Newport SLSC

Our objective at Newport is to educate the community from adults to children, to be competent and safe in the beach and surf environment.

We have a strong focus on educating our children within the community and provide them with a range of activities. These include surf knowledge and techniques, which are introduced to the children through our Nipper Programme, run on Sunday mornings throughout the summer months. We also pride ourselves on being able to keep the general public safe by providing a beach that is patrolled through summer. To do this we rely on volunteer members to join us and become lifesavers, undertaking a range of awards and qualifications.

★ Nippers programme for special needs children

Another first that our Club can be proud of is the instigation of a Nipper Programme for children with Special Needs. This programme is a first for the Northern Beaches Branch, and as far as we are aware, one of the only programmes running in NSW.

★ Nippers (5 – 13 years)

Newport Nippers likes to take care of the environment – so please be mindful of not leaving any rubbish on the beach and try to BYO drink bottles etc.

Nippers is Surf Life Saving for children aged between 5 and 13 years. Children from 5 to 7 years may join on an educational basis, while children from 8 years up may join in competitions representing Newport SLSC. They can compete in Northern Beaches inter-club competitions, Sydney Branch and state carnivals. While competition is an important element, surf awareness and education is the primary aim. Children are taught how to respect and read the surf, and to use it to their advantage.

On completion of the season, all children will receive a certificate to show they have gained the skills required in their age group. Our award system works on participation. Every child from U6 to U8 will get a bronze medal for participation and a certificate if he or she has registered before mid-December. Children from U9 to U14 will get a gold medal if they have attended 80% of Sunday Nippers (this includes representing the club at competitions). This allows for children to miss only 4 Sunday mornings. Nippers is an educational program so it is important that children try to attend as much of nippers as possible to get the most out of the program. Children that do not meet the 80% attendance will get a certificate to show their accomplishment. We encourage all children and parents to come to each Sunday morning as the skills learnt will only get stronger with practice, and in turn will allow your child’s confidence to grow when it comes to surf lifesaving.

★ Joining Our Nippers’ Programme

Any girl or boy may join Nippers and you DON’T have to be competitive or athletic or even confident in the surf. One of the best things about Nippers is seeing young children who are scared of the water lose their fear during the season. Children with disabilities are welcome but in some cases a Doctor’s letter will be requested stating that the child is capable of undertaking certain events or activities. In all cases, the child would not be expected to participate in any event or activity where the disability might cause danger to the child.

Proficiency

★ Before any child is allowed to participate in any water event or activity (ie. an event where they would be in water out of their depth) they are required to take a proficiency evaluation.

★ If your child cannot pass the minimum proficiency this does not mean they can not join. It means however that the ratio to child to water safety is 1:1 as apposed to 1:5. For this reason we need as many parents doing their bronze and helping with water safety as much as possible. We are here to help water proof your kids, but this can be done if we all do it together. The more water safety we have the more time your nipper can spend in the water.

★ Children who wish to compete at carnivals in both water and beach events will be required to undertake an open water swim proficiency. Please see our Head Coach for details about this Competition Proficiency Swim. All kids that compete must come to training and flat water is a must!

Accepts NSW Creative Kids Vouchers

Accepts NSW Active Kids Vouchers