Joining Nippers as a new member can be daunting, and there is a lot of information to take in. For this reason we have compiled a list of the most commonly asked questions which we hope will help cover any queries you might have. We hope we have covered everything on this page and with the Nipper section of this website but if you cannot find an answer to your questions please feel free to contact us direct. Details are at the bottom of this page.
How do I register?
You can come down to the club in person on Saturday September 7th, from 8am-1.30pm at North Curl Curl Surf Life Saving Club. Alternatively check out the other ways to register HERE
Do I have to become a club member in order to register my child?
Yes. One parent has to become a member alongside their child/children. All fees and membership categories can be found HERE
What does my child have to wear for Nippers?
We have a uniform shop which sells club swimmers, hats, rashies and many other items but the only compulsory items are the hat and the pink hi-vis vest enabling the Nippers to be spotted easily in the water and on the beach fr their safety. The uniform shop will be selling all these items on Registration Day and will be open most Sundays during Nippers. For more information, head over to our Uniform Page Here.
What time does Nippers start each week?
A typical Nippers Sunday runs as follows:
- 9-9.30 – Sign in for U6 and U7
- 9.30-11am – Nipper activities all ages
How much does it cost to join?
All fees and membership categories can be found HERE
What happens in bad weather/conditions?
Keep an eye on our FaceBook page and TeamApp notifications in cases of bad weather. If the beach is closed, but the weather is favourable we still run Nippers on the sand without the water activities. Check out our Communication page on how to keep up to date with all announcements and notifications.
Who runs Nippers?
Nippers is run by a team of volunteers headed up by Hodgie, our Director of Junior Activities. He is supported by an amazing group of highly capable and experienced Age Managers and volunteer parents. Nippers would not be possible to run without these people and they rely heavily on parents putting their hands up to help out each Sunday. One parent must be present for their children on the beach during the session, and whilst we understand that this can be difficult when siblings and infants are present, there still should be plenty of parents around to help out. Any help is good help so PLEASE seek out your Age Manager, let them know who you are and that you can support them. The more of you that do this the more fun it is for the kids, and the smoother the session will run. There are many jobs to be done at Nippers and the kids enjoy seeing their parents get involved, so please don’t be scared to put your hand up….“You only get out of it what you put into it”.
My child is scared of the water – can they still join in at Nippers?
Absolutely! The whole goal of Nippers is to help children gain confidence on the beach and in the water and we are here to help this happen. The Nipper movement is about induction, education, awareness, competition, sportsmanship, transition (to Cadets and Seniors’) but MOST importantly it is about participation and fun for Parents and your Children. Nipper activities are aimed at teaching your children the basics of surf awareness and water safety. Please talk to your Age Manager about any concerns you have and we will door best to accommodate your child. They do not have to enter the water if they do not want to, but we aim to encourage and grow their confidence in this area as required.
My child has a disability – how can they still get involved in the Nipper Program?
North Curl Curl SLSC has introduced a Special Needs Nippers program for children from U5 – U14 called Ripper Nippers. The modified program runs right before our normal Nippers program from 8am to 10am on a Sunday and is all about the children having fun in a safe environment, learning new social skills and integrating with the broader community outside of their existing circle of friends, family and carers. For more information about this program please see our Ripper Nippers page.
My child is keen on extra training sessions in the week. How can I find out more?
As part of your membership, there is the option to join a 6 week introductory course on the boards (for U9s and other beginners). This takes place at 8am each Sunday for the first 6 weeks of the season before the Nippers session and is free and voluntary. For more information see our Beach and Water Training Page. Anyone undertaking this course must have completed their Preliminary Swim Evaluation.
My child is keen to compete in Carnivals. How do they sign up?
There are many opportunities to compete in carnivals throughout the season and other competitions. Your Age Manager will be able to advise you. For more information ses our Carnival page.
How can I help out on the beach?
Any help is good help so PLEASE seek out your Age Manager, let them know who you are and that you can support them. The more of you that do this the more fun it is for the kids, and the smoother the session will run. There are many jobs to be done at Nippers fro helping organise kids, keep them interested, help them have fun, assist them in the water, help move them to each location for the various activities and more! The kids enjoy seeing their parents get involved, so please don’t be scared to put your hand up! For more information see our How You Can Help page.
How do I keep up to date with the Surf Club news?
It is important for Parents to have TeamApp installed as any last-minute changes or updates to Nippers, Carnivals or training sessions will be communicated via this medium. Further details on TeamApp will be given to you once registered.
Communication to Parents is via Surfguard (central emails will be sent to your registered email address) covering club news, notices, events and reminders and Smartphone App (TeamApp). Surfguard is the SLS Membership database and emails will be sent from this address ‘no-reply@surfguard.slsa.asn.au’. It is used for blanket communication to all registered members.
Finally FaceBook and Instagram are updated regularly with news and announcements. Check out our Communication page on how to keep up to date with all announcements and notifications.
Can I help out on water safety when my child is doing water activities?
We welcome ALL parents to get involved at helping out during the sessions both in the water and on the beach. However in order to assist in water safety on a surf rescue board, you need to wear a water safety vest and this requires you to have completed your Bronze Medallion course. Other then that we would LOVE for you to help out in all the activities whether that be the flags races, beach sprints, beach wades (for the U6 and U7’s) and ocean swims (U8 and over). To find out more talk to your Age Manager and check out our How You Can Help page.
Can I drop my child on the beach and collect them after the session?
Absolutely not!! This is not a baby sitting service, but about participation and fun for Parents and your Children. The safety of the children on the beach is of paramount importance and we need parents to be present to help out and enjoy the fun. The more of you that do this the more fun it is for the kids, and the smoother the sessions will run. There are many jobs to be done at Nippers and the kids enjoy seeing their parents get involved, so please put your hand up….“You only get out of it what you put into it”. Check out our How You Can Help page.
Can I have a go at the water and beach events?
YES! Throughout the season, we run a fortnightly Senior Beach Event on Sundays which starts at 11am after Nippers. These events include an ocean swim, board paddle, beach sprint and flags races and are open to all club members 13 years of age and over. No experience or expertise necessary just come along to join in, meet fellow members and enjoy some friendly competition (and you can do as many or few of the events as you like!)
Furthermore, each patrolling member who participates scores a point for his/her patrol team for each event in which he/she enters, with these cumulative points going towards determining the Champion Surf Sports Patrol Team for the 2018/2019 season.
We will announce the days and details on our weekly mail outs and FaceBook page during the season.
Who do I contact if I have a question regarding the Sunday Nippers sessions?
Please feel free to email Hodgie Hodge, our JAC Director on nippers@nccslsc.com.au. Check out ‘Hodgie Bits’ on our website for a look back over the past few months of last season’s Nippers.
How can I find out more information?
Please use the drop down Nippers menu above to find out everything you need to know about the Nippers program. In addition, each week we send out a weekly newsletter containing notices, announcements and reminders to all our members and these will also be posted to our FaceBook page regularly. For all Nippers and their families there is TeamApp which has all up to date Nippers related news, announcements and alerts. We will also be publishing a Monthly ‘Curly Chatter’ Newsletter covering all Club News.
I cannot find the answer to my question – who can I ask?
Please email assistant@nccslsc.com.au and we will try and answer your query as soon as we can.