian Surf Club
Sunday 16th March		End of Season Celebration	TBC

How it all works…..

Becoming a Peregian Nipper is easy!

Any child 5 years of age on or before 30 September 2024 can join the Club with a parent or legal guardian.

A typical Nippers day begins with sign-on and announcements at the Clubhouse. Then down to the beach for a warm-up and signals practice. Then, in rotation by age group, the children participate in variations of flags, sprints, board /bodyboard paddling and swims/ wades, all designed to be fun and develop the skills to become competent lifesavers. The program targets specific activities designed to teach surf safety relative to the needs of each age group and may include some surf sports skills to prepare for upcoming carnivals.

Children are not taught to swim at Nippers – we recommend that children attend regular lessons to develop their strength and confidence. Surf swim training focuses on negotiating waves, rips and sweeps and learning to understand surf conditions at Peregian Beach.

Sessions are followed by the traditional sausage sizzle “on the green” near the Clubhouse on Market Days, put on by our wonderful volunteers. If you would like to mingle with your fellow Nippers families, bring some spare change, grab a Bacon & Egg burger and kick-back.

This is a great way to meet other families and members of the Club!

How to Join!

We have now finalised our enrolments for Nippers for the 2024/25 season.

Uniform

Nippers are required for safety to wear the appropriate Age-relevant Cap and a Hi-Vis Long-Sleeved Pink Rashie Shirt/ or Hi-Vis Pink Singlet. U13 – U14 Years age groups use the Peregian Competition Lycra Cap at all sessions. This not only encourages a sense of belonging in the children to their age group, but it also makes identification on a busy beach much easier for all Nippers volunteers!

We encourage our members to wear Peregian Beach SLSC swim wear which will be available to purchase from the Club Apparel Pop-Up Shop however it is not compulsory.

For the colder water at the start of the season, a wet-suit or thermal rashie might be a good idea if your Nipper feels the cold. Then just have the Pink Hi-Vis Rashie over the top.

Uniform Pricing

Nipper Age Group Coloured Lycra Cap	$15
Peregian Competition Lycra Cap (U13-U14 Years)	$20
Option 1: Nipper Hi-Vis Pink Singlet	$30
Option 2: Nipper Hi-Vis Pink Long-sleeved Rashie	$45

Age Groups

The age group for the season is determined as of midnight on 30 September. Your Nippers age group is their age at 30th September +1. For example Age 6 at 30th of September then their age group is U/7

Proficiency Requirements

Preliminary proficiency evaluations are a risk management procedure to assess the swimming capabilities of participants and must be done as part of our club’s duty of care. Preliminary evaluations must be successfully completed before your child can participate in any water-based activities.

Completing the Pool Proficiency Evaluation

Every junior member is required to conduct a pool evaluation prior to any junior activities being undertaken. It includes a pool swim and a timed survival float.

A proficiency swim day is included in your Nippers membership.

Held at Coolum Swim Fit Pool participants can have their proficiency swim form signed off by their age group managers.

Please download and take your proficiency form (below) with you to the Pool Proficiency day for assessment.

If you are unable to attend the Club proficiency swim your proficiency form can be signed off by a qualified swimming coach at your local pool.

Please contact the Club for submission of forms: nippers@peregiansurfclub.com.au

DOWNLOAD THE POOL PROFICIENCY FORM

to be completed and returned to the Club

How Can Parents Get Involved??

Peregian Beach Surf Life Saving Club is a volunteer organisation and greatly appreciates the support of parents.

Without parent participation there would be no Nippers! We find that Nippers members get more enjoyment from activities when their whole family gets involved.

An Age Group Manager and Parent Liaison person is appointed to each age group.

For parents and guardians of Nippers there are lots of club activities we would welcome you getting involved in:

Actively helping your Age Group Manager each week
Becoming an Age Group Manager. No experience is necessary, you just need the right attitude. New AGMs are always welcome and we can provide the training
Cooking / helping with the Club BBQ / sausage sizzle on Sunday mornings; we encourage Nippers parents to assist with supporting fundraising efforts for the Club.
Assisting Nippers to correctly put away boards each Sunday in the Clubhouse
Assisting with organising social events for the Nippers and parents
Doing your Surf Rescue Certificate or Bronze Medallion (all members are encouraged to do this important training and the Club supports this as a member benefit included as part of your membership fee), which then allows you to do patrols, help with Water Safety or assist with club activities on Sunday mornings.
If you have a Bronze Medallion, you can do other courses including IRB crew and driver’s license, Advanced First Aid, Spinal Management, Defibrillator operator, as well as Level One Coaching or Officiating Certificate which will enable you to help at Carnivals.
Doing the free Parent Nipper Accreditation Award (NAA) to help on the beach. [Note this course will be released after Surf Life Saving updates the content].

You can volunteer by contacting your child’s Age Group Manager or contact us at nippers@peregiansurfclub.com.au.