Nippers

Our Nippers program is the heart of Emu Park Surf Life Saving Club.

 Running every Sunday morning during the patrol season, Nippers is all about helping kids stay safe at the beach while having fun, making friends, and building confidence in the surf.

Each week, our qualified volunteers run sessions filled with age-appropriate activities that focus on surf awareness, beach and water safety, basic rescue techniques, physical fitness, and most importantly—teamwork and fun.

Whether your child is brand new to the beach or already confident in the surf, Nippers is a great way to learn essential life skills and become part of the surf lifesaving community.

Age Groups

Nippers is open to children aged 5 to 13 years (Under 6 to Under 14 age groups). Children must be at least 5 years old as of 30 September to join.

What to Bring

  • Towel
  • Water bottle
  • Sunscreen (applied before arrival)
  • Nipper cap and pink high-vis rashie (required for water activities)
  • Nipper Suit (this is a compulsory requirement)

Session Time
Sunday mornings
9am to 11am (be there by 8.30am/8.45am to start)

Nipper families help out each week with allocated duties such as setting up, canteen roster – look out for more information each week on this via the facebook page

Who Can Compete at Carnivals?

While all Nippers enjoy skill-building and fun on the beach, some age groups also have the opportunity to compete at local and state events.

  • Under 6 & Under 7 – These groups are non-competitive and focus on participation and enjoyment during Sunday morning sessions.

  • Under 8 to Under 14 – Eligible to compete at local 4-point carnivals and the Wide Bay Capricorn Branch carnival.

  • Under 11 and up – May also be selected to compete at the North Australian Championships and the State Junior Championships.

There are both individual and team events, held on the beach and in the surf, including sprints, flags, wading, swimming, boards, and relays. Competition is a fun way to develop skills, build confidence, and make lasting friendships with other Nippers from across the region.

Sign on Days

Each Season the Nipper Sign on Days will be in August & September – look out for the dates on our Facebook Page.

Nippers commences the middle September.

We will hold two Come and Try Days and Sign On’s once the season starts

Each Season Nippers are required to complete a Nipper Pool Evaluation before they engage in Nipper Activities. Dates will be posted on our Facebook Page.

If you are attending a Nipper Sign On Day, all new members will need to bring a copy of your Child’s Birth Certificate or Passport and swimmers for the pool swim assessment, as our Club ensures that your Child meets the minimum Surf Life Saving requirements in this respect.

Nipper Carnival Events and Information

Board / Swim Race

Board Race and Surf (Swim) Races are staple events of surf carnivals. For competitors in U9 and above, the race begins on the beach, with participants swimming or paddling around a series of swim cans before returning to shore. Both individual and team variations are offered.

Team events include:

  • Board Relay – three paddlers completing consecutive legs.

  • Board Rescue – one swimmer and one board paddler, with the paddler collecting the swimmer from the water.

  • Swim Teams – total points scored by four swimmers competing in the same race.

Iron Race

The Iron Race is considered one of the toughest events, where an individual completes both a swim and a board leg around a set of cans. Upon returning to shore after the first leg, competitors run around a set of flags before starting the second leg. The race finishes with a sprint around two flags. The team variation, known as the Cameron Relay, involves four competitors, each completing one leg of the course in relay format.

Beach Events

There are two types of individual beach events: Sprints and Flags.
Sprints involve a 70–90 metre dash (distance varies by age group) across soft sand.
Flags is a knockout event where competitors start lying on their stomachs, facing away from a row of flags placed in the sand. At the whistle, they turn and spring to their feet and race to grab a flag – with one fewer flag than competitors each round.

Team beach events include the Sprint Relay and the All Age Relay, in which one runner from each age group competes as part of a single large relay team.

Pool Rescue

Pool Rescue is a fun off-season (winter) competition featuring a mix of individual and team events. These include the tube tow, underwater obstacle course, and a variety of relay races.

View more information about Pool Rescue here.

SLSA March Past


Step back in time with one of surf lifesaving’s most traditional events. In the March Past, a team of 12 members march in formation around a set course to music, proudly showcasing our Emu Park club colours. This historic event was originally developed by returned servicemen and once formed a compulsory part of carnival competition. Teams are usually dressed in club uniform, with one member carrying the iconic surf reel. No high fitness level is needed – it’s all about the three T’s – technique, timing and teamwork!

Training

EPLSLC is extremely fortunate to have an incredible group of volunteers who dedicate countless hours to help our nippers grow, improve, and have fun. Below is a quick guide to the training available. For details on training times and locations, check the Facebook Page.

