Nippers is where it all starts. It’s a beach education program for kids aged 6 to 12, built around fun, safety, and the first steps toward becoming a future lifesaver.
Every session is designed to suit a range of experience and skill levels, with activities that build progressively as kids move through each age group. Lessons are simple enough that any of our Age Managers can run them, regardless of their own experience.
When you register your child for Nippers, you’re agreeing to the SLSA Membership Declaration, which confirms you’re responsible for your child’s safety and supervision, and that you understand the inherent risks of surf lifesaving activities.
Looking for something more inclusive? See our Starfish Nippers program, which runs alongside Nippers for kids with disabilities. Interested in junior competition?
PROGRAM DATES
THE 2026-27 NIPPER PROGRAM DATES ARE:
- Sunday 6 December 2026 – Accreditation swim (Sandridge LSC)
- Sunday 27 December 2026 – U7 to U9 Session 1; U10 to U13 skills session
- Tuesday 29 December 2026 – Session 2
- Thursday 31 December 2026 – Session 3
- Saturday 2 January 2027 – Session 4
- Sunday 3 January 2027 – Nippers Disco
- Monday 4 January 2027 – Session 5 and Nipper Parent Cocktail Party
- Wednesday 6 January 2027 – Session 6 and U13 farewell BBQ
- Friday 8 January 2027 – Competition Day and Nipper Helper drinks
SESSION START TIMES
To avoid overcrowding on the beach exits, start times are staggered by age group:
- 9:15am – Under 7 (Quarantine) and Under 10 (Back Beach)
- 9:30am – Under 8 (Quarantine) and Under 11 (Back Beach)
- 9:45am – Under 9 (Quarantine) and Under 12 (Back Beach)
- 10:00am — Under 13 (Back Beach)
Sessions run for 2 hours, except Under 7s, which run for 90 minutes.
Arrive dressed and ready to go, and follow all entry and exit signage. Sign in as soon as you arrive, then head straight to your age group area.
REGISTRATION DATES AND PROCESS
Registration for children who participated in the 2025/26 Nippers program opens on 8 September 2026. General registration, including the U7 age group, opens on 15 September 2026.
IMPORTANT: JOINING AS A MEMBER DOES NOT GUARANTEE YOUR CHILD A PLACE IN NIPPERS. The program is heavily oversubscribed every year and fills fast, sometimes within hours of general registration opening. If securing a Nippers spot is your reason for joining Portsea SLSC, be ready to register the moment general registration opens. We strongly recommend joining as a member before registration opens so you’re not scrambling to do both at once.
To register your child for Nippers, your family must hold an active family membership with Portsea SLSC. Children cannot participate in any education program, including Nippers, Portsea Surf Academy, or SRC, without this.
ELIGIBILITY
To take part in Nippers, your child must:
- Be part of a family holding an active Portsea SLSC family membership (children cannot participate in Nippers or any other education program without this)
- Be aged 6 to 12 (age groups are set by your child’s age as of 30 September each season)
- Complete the accreditation swim (see below)
ACCREDITATION SWIM
The accreditation swim is compulsory for every age group, U7 to U13. It lets our water safety team check your child’s ability before they join water-based activities. If they don’t pass, they can still take part in beach-based activities, but not water-based ones.
Once they pass, they get a coloured wristband, which must be worn every day of the program. No wristband, no water-based activities, no exceptions.
The swim runs on one day only: Sunday 6 December 2026, 8am to 12pm, at Sandridge LSC, 240 The Boulevard, Port Melbourne. No accreditation swim sessions will run during the Nippers program itself.
If your child can’t attend, a swim school teacher can sign off on the requirements using the accreditation form. The completed form must be emailed to nippers@portseasurf.com.au by 11 December 2026.
WHAT'S INVOLVED
| Age Group | Requirement |
|---|---|
| U7 | 3m glide and a 30 second float (on back) |
| U8 & U9 | 25m swim, 1 minute float |
| U10 | 25m swim, 1.5 minute float |
| U11 | 50m swim, 2 minute float |
| U12 | 100m swim, 2 minute float |
| U13 | 150m swim, 3 minute float |
ACCREDITATION SWIM TIMES
The accreditation swim is conducted in the following groups according to surname. Please arrive during your allocated time.
| Time | Group |
|---|---|
| 8:00 – 8:45am | Surnames starting with A-I |
| 8:50 – 9:35am | Surnames starting with J-R |
| 9:40 – 10:25am | Surnames starting with S-Z |
| 10:30 – 11:15am | Age Manager and Helpers’ children |
| 11:20am – 12:00pm | Age Manager and Helpers’ training |
FEES
Nippers costs $200 per paticipant.
You can apply for a refund if you withdraw before a set date ahead of the program (check current season’s cutoff). Once the program has started, no refunds are given.
ENQUIRIES
For general Nippers enquiries: nippers@portseasurf.com.au
Interested in volunteering as an Age Manager, Parent Helper, First Aid, or with beach set-up? nippers@portseasurf.com.au
WHAT THEY’LL LEARN
Nippers builds the foundations of surf awareness and water safety, progressively, through each age group. Kids develop:
- Confidence and comfort in the surf
- Basic water safety awareness
- Swimming and board skills suited to their age and ability
It’s also the natural first step toward SRC and eventually, a Bronze Medallion.
STAY CONNECTED
All Nippers communications, updates, and seasonal notices are shared via the Stack Team App. Download the app and join the Portsea SLSC Nippers group to stay up to date throughout the season.
FAQS
Yes. Your family must hold an active Portsea SLSC family membership for your child to participate in Nippers or any of our other education programs (Portsea Surf Academy, SRC, and so on).
No. Membership is required but does not guarantee a place. The program fills very quickly, sometimes within hours of general registration opening. Becoming a member early is important, but you also need to be ready to register the moment registration opens.
$200 per participant.
Age groups are set by your child’s age as of 30 September each season. For example, if they’re 10 on that date, they’ll be in the U11 group.
Yes, for every age group from U7 to U13.
The swim runs on one day only: Sunday 6 December 2026, 8am to 12pm, at Sandridge LSC. No accreditation swim sessions will run during the program. If you can’t attend, a swim school teacher can sign off on the requirements using the accreditation form, emailed to nippers@portseasurf.com.au by 11 December 2026.
No. You get your Nippers bag when you have successfully completed the accreditation swim.
Yes. Your child’s swim school teacher can complete the accreditation form, which must be emailed to nippers@portseasurf.com.au by 11 December 2026.
A rashie, a bucket hat, and goggles.
Portsea SLSC swimming togs (available from Swimwear Galore in Sorrento, or jammers from the Portsea SLSC shop). If your child wears a wetsuit, the Portsea rashie from their Nipper pack must go on top of it.
You can apply for a refund if you withdraw before the season’s cutoff date (check current season details). Once the program has started, no refunds are given.
SPONSORS
- Platinum Sponsor (Nippers)
- Gold Sponsors (Nippers)
- Silver Sponsors (Nippers)
- Bronze Sponsors (Nippers)
- Event Partners (Nippers)
