Nippers - Training the Future Lifesavers Today

If you're just new to the surf lifesaving scene, you might have heard the term "nippers" quite a few times by now. But what exactly are the "nippers"? And why are they called that?

A nipper is an Australian slang word for children. So in surf lifesaving nippers are the members of a surf club that are within the ages of 5 and 13 years. But unlike the other senior club members, nippers rarely patrol the beaches. The primary function of the nippers is to teach kids about having fun in the surf and also learn about its dangers; pretty much like the Scouts, only wetter. The nippers learn about what creatures to look out for, like the blue-ringed octopus and the deadly box jellyfish. They are also taught about the different surf conditions, like riptides, sandbars, waves, and undertows. They are also taught basic first aid and CPR when they reach 13 years old.

Nippers were purportedly started by the Nambucca Heads Surf Club, one of the oldest clubs in Australia.

Only Nippers in the Under 14 age group (8 to 13 years) are allowed to patrol the beaches accompanied of course by a senior club member. And they are the only age group in the Nippers division that are allowed to compete in the senior division of surf carnivals.

Besides being taught about safety, Nippers are also trained in preparation for regular surf lifesaving sports competitions, or surf carnivals. They can participate in almost all the events that the senior club members can, except for surf ski, and surf boat races. And they also have appropriately sized equipment such as shorter surfboards, etc.

Using surf lifesaving sports to train Nippers for their future duties as full-fledged lifesavers are great. With sports they can train their minds and bodies, and they also learn about teamwork, which is an essential aspect of lifesaving. The nippers start training at an early age, because they can almost start to compete immediately in the Under 8 category.

There are also an age group that is even younger than the Nippers. The name of this age group differs depending on what club you ask, they're sometimes called "Tiny Tots" or "Beach Worms". Being just toddlers, these members cannot be taught first aid or CPR. Their primary focus is to eliminate the fear of water from the children through play, like wading and splashing in water.

The Nippers are a great way to teach children about the environment, safety, and most of all discipline. And since their classroom is the beach and the ocean they become more eager to learn, unlike in enclosed classrooms. And they also learn a thing or two about camaraderie, because lifesavers have to entrust their lives to their comrades; you won't be able to perform your duties well if you don't trust your teammates. And besides that, they also learn how to take care of their bodies through exercise.

So if you want your child to have a good character and a healthy mind and body, why not enrol him at the Nippers division of your local surf club. You may want to join too, but you will probably be too old now, so just join the club instead.