Starfish Nippers is a modified, structured version of Nippers, open to all abilities, that runs alongside our regular Nippers program. It’s built around beach and water safety, and around making sure every kid feels included.
Starfish Nippers started in 2011 with a group of volunteers at Anglesea SLSC. Today, over 30 surf and bayside lifesaving clubs across Australia run it. Portsea SLSC is proud to host it again this year.
It’s designed for young people aged 6 and up living with a disability, physical, psychological, or intellectual, including learning difficulties. The program flexes to suit each participant, so everyone can take part.
WHAT’S THE BENEFIT?
Clubs that run this program consistently see real impact, for the kids, their families, and the club as a whole.
For Starfish participants: a genuine sense of belonging. Many have spent years watching from the sidelines while siblings took part in Nippers, now they’re in it too, learning from great role models, building water safety knowledge, swimming and board skills, fitness, and coordination. Just as importantly, they build confidence and friendships with their peers.
For families: the chance for every child in the family to be part of the club’s Nippers program, and the chance to connect with other families navigating similar challenges.
For our volunteer mentors: a genuinely rewarding experience. Mentors build a deeper understanding of disability, develop real leadership skills, and walk away knowing they’ve made a difference. Each Starfish participant is matched with a mentor for the whole program, starting with a get-to-know-you meeting between the mentor, the family, and the child.
For our regular Nippers: the chance to learn what inclusion really looks like, by sharing a session with Starfish Nippers and stepping into a role model role themselves.
For the club: a chance to live out what inclusion actually means, and to connect more deeply with our wider community.
WHEN AND WHERE?
Starfish Nippers runs alongside the main Portsea SLSC Nippers program.
Location: Point Nepean Quarantine Station (disability access enabled)
Session times: 9:30am to 11:00am
Dates: 27 December 2026, 29 December 2026, 31 December 2026, 2 January 2027, 4 January 2027, 6 January 2027
Program capacity: 15
You’ll do modified beach and water activities: games, running, signals, beach flags, wading, swimming, and board work.
ELIGIBILITY
Starfish Nippers is open to young people aged 6 to 18 living with a disability, physical, psychological, intellectual, or a learning difficulty. A parent or carer needs to stay close to the group on the beach throughout the session, in case of a medical or behavioural need.
COSTS
$95 per participant
Hardship subsidies are available for eligible families. Our principal Nippers sponsor, United Energy, also funds three years of club membership for families who join Portsea SLSC specifically to register a child in Starfish Nippers.
ENQUIRIES
Our program coordinators, Alexandra Madden and Molly Tozer, are happy to help with questions about becoming a sponsor, joining as a Starfish participant, or volunteering as a mentor.
For more information: starfish@portseasurf.com.au
FAQS
Yes, 15. Safety is the main reason, smaller numbers mean better supervision and support for every child.
1:1 at minimum, 2:1 when needed.
All mentors are volunteer club members aged 16 and over. Most hold their Bronze Medallion, or at least their SRC. Experience with disability isn’t required, but every mentor completes an induction program and holds a current Working with Children Check.
We ask about any medical, social, or communication needs so we can keep your child as safe as possible and tailor the program to suit them. It’s important to let us know if anything changes. This information stays with the Program Coordinator in a folder kept on the beach during sessions.
Entirely by volunteers, we receive no government funding directly, though we’ve had support through SLSA, our sponsors, and the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council.