Nippers this summer will be held each Sunday morning in December and January.
In January, additional sessions will be held in the lead up to local carnivals. Please note, our regular Nippers sessions will not be held on days when our local carnivals are scheduled.
Local Nippers Carnivals
Dates have been set for our Nippers carnivals with Woodside and Lakes Entrance.
Woodside will hold its carnival on Sunday 4 January, 2026
Lakes Entrance will hold its carnival on Sunday 11 January, 2026, and
Seaspray will hold its Nippers carnival on Sunday 18 January, 2026.
We will be asking grown-ups to volunteer to assist with cooking the barbeque following our Nippers beach sessions and the Seaspray carnival. With plenty of volunteers, you’ll probably only need to help out once or twice during the season. If you’d like to have dinner or lunch at the bistro, please book ahead.
Compulsory Swim Assessments
Nippers in all age groups must undergo a swim assessment. This is an annual requirement that must be completed before they can join us on the beach.
The children are assessed on their ability to swim a set distance and float for a specified time appropriate for their age and will be assessed by a qualified swim instructor. This assists the age manager in determining the best program for your child. It is a capability assessment only.
Swim assessments will be held on Sunday 9 November at Aqua Energy in Sale. Please arrive at the time allocated for your child’s age group.
9am: Under Ten, Under Eleven, Under Twelve and Under Thirteen age groups.
9.30am: Under Six, Under Seven, Under Eight and Under Nine age groups.
Nippers should be wearing their bathers and bring a towel, goggles, drink bottle and warm clothing. The assessments will take place in the outdoor pool, so feel free to bring a wetsuit.
Please enter Aqua Energy via the main entrance and indoor reception desk off Brayakulung Way.
Nippers without a membership for Aqua Energy will be asked to pay the entrance fee ($5.30 for children aged up to 15). Aqua Energy members should bring their membership tag.
You will be helping the smooth running of the morning if you have already registered for the coming season, paid your membership and know your Nipper’s age group.
Age Groups
Age groups for Nippers are determined by a child’s age on 30 September, 2025. For example, a child who turns 10 years old on 1 November 2025 will be in Under Ten as they were nine years old at the end of September. A child who turned 12 years old on 1 September will be in Under Thirteen as they were 12 years old on 30 September.
Children must be aged 5 years or more as of September 30, 2025 to participate in Nippers. The program is not designed to cater for children aged younger than this. Children who turn five shortly after the cutoff date or over summer will find themselves in the same age group for an extra season. We strongly advise parents to wait an extra year before enrolling their child so they can fully enjoy their first season with us.
The age groups are:
Under Six – 5 years old on 30 September, 2025
Under Seven – 6 years old on 30 September, 2025
Under Eight – 7 years old on 30 September, 2025
Under Nine – 8 years old on 30 September, 2025
Under Ten – 9 years old on 30 September, 2025
Under Eleven – 10 years old on 30 September, 2025
Under Twelve – 11 years old on 30 September, 2025
Under Thirteen – 12 years old on 30 September, 2025
Teens who are 13 on or before 30 September, 2025, are also welcome to join our Nippers sessions and compete at our local carnivals. This age group and Nippers who turn 13 on or before 16 December, 2025 may be eligible to undertake the Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC). This certificate provides an introduction to the skills and knowledge required for aquatic rescue operations, surf awareness, basic first aid and CPR. This year’s course will be held during Bronze Camp from 14th to 20th December. For more information, contact Lachy on chiefinstructor@seaspraysurfclub.org.au or 0432 597 038, or James at clubcaptain@seaspraysurfclub.org.au or 0476 168 060.
New Nippers will be presented with a pink singlet and club cap at our first beach session. The singlet and cap must be worn at all sessions and at carnivals. If you need a new cap or singlet for whatever reason, replacements can be bought for $10 each and replacement singlets for $30. If your Nipper arrives at the beach without their cap or singlet, secondhand items may be available for loan for that day only. Please see your age manager and return the borrowed items at the end of the session.
*All Nippers must be registered and their club membership paid before they can join us on the beach.*
Nippers cost $75 per child and at least one parent must register as an associate member $50 ($125 minimum) or family membership $200. Please refer to our membership options.
To renew your membership, go to https://hub.sls.com.au/
New Nippers membership signup guidance document. https://www.seaspraysurfclub.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/How-to-create-a-New-Nipper-Members-to-Seaspray-Surfclub.pdf
Parents are required to have a Working with Children Check (WWCC). WWCC details should be emailed to memberships@seaspraysurfclub.org.au at the start of the season.
If you want to support your child on the beach, you can become a trained Nippers volunteer or put your hand up to be an age manager or help out with some admin. If you would like to be a water safety officer, you need to complete your Bronze Medallion. We will be running a course for adults who want to do their Bronze. Anyone interested should email chiefinstructor@seaspraysurfclub.org.au. If you are interested in volunteering but would prefer to stay dry, please email nippers@seaspraysurfclub.org.au.
We’ll again be using Stack Team App to communicate with our Nipper families. Changes to session details, news of carnivals, important dates and other reminders will be on the app. Please ensure you have push notifications turned on.
If you have any questions, please email us at nippers@seaspraysurfclub.org.au.
