Nippers is a junior program that introduces children aged 5 to 13 to surf lifesaving. It’s a fun outdoors activity that increases confidence, while teaching valuable life skills. It is a wonderful way for families to connect with others in the local community.
Nippers is all about learning, confidence and having fun in a safe beach environment. For Nippers, the beach is the classroom. They gain confidence with swimming, body boarding, beach sprints, dolphin-diving, spotting a rip, and having fun with new friends.
The Nippers Season runs from late October to late February each year. We have a break over Christmas and January and finish the season with a presentation and a Nippers camp weekend at Fingal Bay.
To join Nippers, at least one parent is required to join the club as an Associate Member.
For returning members, please log onto the SLS Hub and renew your family group.
For new members Click here to go the Join Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA), select Merewether as your club and register your family group.
Unfortunately we do not accept Active Kids Vouchers.
We have created some how to guides to help with the registration process:
For any issues during registration, please contact our Junior Registrar – juniorsregistrar@merewetherslsc.com.au
There are lots of ways you can get involved at the club and your child will directly benefit from your involvement.
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.
To register your interest for the 2025/26 season, please complete the EOI Assistance form. A current Working with Children Check is required for all parent helpers.
It certainly helps and it is highly recommended that children in Nippers also attend swim lessons.
Your child will need to complete a Preliminary Skills Assessment which includes 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.
All Nipper age groups start at 9am each Sunday and line up behind their groups flag on the sand infront of the surf club. Generally the Under 6,7,8s finish by 10am however the older groups can go longer, depending on conditions and Water Safety availability.
The sooner the kids are signed in the sooner the fun can begin so be standing beside your child in a line behind your Age Group flag as soon as you can.
We use Facebook (Merewether Nippers) for general updates and TeamApp (Instructions) for important and age group focussed communication.
We run pop up shops before the season starts and also for the first few weekends before Nippers starts. Keep your eye on Facebook and TeamApp for dates and times.
The minimum uniform requirements are a club skull cap and rash shirt. We also have wonderful swimmers and other merchandise to let everyone know you are a part of MSLSC.
