Woodside Nippers……. First Things First!
You’ll find heaps of detailed info on this page but if you are time poor or already know you want to be a Woodside Nipper this season just have a read of this first section for the key info and how to sign up for the 2024/25 Woodside Nippers program!
A parent or guardian must sign up with any child/children participating in the Woodside Nippers program
Every Cott Nipper receives a FREE Woodside Nippers pack including a high-vis vest, age group skull cap, wide brim hat and mesh sling bag.
Children participating in the U8s to U13s program MUST complete a proficiency swim prior to the start of each new season (detailed info below)
Please check the date range table on this page below to see what age group your child/children will be in.
All Cott SLSC Woodside Nipper sessions are held within the swimming enclosure at Cott Beach
2024/25 Woodside Nipper Fees:
Nipper & Compulsory Parent: $250 (new or renewing)
2 x Nippers + Parent: $400 (new or renewing)
Renewing Family Membership: $480 (2 adults/2+ children)
New Family Membership: $490 (2 adults/2+ children) which includes a Fob key to the change rooms
How to Join as a New Nipper Member!
To sign up to the Woodside Nippers program all new members need to sign up via sls.com.au/join and create a members account.
Just follow these simple steps-
Select “Surf Life Saving Club”
Type in Cottesloe SLSC
Select join as a family (Every Woodside Nipper membership selects this option)
Provide your family name - example Smith Family
Enter the compulsory Adult members details first
Enter your Child/Children’s details next
Complete the remainder of the required personal details
Make payment for your selected memberships
Create a membership account (this will allow you to renew online in future seasons)
Returning members please renew your membership via your member portal.
Woodside Nippers 5YOs to 13YOs
A great way to grow your child’s confidence in the beach environment while being active and simply having fun!!
Woodside Nippers is the perfect program to introduce your child to the beach environment. An active, friendly and fun program, Woodside Nippers teaches children about surf awareness and develops their surf sports skills all while making new friends in a fun & safe environment!
Held at the iconic Cottesloe Beach, every Nippers age group program is conducted within the eco barrier ensuring you have peace of mind while your child is in the water. Cottesloe Beach is also one of the calmest beaches over the Summer months making it the perfect location to introduce your child to the ocean!
Sessions run every Sunday morning between 08:45am and 10:30am and are followed by the traditional sausage sizzle in the courtyard. This is a great way to meet other families and members of the Club!
Check out the Nippers PHOTO gallery to see how fun the program really is!!
When Is Nippers?
Woodside Nippers runs from October to March Sunday mornings between 08:45 and 10:30. Beach sessions are followed by the traditional sausage sizzle in the courtyard. This is a great way to meet other families and members of the Club!
Key 2024/25 program dates:
TBC - Club Open Day/Registration Day
Sunday October 20th - Nipper Proficiency Swim @ St Hilda’s Pool for U8s to U13s
Sunday October 27th - Woodside Nippers packs distributed / First Nippers session!
Sunday December 15th - Christmas Nippers with Santa visit
Sunday December 22nd - Christmas Break - No Nippers
Sunday 29 December 2024 - Christmas Break - No Nippers
Sunday 5 January 2024 - Nippers Re-Starts
Sunday 16 March - Last Nippers Session
So Which Age Group am I?
The age group for the season is determined as of midnight on 30th September. Listed below are the age groups children will be in for the coming season:
U13 - If your child is born between 30/09/2012 (youngest) and 01/10/2011 (oldest) they are in the U13s
U12 - If your child is born between 30/09/2013 (youngest) and 01/10/2012 (oldest) they are in the U12s
U11 - If your child is born between 30/09/2014 (youngest) and 01/10/2013 (oldest) they are in the U11s
U10 - If your child is born between 30/09/2015 (youngest) and 01/10/2014 (oldest) they are in the U10s
U9 - If your child is born between 30/09/2016 (youngest) and 01/10/2015 (oldest) they are in the U9s
U8 - If your child is born between 30/09/2017 (youngest) and 01/10/2016 (oldest) they are in the U8s
U7 - If your child is born between 30/09/2018 (youngest) and 01/10/2017 (oldest) they are in the U7s
U6 - If your child is born between 30/09/2019 (youngest) and 01/10/2018 (oldest) they are in the U6s
If your child is born on or after 01/10/2019 unfortunately they will not be old enough to participate in the Woodside Nippers program this season.
If you still aren’t sure use the age calculator to check your age bracket!
Water Proficiency Requirements
Preliminary evaluations are a risk management procedure to appraise the swimming capabilities of participants and must be done as part of our club’s duty of care. Preliminary evaluations must be successfully completed before your child can participate in any water based activities.
Please see the button below for a comprehensive breakdown of the proficiency requirements for each age group. Please then download the proficiency form to complete and return to your age group manager.
Nippers that want to compete for Cottesloe must also complete their Competition Evaluation. This is required before registering for any competition, including Branch and State carnivals
Children participating in the U/6 & U/7 age groups can complete their preliminary evaluation at their first beach session.
Completing The Proficiency Swim
A proficiency swim day is included in your Nippers membership.
Held at St Hilda’s Anglican School on Sunday 20th October 2024 participants can have their proficiency swim form signed off by their age group managers. Please download and take your proficiency form (below) with you and check in with your age group manager . Age group managers will have your details and will mark off your attendance on the day!
Please note children cannot commence the Nippers program until their age group manager has a signed proficiency swim form.
If you are unable to attend the Club proficiency swim your proficiency form can be signed off by a qualified swimming coach, instructor or life guard at your school or local pool.,
What to Expect as a Nipper Parent!
To help smooth the orientation process below is an outline of a few expectations of our Nipper Parents! If you have any questions, please speak with the Junior Activities Officer or Age Group Manager
1. You will get Wet! So please wear your swimming gear!
· You will be expected to assist your child in the water activities in the younger age groups while they learn to be more proficient in the surf.
· The older age groups require water safety people to be able to complete water activities.
· It’s easy and gives you a close up of how well your kids are doing in the water. Just ask your age manager how to get involved!
2. At least one parent or guardian will need to stay for the entire session.
· This is an OHS requirement to make sure we keep all of the kids safe at the beach!
· If you are unable to stay if you have more than 1 child in different age groups, please speak with your age manager to discuss a solution.
3. You will be expected to volunteer for at least one of the activities on the volunteer sheet (If you aren’t confident at the beach activities the BBQ roster is always a safe bet!)
4. If your child has used a piece of equipment during the session, please grab a piece of equipment (doesn’t matter what) and take it up to the boatshed, hose it off and put it away.
· This makes sure the equipment is kept in good condition and there is enough for all children to use.
· If you’re not sure where to put something back – ask any of the age managers or assistants
5. Please put your hand up to do the small things, put flags out, help to count the places the kids come over the line, record names, round up children at carnivals – all of this helps out so much.
· If you’re not sure what you can do to assist, just ask your Age Manager they will let you know with a big grin!
6. Please make sure your child has sunscreen, rash vest, their age cap and fluro vest for every session!
7. Make sure you like our club facebook page and join our Juniors group on facebook for all information throughout the season.
· Facebook Page – Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club
· Facebook Group – Cottesloe SLSC Members or Cottesloe SLSC Woodside Nippers
Sign up to the CottMail Newsletter
8. Lastly have fun watching your child learn and have fun with their peers. Lifelong friendships are made at surf club, not just for your children, but for you. We would encourage you to come to social events as well, have a sausage in the outdoor area after Sunday activities and get to know your fellow Clubbies!
See you on the beach!
Imogen Gracie | Junior Activities Officer
junioractivity@cottsurf.com