Nipper Sundays

At the first Nippers session each season, your child will receive a pink high-visibility singlet and their age group cap. These items must be worn for the entire duration of each Nippers session. Please also ensure your child brings: • Goggles • Sunscreen • Water bottle • Towel • Sun-safe clothing

Yes. All Nippers are required to wear specific safety items during Sunday sessions and at carnivals. Skull Caps All Nippers must wear their coloured age group skull cap at all times during Nippers. Caps are removed once the session has finished. Wearing a skull cap is a Surf Life Saving safety requirement. Yamba’s gold and black caps must be worn when competing at surf carnivals. High Visibility Singlets Nippers participating in water activities are issued a Yamba Surf Club pink high-visibility singlet free of charge. Hi-vis singlets are mandatory for all water activities. Children cannot participate in water events without their singlet (spares may sometimes be available in the equipment room). Carnivals Yamba SLSC competition caps and Yamba club swimmers must be worn when competing. Pink hi-vis singlets are required for water events. No jewellery is to be worn at any time. Club swimwear is available for purchase most Sunday mornings at the clubhouse or through the club office during office hours.

The JAC Committee will assess weather and surf conditions and make a decision if activities are considered unsafe. Any cancellation of Nippers or carnivals will be communicated to members as soon as possible via: A text message sent to the mobile number listed on your registration (please ensure your contact details are kept up to date). A post in the “Yamba Nippers 25/26 – Members Only” Facebook group.

Yes, absolutely. Parent involvement is essential to the smooth running of our Nippers sessions. Age Managers rely on the support and assistance of parents each week to deliver activities safely and effectively. Nippers is not a drop-and-go program, and children must not be left unattended at any time.

Surf Life Saving thrives on the dedication and goodwill of our volunteers. Parents and carers are warmly encouraged to be part of the weekly Sunday Nippers program and the broader life of the Club. Many parents are current or former Surf Life Saving members and assist with water safety, while others take on roles as Age Managers or join one of our Club committees. There are also opportunities to become an Official and support the running of carnivals. Committee positions for both the Club and the Nippers program are nominated and voted on at the respective Annual General Meetings each year. For those keen to get more involved, education courses are offered regularly, including the Bronze Medallion and First Aid. These qualifications allow parents to assist with water safety at Nippers, training sessions and carnivals and play an active role on the beach.

A mix of beach and water events each Sunday, designed to build confidence, fitness and surf skills. Younger age groups participate in surf wades, beach sprints and beach flags, developing water confidence in a supervised setting. Surf swims around buoy courses help build endurance and surf awareness. Board races and board relays see Nippers paddling rescue boards through the break and back to shore. Board rescue events focus on teamwork, with one swimmer and one paddler working together. Ironperson/Ironman & Ironwoman events (older age groups) combine run, swim and board legs for an exciting challenge. Beach events include sprints, flags and relays over set distances. All activities are age-appropriate, supervised and centred on skill development, teamwork and fun.

Yamba SLSC supplies all equipment needed for Sunday activities and Carnivals, including Nipper Boards. As we are a club funded by donations and sponsors, it is important we all take responsibility for the handling, care and returning of all equipment. Boards are available for use by club members only. Boards can be used during Nippers Sunday activities and other times when the board shed is open (most patrolled weekends). If you use the boards, it is your responsibility to care for them and return them to the board shed after each use. ·        Do not leave boards lying on the beach in the sun for extended periods ·        Do not sit on boards on the sand ·        Lift and carry boards, do not drag them across the sand ·        Wash boards after use with fresh water, supplied at the board shed ·        Report any damage to Yamba SLSC.