Nippers

Build confidence. Make friends. Learn water safety skills for life.

Nippers is where kids aged 5-13 learn to love the beach, build confidence in the water, and become part of a community that looks out for each other.

Every Sunday morning from October to March, Dixon Park Beach comes alive with children build skills and friendships alongside passionate local volunteers and multi-generational families. It's fun, active, and teaches valuable water safety skills—all in a safe, supervised environment run entirely by parent volunteers.

Nippers isn't just about swimming and surf skills. It's about building confident, capable kids who understand the ocean, know how to stay safe, and are part of something bigger than themselves.

Your child will:

  • Develop water confidence and surf awareness

  • Learn essential beach and water safety skills

  • Build physical fitness and coordination through play

  • Make friends and be part of a team

  • Gain resilience, independence and self-confidence

Whether your child is water-confident or still building their skills, there's a place for them in Nippers. We meet kids where they are and support them as they develop.

How Nippers Works

Age Groups

Nippers is for children aged 5-13 years old, organized into age groups based on their age as of 30 September:

Under 6, Under 7, Under 8, Under 9, Under 10, Under 11, Under 12, Under 13, Under 14

When & Where

Season: October to early March (with a break over Christmas/January)

Day: Sunday mornings

Time: 9:20am - 10:45am

Location: Dixon Park Beach

Sign-in opens: 8:30am

What Happens on the Beach

Every Sunday is different, but activities are designed to build skills progressively while keeping it fun:

  • Beach sprints and flags

  • Board paddling and catching waves

  • Body surfing and dolphin diving

  • Learning to spot rips and hazards

  • Swimming and building water confidence

  • Teamwork games and challenges

  • Beach safety and signal recognition

It's structured and supervised, but most importantly—it's fun.

Water Safety Assessment

All children complete a swim evaluation before the Nippers season starts. This isn't a pass/fail test—it's a skills check that helps us provide the right level of supervision and activities for each child.

When: Typically held mid-September at Newcastle University pool

Details: Sent to registered families after enrolment

No child is excluded based on swimming ability. Children who need more support in the water receive additional supervision and participate in shallow-water activities until they're ready for more advanced skills.

Parent Involvement in Nippers

Nippers is powered by parents like you.

Every Sunday morning, volunteer parents make Nippers happen—whether they're supervising activities as Age Managers, providing water safety, running the BBQ, or setting up the beach. One parent from each family is required to participate. This isn't about rules—it's how we keep the program safe, affordable, and community-focused.

How You Can Help

When you register your child for Nippers, you'll complete a Parent Assistance Form indicating how you'd like to be involved.

There are plenty of ways to contribute—from hands-on water safety and age managing to behind-the-scenes support like BBQ, beach setup, and event coordination. We'll work with you to find something that fits your skills, schedule, and comfort level.

All parent roles require a Working With Children Check (WWCC).

Choose from:

Age Manager

Coordinate activities for your child's age group on Sunday mornings—leading warm-ups, organizing rotations, and keeping the group engaged and safe.

Requirements: Age Manager training (provided by the club)

Water Safety

Supervise water-based activities, support swimmers, and ensure safety in and around the surf.

Requirements: Valid Bronze Medallion or Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC)

Don't have your Bronze or SRC yet? No problem—training costs are included in your membership, and we'll support you through the process.

Activities Support

Help with BBQ, beach setup, equipment management, sign-in/sign-out, and event coordination.

Requirements: Just your time and willingness to help

Parent involvement keeps the program safe, builds community, and keeps costs low for all families. We'll support you, train you, and connect you with experienced members who'll show you the ropes.

Registration & Fees

Registration typically opens in August for the upcoming season (October-March). Registrations close in early October, so get in early to secure your spot.

Nippers is included as part of family membership. See membership options and pricing on our Memberships page

How to Register

  1. Complete online registration when it opens (typically August)

  2. Complete Parent Assistance Form

  3. Attend water safety assessment (details sent after registration)

  4. Turn up to first session (typically mid-October)

Register your interest

Common Questions

  • No. Nippers welcomes children of all swimming abilities. All children complete a water safety assessment before the season starts, which helps us provide the right level of supervision and activities. Children who are still building water confidence participate in shallow water and beach-based activities with extra support.

  • Nippers isn't just for athletes. It's for all kids—whether they're naturally water-confident or still finding their feet. Activities focus on building skills progressively in a supportive environment. There are competition pathways available for kids who want them (carnivals), but participation is entirely optional.

  • Sunday mornings during the Nippers season (October-March, with a Christmas/January break). Most parent roles involve being present on Sunday mornings when your child is already there. The time commitment varies depending on your role—Age Managers and Water Safety are more hands-on, while Activities Support can be more flexible.

  • We understand life happens. Let your Age Manager coordinator know if you can't make a session. Some roles (like beach setup and BBQ) work on a roster, so you're not expected every week.

  • Yes, new registrations are typically accepted throughout the season. Get in touch for details.

    • Swimmers/rashie

    • Sunscreen 

    • Nipper cap 

    • Towel

    • Water bottle

    • Goggles (optional)

Ready to join Nippers?

Give your child skills, confidence and friendships that last.

Register your Interest