Nippers
Nippers is a fun and engaging beach education program for children aged 5 to 13 years, introducing them to surf lifesaving and beach safety in the unique coastal environment we enjoy at Mordialloc. Click here to view the DOB Age group table.
Our Nipper program runs throughout the summer season, on Sunday mornings from 10.15am – 11.45am, typically from November to March, and is designed to be inclusive and welcoming for children of all abilities and experience levels. Whether your child is stepping onto the beach for the first time or already loves the surf, there is a place for them at MLSC.
Through a combination of games, beach activities, water skills and surf education, children develop confidence, resilience and teamwork while learning valuable surf safety skills that may one day help them become future lifesavers. Most importantly, we want every child to have fun, feel included and enjoy being part of our club and community.
Activities are designed to progressively build skills and knowledge as children move through each age group, recognising that every child develops and learns at their own pace. Our focus is on creating positive experiences that help children grow in confidence while enjoying the beach in a safe and supportive environment.
Nippers is for the Whole Family
One of the things that makes surf lifesaving special is that it is a family activity. Our Nipper program is not just for the children – it is an opportunity for parents, carers and guardians to become part of the MLSC community as well.
Many parents choose to get involved by assisting with activities, supporting water safety, becoming Age Managers, helping at competitions, and even completing their own qualifications such as the Bronze Medallion.
Whether you can help regularly or occasionally, every contribution makes a difference and helps create a great experience for all of our young members.
Surf Education Awards and skills assessments
Water safety is a key part of the Nipper program.
To ensure all participants can safely enjoy water-based activities, Surf Life Saving Australia requires every Nipper to complete a Preliminary Skills Assessment appropriate to their age group before participating in water activities. This assessment can be completed in a pool or ocean environment and may be signed off by your child’s swimming teacher before the season begins.
Children wishing to participate in competition activities will also need to complete a Competition Skills Evaluation during the season. These assessments help ensure every child is participating at a level that is safe and appropriate for their ability. Click here to view the Evaluation skills table
Parental and carer Involvement
MLSC is proudly volunteer-driven, and our Nipper program thrives because of the incredible support of parents and carers.
We encourage families to get involved and share the Nipper journey with their children. Whether it’s assisting with activities, supporting water safety, helping at carnivals, setting up equipment or cooking a post-session BBQ, every helping hand contributes to a stronger club and a better experience for our Nippers.
To ensure the program continues to grow and succeed, we ask all families to contribute in some way throughout the season. Full training and support are provided for all volunteer roles, and no prior experience is necessary.
Many parents tell us that volunteering has been one of the most rewarding parts of joining the club, providing an opportunity to meet new people, learn new skills and be actively involved in their child’s sporting journey.
To get involved please contact:
All parents are expected to help when their child’s age group is rostered on for duties. Duties may include, activity beach set up, pack up and most importantly cooking the BBQ to feed all our hungry nippers after a session.
Working With Children Checks
To help maintain a safe environment for all children, ALL parents and volunteers who are involved in club activities are required to hold a current Working with Children’s Check. If you already hold a Working With Children Check, simply provide the details during registration and they will be linked to your membership or email [email protected].
Nipper Competitions
Competition is a fun and exciting part of surf lifesaving and provides children with opportunities to challenge themselves, build confidence and enjoy being part of a team.
Nippers are welcome to participate in a range of events, including:
- Intra-club competitions
- Local carnivals
- Life Saving Victoria carnivals
- SLSA carnivals
Beyond competition itself, carnivals are a wonderful opportunity for families to connect with other clubs and experience the broader surf lifesaving community.
Additional Training Opportunities
One of the huge benefits of membership at MLSC, is that it provides access to training and club facilities throughout the year – at no additional cost
Our training programs are designed to support participants of all ages and abilities, from Nippers through to Masters competitors, with a focus on:
- Building friendships and connections within the club
- Developing surf and fitness skills
- Supporting individual growth and development
- Encouraging enjoyment, participation and lifelong involvement in surf lifesaving
For our Nipper program, we are proud to deliver both surf (swim, boards and irons) and beach training throughout the season. Sessions are run throughout the week and are led by our dedicated specialist coaches.
Parents are asked to support our training program, by being available to help with Water Safety if required. We are required to have a specified number of Water safety Officers in the water to enable training to proceed. Click here for water safety course info.
At MLSC, Nippers is about much more than beach activities and competition. It is about building confidence, creating lifelong friendships, developing valuable life skills and becoming part of a welcoming community that families can enjoy together for years to come.
For more information, please contact [email protected]