U8–U13 Surf Squad Training – “Tiny Teddies”

Open to everyone, Tiny Teddies focuses on building skills and competitiveness across all levels of experience.
What You Need: Club nipper suit, goggles, pink high-vis rash vest, and a nipper board (Don’t have a board? Scroll down for more info!).

Beach Squad Training – Coming Soon…..

A fantastic opportunity for nippers of all ages to sharpen their sprint and flag techniques, boost their fitness, and have a great time on the sand.
What You Need: Sun shirt for sun safety.

Pool Rescue Training

Keep an eye on the Facebook Page for training updates and times.
What You Need: Togs, goggles, and flippers. 

March Past

Check the Facebook Page for session times.
What You Need: Sun shirt for protection and a nipper cap.

Other Information

How to Sign Up for Carnivals

To compete at a carnival, simply add your name to the whiteboard in the Clubhouse or let your Age Manager know. Nominations must be submitted before the closing date for each carnival as late entries cannot be accepted. This gives our volunteer Age and Team Managers time to organise teams, process entries, and upload them to the carnival database. Dates and information for carnivals are published on the SLS website, club newsletters, Team App and Facebook Page.

Costs

Carnival entry fees are set by the branch before each event and usually range from no cost to $30 per individual event.

Getting a Board / Using a Club Board

Fibreglass and foam nipper boards are available from the club for both training and competition. Before a carnival, arrange board use with your Age Manager and help load it onto the gear trailer. If you borrow club equipment, please wash it after use and return it to the gear shed. If you have your own board, you may store it in the gear shed – space permitting.

Get Involved

Parents and carers are encouraged to get involved—whether it’s helping on the beach, assisting with water safety (if qualified), or supporting club activities. Nippers is a family program, and we love seeing our community come together.

To get involved email at secretary@emuparkslsc.com.au

Water Safety

  •  Help Out at Sunday Nipper in the water (bright orange rashie) to ensure children’s safety. Get Involved in encouraging nippers and help run activities.
  •  Help out at Carnivals in the Water (Mostly General Supervision) which is vital to allow Emu Park nippers to compete.
  •  Water Safety at training to provide the safety needed
  •  Watersafety hours on Sunday nippers count as patrolling hours.
  •  Requires you to have your Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC) or Bronze Medallion.

For nippers to safely participate in surf activities, we need at least one water safety volunteer for every five nippers. On Sundays, water safety volunteers support nippers by using equipment such as boards and tubes to assist with activities and help those needing extra skills. They provide encouragement, oversee safety in the water, and help run the rotational roster of nipper events.

At carnivals, Emu Park must supply a required number of water safety personnel to ensure our competitors can take part. Water safety volunteers play a vital role by supervising races in the water and assisting any nippers who may struggle back to shore.

Age Managers

  •  Help out at Sunday nipper’s by leading an age group through their rosters and being a mentor throughout the season and their nipper journey.
  •  Are an important support system at carnivals.
  •  Requires you to have completed an Age Managers Course & have a Blue Card.

Age Managers are essential to the success of our nipper program. Usually, each age group has at least two dedicated Age Managers who guide nippers through training programs, new skills development and carnivals. Beyond coaching, Age Managers serve as important mentors, helping to create strong, family-like bonds within each age group that grow season after season.

Officials

  •  Play a vital role in allowing carnivals to run and allowing Emu Park Nippers to compete at carnivals
  • Are the working force behind carnivals; they marshal competitors for race’s, count places, organising race courses, ensure fair play.
  •  Officialing hours are logged to keep the qualification
  •  Requires you to have undertaken an Officiating Course & have a Blue Card
  • More information is on the Training and Education page

 

Officials are the backbone of our competitions, and there are many roles within this important category. You are up close with the action on the beach either stacking and counting placings, marshalling competitors or organising courses and starting events.

There are plenty of pathways to specialise further. Officials play a vital role because our nippers cannot compete at carnivals unless we provide the required number of officials per competitor.

Other Helpful Ways

Help Out with the Canteen and BBQ or Set Up and Pack Up

Each week, a different age group’s parents are rostered to cook the sausage sizzle, serve burgers, set-up equipment or when nippers finishes, help wash the sand off and pack away.  Lending a hand makes a big difference and helps keep things running smoothly for everyone.

Clothing and Merch

Assist with selling nipper suits and merchandise each week and the behind the scenes of  ordering and stocktaking club apparel.

Fundraising

Keep an eye on the newsletter and Facebook Page to see how you can help us fundraise money to purchase equipment for our nipper program.

Become a Board Member

There are a number of board positions, if you are interested in the running of nippers at a strategic level, one of the various roles may suit you.

Nippers Handbook
Nippers Resources