Registration of this years Nipper program is now CLOSED.
All families who wish to participate in the Nipper program at Fairhaven need to pay a family membership fee prior to registering their children for Nippers. This fee covers the cost of any children in that nuclear family participating in Nippers (there is no surplus “per head” fee).
Family membership is restricted to 1-2 adult members and their children aged between 5 and 17 years. Anyone purchasing a family membership please note that this does not guarantee Nippers enrolment. You must enrol for Nippers between 1st October and 31st October using your membership receipt number showing appropriate fee payment. Family Membership does not include U14 SRC course fee.
Season dates are as outlined below, some aspects still TBC & may be subject to minor changes but start & end dates are set at this time, to assist families making holiday plans.
Please contact Kirstin Charlesworth at [email protected] with any queries.
| Monday, 25 December | Christmas Day |
| Tuesday, 26 December | Boxing Day |
| Wednesday, 27 December | Session 1 |
| Thursday, 28 December | Session 2 |
| Friday, 29 December | Session 3 |
| Saturday, 30 December | Session 4 |
| Sunday, 31 December | Rest Day |
| Monday, 1 January | Door Knock |
| Tuesday, 2 January | Lorne Shield, Nipper Disco and Open Mic |
| Wednesday, 3 January | Session 5 |
| Thursday, 4 January | Club Champs |
| Friday, 5 January | Cosy Corner |
| Saturday, 6 January | Session 6 |
| Sunday, 7 January | Tim Gates Classic Fun Run |
The Fairhaven SLSC Nippers has a proud history of teaching children how to have fun & keep safe on the beach since the summer of 1972/73.
The program is designed for children aged 5-14 & aims to teach them to be aware of important beach hazards (such as rips), as well as helping them to develop surf swimming & boarding skills. It also provides a terrific opportunity for physical activity, social interaction with peers & to improve awareness regarding environmental issues affecting our beaches & waterways. As Nippers move through the program they also acquire basic first aid & resuscitation skills. To enrol in our youngest age category, “Mozzies”, children must be 5 years old by September 30 in the year that they start. For details regarding age group cut off see Age Groups.
Nippers have the opportunity to compete in Competitions & Carnivals, both during the summer months & beyond (for more information see Nipper Competitions). The competition calendar culminates in the Victorian State Championships hosted by various SLSC’s state-wide. Children wishing to compete at these events are required to do a “Competition Competency Assessment” during the main Nipper program (which has replaced the S Badge) to ensure that they are safe to compete in the water.
Following on from the Nippers Program, young members of Fairhaven SLSC (aged 13-15) are able to gain their SRC (Surf Rescue Certificate), which is the first step to becoming a life saver or Patrolling member. This course runs as an 8 day program over summer (for details see Training & Assessment).
The Bronze Medallion course is run from age 15.