Nippers
Elwood LSC’s Nippers program is now underway for the 2025/26 season.
What is Nippers?
Nippers is a beach education program that introduces children aged 5-13 to lifesaving.
The program caters for all manner of experience and skill levels. It is about learning new skills, gaining confidence and having fun in a safe beach environment. For Nippers, the beach is the classroom. They gain confidence through activities such as swimming, board paddling, beach sprinting, dolphin-diving, spotting a rip and having fun with new friends.
Children taking part in Nippers must be at least five years of age as at midnight on September 30.
When is Nippers?
Nippers sessions run each Sunday from 9.15am-11am. Sign in for children starts at 9am.
Nippers and their parents, like all members, can attend training sessions on Monday and Wednesday evenings.
The 2025/26 Elwood Nippers schedule is as follows:
| Details | Date |
| Session 1 | November 9 2025 |
| Session 2 | November 16 2025 |
| Session 3 | November 30 2025 |
| Session 4 | December 7 2025 |
| Session 5 | December 14 2025 |
| Session 6 | December 21 2025 |
| Session 7 | January 11 2026 |
| Session 8 | January 18 2026 |
| Session 9 – Backup date if required | January 25 2026 |
| Session 10 | February 1 2026 |
| Session 11 | February 8 2026 |
| Session 12 | February 15 2026 |
| Session 13 – Junior Club Championships | March 1 2026 |
How do I register?
The 2025/26 Nippers season is now underway.
Families who have secured a place must complete the following before their child can participate:
- Online membership registration for each family member including parents through the SLSA Members Portal
- All members aged 18 and over including parents must have a current Working with Children Check with Elwood LSC listed as an organisation
- Payment of the relevant membership fee ($150 for family membership)
- Payment of the $70 Nipper program fee
- Join the Elwood LSC page on Stack TeamApp (note you need to register and sign in)
- Nominate at least one parent or carer to help out on the volunteer duty roster.
For details about how to renew or take out a family membership please refer to the following document.
If you do not have a Working with Children Check (WWCC), you can complete an online form and lodge it at Australia Post outlets. The check is free for volunteers. The codes you need to enter in the Organisation Details section of the form are 28, 42 and 52. In this section also complete the details of all clubs that you volunteer with including Elwood LSC, PO Box 43, Elwood, VIC 3184 or 11 Elwood Foreshore, Elwood VIC 3184 secretary@elwoodlsc.com.au and Life Saving Victoria, PO Box 353, South Melbourne, VIC 3205 integrity@lsv.com.au.
If you already have a Working with Children Check, you just need to add Elwood LSC and Life Saving
Victoria to it. This can be done online.
If you are a teacher and have a VIT card, please notify them that you are associated with Elwood LSC
by adding us via this link.
Proficiency testing – Preliminary skills evaluation
Before Nippers can take part in water-based activities they must complete the preliminary skills evaluation relevant to their age group.
Testing was held at Harold Holt Pool, Glen Iris on October 26. If you were unable to make it or your child didn’t complete all of the elements successfully we ask you use this form to have your swim teacher complete the assessment and sign off. Once this has been done please return the form to us via email at nippers@elwoodlsc.com.au.
Under 6: Push and glide 1-2m from wall, recover to stand; back float for 15 secs, recover to stand; submerge to retrieve object from bottom of pool with hands in depth of 1m.
Under 7: Push and glide from wall, kick 2-3m, recover to stand; back float for 30 secs, recover to stand; submerge to retrieve object from bottom of pool with hands in depth of 1m.
Under 8: Swim 25m (incl 3-5m underwater); back float for 1min, recover to stand; submerge to retrieve object from bottom of pool with hands in depth of 1m.
Under 9: Swim 50m (any stroke); front to back float 5 secs each side; tread water and/or scull for 1min; submerge to retrieve object from bottom of pool with hands in depth of 1.5m.
Under 10: Swim on front 50m (any stroke); front to back float 5 secs each side; tread water and/or scull for 1min; submerge to retrieve object from bottom of pool with hands in depth of 1.5m.
Under 11: Swim on front 75m (freestyle); front to back float 5 secs each side; tread water and/or scull for 2min; submerge to perform forward or backward roll/somersault, recover to surface, retrieve object from bottom of pool with hands in depth of 1.5m.
Under 12: Swim on front 125m (freestyle); front to back float 5 secs each side; tread water and/or scull for 3min; submerge to perform forward or backward roll/somersault, recover to surface, retrieve object from bottom of pool with hands in depth of 1.8m.
Under 13: Swim on front 150m (freestyle); front to back float 5 secs each side; tread water and/or scull for 3min; submerge to perform forward or backward roll/somersault, recover to surface, retrieve object from bottom of pool with hands in depth of 1.8m.
Uniform
A coloured age group cap is issued to each Nipper, the cost of which is included in the Nipper Program fee. The coloured age group cap is compulsory for participation at every session.
Pink high visibility vests must be worn by all Nippers when they are taking part in water activities. These vests are compulsory for participation at all sessions including weeknight training and if members want to use equipment outside of supervised sessions. They can be purchased from the club for $25.
We also request that Nippers have a long sleeve rashie for sun protection. Club rashies are available for purchase but any style is acceptable.
Your support is vital
Elwood LSC requires at least one parent or guardian from each Nippers family to join the volunteer duty roster in order to secure their child’s enrolment.
To volunteer each Nippers session is loaded as an event (under the Nippers Program team) in Stack Team App and there is a Duty Roster for each session. Here, allocate yourself to a duty.
The following roles are included in the roster:
- Age group managers: Look after a particular age group. Must have completed or be currently completing the age manager’s course (training is provided by the club).
- Age group assistants: Assist the age manager running the age group. Must complete the SLSA Safeguarding Children and Young People Awareness online course.
- First aid officers: Tend to first aid cases at each session. A current first aid certificate is required for this role.
- Water safety helpers: Provide water safety for the age groups at each session. A current Bronze Medallion or Surf Rescue Certificate is required for this role (courses will be run prior to the season if you don’t currently have these awards).
- Set up and pack up helpers: Assist with setting up the beach and packing everything away after the session.
- BBQ and coffee cart helpers: Assist with preparing and cooking on the BBQ, making coffee and serving customers.
- Merchandise sales: Help sell merchandise at uniform collection days and during weekly sessions.
Communication with families
Elwood LSC uses Stack Team App to communicate with members regarding Nippers and also manage weekly volunteer rosters. Please download the app to your mobile device and add “Elwood LSC”. Please add your children as ‘players’ when you sign up under their age group. If you’re interested in competing request to be added to the competition group also.
Each Nippers session is loaded as an event. We also ask you RSVP on behalf of your children for each week.
Competition training schedules are loaded on Teamapp and all carnivals are loaded as events. If your children are competing please RSVP to the event on their behalf.
For further questions regarding our Nippers program, please contact nippers@elwoodlsc.com.au. A program guide can be downloaded here.