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!!
Woodside Nippers - How it all works!
Becoming a Woodside Nipper is easy!
Any child 5 years of age on or before September 30th 2023 can join the Club with a parent or legal guardian. If you have 2 or more children participating in the Nippers program a family membership (which include additional Club benefits) is also available (see membership categories)
Woodside Nipper: $160 per child
Parent/Guardian: $75 per adult
Family Membership: $480 (2 adults/2+ children)
As part of your membership every Nipper receives a FREE Woodside Nippers pack including a high-vis vest, age group skull cap, wide brim hat and mesh sling bag. We encourage our kids to wear Cottesloe SLSC swim wear (available to purchase in the surf shop) however it is not compulsory.
Nipper packs are distributed up at the Club court yard prior to hitting the beach for the first session of the new season!
Check out the Nippers PHOTO gallery to see how fun the program really is and down load the hand book below for ALL the program infomation!
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 - child has turned 12 on or before September 30th 2023
U12 - child has turned 11 on or before September 30th 2023
U11 - child has turned 10 on or before September 30th 2023
U10 - child has turned 9 on or before September 30th 2023
U9 - child has turned 8 on or before September 30th 2023
U8 - child has turned 7 on or before September 30th 2023
U7 - child has turned 6 on or before September 30th 2023
U6 - child has turned 5 on or before September 30th 2023
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 22 October 2023 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.,
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 2023/24 program dates:
Sunday 1 October 2023 - Club Open Day/Registration Day
Sunday 22 October 2023 - Nipper Proficiency swim @ St Hilda’s Pool
Sunday 29 October 2023 - Woodside Nippers packs distributed / First Nippers session!
Sunday 24 December 2023 - Christmas Break - No Nippers
Sunday 31 December 2023 - New Year Break - No Nippers
Sunday 7 January 2024 - Nippers Re-Starts!
Sunday 17 March 2024 - Last Nippers Session.
Sounds Good? Time to Join!
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 Cottesloe SLSC
Select join as a family
Enter your details (compulsory Adult membership)
Enter your Childs details (Nipper membership)
Make payment for your selected memberships
Returning members please renew your membership via your member portal.
Check out the Nippers PHOTO gallery to see how fun the program really is!!
How Can Parents Get Involved??
The Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club is a volunteer organisation and greatly appreciates the support of parents. The Youth and Junior Sections are organised by the Development Officer and the Junior Activities Officer. An age group manager is appointed to each age group. We find that members get more enjoyment from activities when their family gets involved.
For parents and guardians of Nippers there are lots of club activities we would welcome you getting involved in. The club bar is also open on Friday nights and you are welcome to bring family and friends to socialise and mingle with other club members.
The club is always looking for volunteers:
Actively helping your Age Group Manager each week
Becoming an Age Group Manager. No experience is necessary, you just need the right attitude. New AGMs are always welcome and we can provide the training
Helping the Cott Café on Sunday mornings
Cooking the sausage sizzle on Sunday mornings
Assisting Nippers to correctly put away boards each Sunday in the Boat Shed
Assisting with organising social events for the Nippers and parents
Doing your Surf Rescue Certificate or Bronze Medallion (fees apply), which then allows you to do patrols or assist with club activities on Sunday mornings.
Doing the free Parent Nipper Rescue Certificate to help out on the beach.
If you have a Bronze, you can do other courses including IRB crew and driver’s license, Advanced First Aid, Spinal Management, Defibrillator operator, as well as Level One Coaching or Officiating Certificate which will enable you to help at Carnivals.
Please ensure you read more information about the Surf Life Saving policy, which highlights the risk management procedures as well as the minimum requirements for the provision of water safety.
You can volunteer by contacting your child’s Age Group Manager. If you have any queries please talk to the Age Managers or contact the Development Officer.