NIPPERS FAQs
Nippers will start on Sunday 12 November 2023
U5 and U6 from 10.30 to 11.30am
U7 to U13 from 10.30am to 12.00 midday
Who manages and runs the Nippers Program?
Mentone LSC Nippers is run by volunteers.
These volunteers are primarily made up of parents of Nippers and young adult patrollers.
The roles at Nippers include:
- Coach - Responsible for leading skill sessions
- Age Manager - Responsible for team management and communication
- Assistant Managers - Assisting the coach in sessions.
What is the content of Nipper Sessions?
Our Weekly sessions are structured to achieve specific outcomes. We cover a range of topics (depending on age) including:
- Safety
- Proficiency in Open Water Swimming
- Proficiency in Open Water Boarding
- Reading and adjusting to Surf Conditions
- Fitness and and Endurance
- First Aid
- Basic Life Saving Skills
What should my Nipper wear?
All bathers are welcome to be used at Nippers but if you do wish to compete at a Carnival then Mentone colours (a minimum of a club cap and pink safety vest) will need to be purchased.
All Mentone LSC Merchandise is available for purchase during Sunday morning Nippers sessions.
Rash tops/t shirts and hats must be worn and drinking water should be readily available for your child.
What does my Nipper take to sessions?
- Water Bottle
- Rash top / t shirt
- Sun screen (must apply before the session begins)
- Swim cap
- Broad-brim hat
- Wetsuit (on colder, windy days)
- Goggles (and an extra pair)
- Towel
- Warm clothing to change into after the session
Can I drop my children at Nippers and leave?
NO
It is compulsory that a parent or designated guardian is at the beach during the entire duration of the Nippers session.
Parents of U6 & U7 children must stay with their group at all times.
Parents of U8+ must inform the Age Manager where they will be if they are not going to be with the group.
Is competing at Life Saving Carnivals mandatory?
NO
Participation in Carnivals is completely optional.
Your Nipper can choose to participate as much or as little as they like in Carnivals.
If your Nipper would like to compete please go to the Competition Page for more information.
Why is Mentone LSC Nippers Different?
Mentone LSC is one of Victoria's largest and most successful Nipper Programs. The success of this program is a result of the many hours of effort by the volunteers and subject matter experts. Some of the specific areas that make Mentone LSC's Nipper Program so special includes:
- Year Round Activities - We have programs for both Summer and Winter.
- Shared Experience with your Nipper - We have a program that helps you better share the life saving and surf experience with your child.
- Multiple pathways for your young adult - We have a number of pathways for Nippers as they grow including competition, patrol, coaching, mentoring and assistance with our Starfish Nippers program.
- Peer learning and Mentoring - We rely on our young adults to peer teach one another. This approach has proven to benefit both teacher and student.
- Access to Outstanding Coaches - Mentone LSC provides our Nippers with access to some of the best coaches in Victoria as well as the best in Australia including Clint Robinson and Harriet Brown.
- Additional training provided as part of membership - Mentone LSC Provides a number of sessions throughout the summer that will improve beach fitness and surf skills.
- Monthly Surf Beach Skills session - Mentone LSC host structured surf skills session on the surf coast year round. These session focus on boarding and swimming in surf conditions. Beaches include Anglesea, Torquay, Ocean Grove, and others.
- Swimming Programs - Mentone LSC has a strong focus on open water swimming. This focus includes a number of programs including;
- Mentone LSC Seals (introduction to Open Water Swimming),
- Mentone LSC Dolphins (Advanced Open Water Swimming),
- Mentone LSC Open Water Swim,
- Mentone LSC Marathon Swim,
- Weekly swimming at Bayside Aquatic for parents and Nippers.
Harriet Brown is a World Ironwoman Champion, Nutri-Grain Ironwoman Series Champion, Australian Team Captain & Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Champion
Clint Robinson, OAM is an Australian sprint kayaker and surf lifesaver who has won a complete set of medals at the Summer Olympics.
What Age Group will my Nipper be in?
| Nippers Age Groups | |
| U06 | If your child was 5 years old on 30 September, they will be in U6 |
| U07 | If your child was 6 years old on 30 September, they will be in U7 |
| U08 | If your child was 7 years old on 30 September, they will be in U8 |
| U09 | If your child was 8 years old on 30 September, they will be in U9 |
| U10 | If your child was 9 years old on 30 September, they will be in U10 |
| U11 | If your child was 10 years old on 30 September, they will be in U11 |
| U12 | If your child was 11 years old on 30 September, they will be in U12 |
| U13 | If your child was 12 years old on 30 September, they will be in U13 |
| U14 | If your child was 13 years old on 30 September, they will be in U14 |
Where do Age Groups meet?
At the start of Nippers each week, please line up at your Age Group flag.
The Age Group Manager and Coach will provide you with specific information regarding the program for the day and any other important information relevant to your group.
Which Age Groups wear caps?
Do I have to buy equipment?
All equipment is supplied by the club and care must be taken in its use. There are four different sized boards used in Nippers as described below. It is important Nippers stay to the board they are being trained in for both safety and ensuring there is enough boards for each age group:
|
Flat Demon and Bennet Foamies
‘Demon’ Soft Foam Nipper Boards ‘Bennett’ 'Kracka' Soft Foam Nipper Hard Nipper Boards Racing Mals |
Used for U6’s
Used for U7’s and U8's Used for U9’s and U10’s Used for U11’s, U12’s and U13’s Used for U14’s |
PARENTS – PLEASE ASSIST YOUR CHILD WITH REMOVING AND RETURNING THE BOARDS FROM AND TO THE CLUB ROOMS AND TRAILER.
Any damage to equipment should be reported to your Team Manager or a patrol member so that it can be attended to. Please observe the signs in the board room advising terms of use and reporting of faults. Wear Club caps at all times to ensure you are identified as a member when using equipment. There is also a selection of older boards and ski’s that members are encouraged to use found as you walk into the board room from the beach on the right and left.
Is there a Code of Conduct?
The Club has a Code of Conduct that is regularly reviewed and updated by the Club Committee.
The Code covers policy and procedures that all members must abide by. The children are here to join in with activities and have fun. However, to ensure a quality learning environment is created, the Age Managers, Club Officials and other parents must be treated with respect and their views and contributions recognised and heard.
Behaviour that does not meet the code will be appropriately managed through our grievance process. Please do not hesitate to ask your Team Manager for a copy of the detailed code if you wish to review it. All policies relating to these and all issues can be downloaded via the Life Saving Victoria website at www.lifesavingvictoria.com.au
What is the Nippers Junior Sporting Competition?
Each year Life Saving Victoria oversees the Victorian Junior Surf Competition which involves live saving clubs competing at four state carnivals and a two state championship qualifying carnivals.
The season begins in November and culminates with the Junior State Championships in late February.
There are many events that may be contested at each carnival, although programs will vary at each event.
Individual Events
- Surf Race
- Wading Race
- Surf Board Race
- Ironman/Ironwoman
- Beach Sprint
- Beach Flags
Team Events
- Surf Teams
- Wade Relay
- Beach Relay
- Board Relay
- Aqua Cameron Relay
- 2 person rescue and resuscitation
We encourage all our Nippers to have a go at a Carnival and we provide plenty of opportunities to train and improve for those that wish to compete in the State Championships both at the individual level and the team events.
The Carnivals are held both in the Bay and on the Coast and each placing earns points. The club with the most points wins the Carnival.
For further information regarding registering for Competitions please click through to our competition page.