NIPPERS @ AVOCA BEACH
NIPPERS start date Sunday 11 October 2026
U8-U14 8AM START
U6-U7 9.30AM START
All nippers from ages U6-U14 need a registered nipper parent member.
NEW MEMBERS: please register a parent first and then register your nipper child.
RENEWALS: please renew a parent and child together in the same transaction.
Avoca Nippers
The Avoca Beach Junior Activities Committee runs Avoca Nippers every Sunday at Avoca Beach during the summer season, from September to March.
Who can join?
Children can join Avoca Nippers from 5 years of age. For the 2026/27 season, children must be 5 years old by 30 September 2026 to participate at Avoca this year.
Each Nipper family must also have at least one Nipper Parent Member.
Younger children begin their Nippers journey by learning about surf awareness and safety through our SurfEd program.
As children get older, they can participate in a range of activities depending on their age and ability, including:
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Board paddling
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Surfing
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Swimming
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Sprinting
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Wading
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Fun activities and games
At Avoca, our focus is on having fun while developing skills, confidence and competence in the surf environment.
Practising these skills helps children become more confident and capable around the water. It also provides opportunities to compete at Club, Regional (Branch) and State life saving carnivals.
Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) also offers junior development camps in every state, as well as the National Junior Surf League and Development Program.
Nipper Uniform
For Nippers, the only compulsory uniform items are a club Nipper cap and a pink rashie.
All other uniform items are optional. Additional uniform items can be purchased online for families who would like them.
We will advertise the Nipper uniform shop opening times on our social media channels over the course of the season, so please keep an eye on our socials for updates.
Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC)
Most senior Nippers can work towards their Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC). Children can begin working towards this award from 13 years of age, helping prepare them for future active patrolling duties with Avoca Beach SLSC.
The SRC provides training in:
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Rescue skills
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First aid and patient management
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Resuscitation
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Surf safety and awareness
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Theoretical knowledge
Questions and communication
For Nipper-related questions that aren't answered in the information below, please email nippers@avocabeachslsc.asn.au.
For membership-related enquiries, please visit our How to Join page or email hello@avocabeachslsc.asn.au.
Once you have joined Avoca Nippers, please follow us on socials to stay up to date with important notifications, announcements and information throughout the season. Your Age Manager can provide a WhatsApp link for your join your age group chat.
Age groups for 2026/27 season
Listed below are the age groups that junior members will be in for the 2026/27 season if they are born between the following dates:
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U6* 1st October 2020 to 30th September 2021
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U7 1st October 2019 to 30th September 2020
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U8 1st October 2018 to 30th September 2019
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U9 1st October 2017 to 30th September 2018
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U10 1st October 2016 to 30th September 2017
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U11 1st October 2015 to 30th September 2016
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U12 1st October 2014 to 30th September 2015
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U13 1st October 2013 to 30th September 2014
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U14 1st October 2012 to 30th September 2013
*Note: Children must have reached 5 years before they can be registered. If they turn 5 after the season commences, they will need to wait until the following season to join at Avoca.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
Our google doc is regularly updated with all the information you need for the current Nippers season, or check out our FAQs at the bottom of the page.
Nippers Program calendar
Please note as this is a live calendar, once printed it may no longer be current.
FAQs
HOW OLD DOES MY CHILD NEED TO BE TO JOIN NIPPERS? Your child needs to have turned 5 by 30th September. As we are a large club, any child turning 5 after this date will not be eligible to join our nippers program until the following season.
DOES MY CHILD CHANGE AGE GROUPS IF THEIR BIRTHDAY IS DURING A SEASON? No. The age group that your child will be in for the whole season is determined by the age they are as at the 30th September the year you are joining. For example, if your child was 11 on the 30th September (turning 12 on the 5th Oct) they will be in the Under 12 age group (even though they are 12).
DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO BE ABLE TO SWIM TO JOIN? It certainly helps. Your child will need to complete a Preliminary Skills Assessment including a swim and a float which clubs will conduct either at the beach or in a pool environment. This is carried out before participating in any junior activity to assess their swimming and self-survival ability in the water. This will determine whether they can progress to the water based junior activities under normal water safety supervision or they will require closer supervision.
WHAT WATER SAFETY MEASURES ARE IN PLACE FOR NIPPERS? A Water Safety Supervisor (WSS) is appointed for all water-based activities. The WSS conducts a risk assessment at the start of each session, and monitors conditions throughout – activities are adapted and can be cancelled in hazardous situations. Water Safety Personnel (WSP) are qualified and proficient lifesavers who provide surveillance and assistance in the water if required with lifesaving equipment. You will see them on the beach in their orange high-visibility cap and rash shirt stating ‘Water Safety’ on the front and back for easy identification.
WHAT DOES MY CHILD NEED TO WEAR/BRING TO NIPPERS? Swimmers, club cap, long sleeve t-shirt or rash vest, a sun hat, towel, water, snack and sunscreen. Our uniform shop sells the majority of items you need and is open on Sundays for nipper purchases.
WHAT AND WHO ARE AGE MANAGERS? An Age Manager is a member of the club who takes responsibility for the instruction of an age group throughout the season. All Age Managers are trained and hold a current Working with Children Checks (WWCC) as required in line with state legislation. If you are interested in helping with the delivery of Nippers and becoming an Age Manager or (or maybe even becoming a surf lifesaver yourself!), speak to us – we love our parents getting involved!
WHAT AGE GROUP WILL MY CHILD BE IN? The age group that your child will be in is determined by the age they are as at the 30th September the year you are joining. For example, if your child was 11 on the 30th September (turning 12 on the 5th Oct) they will be in the Under 12 age group (even though they are 12).
FOR MY CHILD TO JOIN, DOES A PARENT/CARER NEED TO BE A MEMBER? Yes, we ask that a parent join and remain a member for the duration of nippers.
IS THIS A "LEARN TO SWIM" PROGRAM? No, Surf Life Saving does not provide specific learn to swim training or stroke correction. This is strongly encouraged to be taken up externally. However, your child will benefit enormously and increase their confidence through exposure to water-based activities including swimming and board paddling.
WHAT DO U6 AND U7 MEMBERS DO DURING NIPPERS? The U6 and U7 Surf Play program is all about fun, participation and building confidence. The lesson plans consist of surf education, personal safety, running and flags, swimming, wading, and lots of other fun games and activities!
WHAT ARE THE END OF SEASON JUNIOR AWARDS? Each age group has an award which is achieved by participation throughout the season. The award celebrates the new skills and knowledge which have been learnt. Your child will need to attend and participate in all the compulsory sessions to attain the award. Award certificates may be emailed to you by your club
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP? There are lots of ways you can get involved at the club. If becoming an Age Manager or surf lifesaver is not for you, there are plenty of other tasks that will need completing at your club! Perhaps you could help with training, coaching, officiating, fundraising or cooking the Club BBQ? All parents who get involved must become a member of their club.
WILL YOU ACCEPT ACTIVE KIDS VOUCHERS? Yes, we do. The process for Active Kids Vouchers has changed and the vouchers are now means tested. You will need to pay online and we need to manually process your voucher before your membership can be approved. Please get in touch with office@avocabeachslsc.asn.au for more information.