Bondi Nippers
Our Nipper program has been running since 1965 and thousands of children have enjoyed the benefits of this amazing program at the world famous Bondi Beach. The Nippers program focuses on fun, friendship, growing confidence, teaching surf safety and surf skills and emphasising the importance of community.
Nippers is a fun way for children aged 5 to Under 14 to enjoy the beach in a safe environment. The Junior Development Program is designed to ensure children have fun at the beach while participating in lessons that will give them a pathway to becoming a qualified surf lifesaver and a junior competitor.
Each Sunday our Nippers participate in activities tailored to their Age Group, including board paddling, swimming, wading, running and beach flags. They also learn a diverse range of skills which build throughout the program, from learning about the surf environment right through to CPR, water rescues and basic first aid.
Nippers activities are on Sunday mornings from October until March with a break over Christmas/New Year.
Our Program
Nippers can start once they turn 5 years old. The first two years of Nippers are spent in the Under U6s and U7s, where the focus is on fun and games on the beach, along with teaching the kids the basic skills and awareness of surf safety.
The U8s through to U14s have a structured program that includes skill development activities in both the beach and water environment and an integrated education program that develops basic resuscitation, first aid and rescue skills.
U14s will undertake the Surf Life Saving Certificate (SRC) which will help them prepare for active patrolling duties with Bondi SBLSC. This award trains the U14s in rescue skills, first aid and patient management, resuscitation and a theoretical component exploring safety knowledge and surf awareness.
Our Vision - purpose, values, mission
To connect and engage is our purpose – our reference point for decisions, pulling us the right way
Inclusion, respect, team spirit and contribution are our values it is how we behave and how we think
To grow future leaders in lifesaving is our mission – that is what we are creating, it is what we do
Nippers Registration 2023/24
Nippers is not a learn to swim program. We strongly encourage all Nippers to participate in an external professional swimming program. Your child will be safer in the ocean and progress more quickly if they are a confident swimmer.
Swimming proficiencies are held prior to commencement of the season. All U6s to U14s Nippers must complete a pool proficiency. Details to follow.
Registration for Nippers 2022/23 will open early August. Stay tuned for further details.
Age Groups & Beach Session Times
Any child may join Nippers once they have turned five years old. Age group is determined as at 30 September each year. Nippers must be registered in the applicable Age Group. Use the table below to determine your child’s Age Group. To verify the age of all new Nippers we require a copy of your child’s birth certificate or passport.
Nippers Age Groups are strict: the SLSA system does not permit movement up or down an Age Group. We cannot accept requests such as accommodating friendship groups, swim ability or timetabling.
Parent Volunteer Roster – one Age Group each Sunday (rostered) (twice per Season) – set up/pack down & BBQ volunteers
Water Areas:
1: U6 / U10 /U12
2: U7 / U9 / U13
3: U8 / U11
Live calendar of events and volunteer weeks will be coming soon.
There is a Bondi Nippers Team app that offers subscribers live updates, notices and information on registration opening. If you would like to subscribe please follow the instructions here.
We also have a Facebook page.