Woodside Nippers

ABOUT THE WOODSIDE NIPPERS PROGRAM

Surf Life Saving Western Australia has developed a comprehensive training programme for Nippers. The content is tailored to each age group, and the program is based on participatory evaluation and not assessed on competence. In other words, children need only be actively involved in each of the lessons to be eligible for the award. Again, the emphasis is on fun.

The Woodside Nipper program at Quinns Mindarie Surf Life Saving Club is for children aged 5 to 13 years and is an activity that provides members with a wide range of opportunities, including physical activity, surf awareness, beach safety and fun, as well as the skills necessary to effectively negotiate the surf.

Woodside Nipper age groups are divided into age groups from U6 to U13. The age group is determined by their age at midnight on 30 September.

Sunday morning Nipper activities commence at 8:50am. Parents and Nippers should assemble about 5 minutes prior to this time on the grassed area in front of the clubhouse by their Age Group coloured flag. It is expected that Nipper events finish approximately at 10:00am for the U6 & U7 and all other Age Groups approximately 11:00am.

If you are interested in your child joining our program we welcome you to come down and see how it all works.

ABOUT THE PRELIMINARY SKILLS EVALUATION

It is essential that Woodside Nippers can swim confidently as the Club does not provide swimming lessons.

The preliminary skills evaluations are in place to ensure that participants are fit and able to meet the requirements of the Woodside Nippers Program (this is a requirement of SLSA and is compulsory).

Woodside Nippers are unable to participate in water activities unless they have completed their preliminary evaluation. They can still participate in land-based events.

The Club facilitates an evaluation session with qualified aquatic education providers prior to each season. This year the session is on Sunday 12 October 2025 8:30am-1:00pm at Craigie Leisure Centre.

If you are unable to attend the Club facilitated evaluation session, you will need to have your child signed off by an appropriately qualified third-party aquatic education providers (including private and government learn to swim providers). Please have the person who conducts the assessment complete this 3rd party declaration form and email to nippers.admin@qmslsc.com.au

ABOUT THE WOODSIDE NIPPERS ALL ABILITIES PROGRAM

Surf Life Saving Western Australia has developed a modified and structured nippers program for all abilities that runs alongside our club’s Age Group Nippers program and focuses on beach and water safety and awareness and promotes inclusion and diversity. It is designed to make the popular Woodside Nippers program even more accessible.

The QMSLSC Woodside Nippers All Abilities program is designed for young people aged 5 years and above with diverse needs and abilities and can be adapted to the unique learning needs of its participants.

Sunday morning Nipper activities commence at 9:30am. Parents and Nippers should assemble about 5 minutes prior to this time on the grassed area in front of the clubhouse by their All Abilities flag. It is expected that Nipper events finish at approximately 11:00am.

ENQUIRE ABOUT THE ALL ABILITIES PROGRAM