Nippers at Mollymook

Register online through the SLS Members Hub and complete your membership application for Mollymook Surf Life Saving Club. Your child and at least one parent or carer must be registered financial members before taking part. Family Membership is available and is generally the easiest and most cost-effective option for Nippers families. Contact the Nippers team for current fees.

Nippers is not a learn-to-swim program. Children need basic swimming ability and water confidence. Swimming requirements increase with age. Regular swimming lessons alongside Nippers are recommended for children still developing strength, endurance or confidence.

A preliminary skills assessment takes place on Sunday 18 October 2026, with staggered age-group times communicated beforehand. It is not a pass/fail test: it helps Age Managers and the Water Safety team understand each child’s water skills and any additional support or supervision needed.

Nippers runs on Sunday mornings at Mollymook SLSC from 18 October 2026 to 14 March 2027, ending with a BBQ and presentation. Sessions run from 8:45am to 11am. Arrive by 8:30am to get ready, apply sunscreen and collect caps.

Activities start at 9am, rotating through Swim, Board, and Sand and Education for approximately 40 minutes each. Opening-day assessments have staggered age-group times, shared beforehand. Check the Mollymook SLSC – NIPPERS group on Stack Team App for the current season calendar.

Age groups are based on your child’s age at midnight on 30 September 2026. To join U8, your child must be 7 years old on that date. The 2026/27 date-of-birth ranges are:

U8: 1 October 2018 – 30 September 2019
U9: 1 October 2017 – 30 September 2018
U10: 1 October 2016 – 30 September 2017
U11: 1 October 2015 – 30 September 2016
U12: 1 October 2014 – 30 September 2015
U13: 1 October 2013 – 30 September 2014
U14: 1 October 2012 – 30 September 2013

Yes. At least one parent or carer must be a registered financial member of Mollymook SLSC. Family Membership is available. Parents and carers must remain at the beach throughout Nippers; it is not a drop-off program.

Every Nipper must wear a pink high-vis vest for Sunday sessions, board training and carnivals, together with the appropriate cap. Families provide their child’s vest and swimwear.

A wetsuit is recommended for cooler sessions, as children can become cold during water activities. Wetsuits cannot be worn at carnivals. Goggles are useful for swimming sessions.

For Sunday sessions:

U8: pink cap, issued by the club and returned after each session.
U9: green cap, issued by the club and returned after each session.
U10: blue cap, issued by the club and returned after each session.
U11–U14: black and white cap, purchased by families.

At carnivals, all U8–U14 Nippers wear a black and white cap.

The club provides Nipper boards and beach equipment for organised Nippers activities. Families supply personal items, including the required pink high-vis vest, appropriate swimwear, sunscreen, a towel, a water bottle and other items their child needs for the session.

Activities may change depending on weather, surf and beach conditions or operational requirements. Program changes and weather updates are shared in the Mollymook SLSC – NIPPERS group on Stack Team App. Join the group and switch on notifications so you receive updates.

Download the free Stack Team App from the Apple App Store or Google Play, create an account and search for “Mollymook SLSC – NIPPERS” to join the group. Switch on notifications and check the season calendar regularly for updates, reminders and changes to the program.

Yes. Nippers relies on parents and carers. Help as an Age Manager or Assistant, with water safety, coaching, beach activities, BBQs and events, setting up and packing up, administration or photography. Cheering on your child and other Nippers is welcome too.

You do not need to be an expert. There are opportunities for different interests, skills and availability; the club can explain training or qualifications for particular roles.

No. Competition is completely optional. Carnivals are available for children who would like to compete, with no expectation that every child takes part.

If your child competes, parents and carers are expected to volunteer and contribute to the event’s running and safety. Roles include Water Safety, Age Manager or Assistant, Official, IRB support and other carnival support. Some roles need qualifications or training; the club can explain how to become qualified.

Carnivals offer individual races and team events for U8–U14, matched to each age group. U8 Nippers compete only in beach events and shallow-water wades; they do not compete in surf swim or board events.

Beach Sprint is a flat-sand sprint, typically 70 m. Beach Run covers 1–2 km depending on the age group. In Beach Flags, Nippers start lying on the sand facing away from the water, then turn and sprint at the whistle to claim a limited number of flags.

Wade Race: U8 only, running and wading through waist-deep water. U8 Nippers do not compete in surf swim or board events.

Surf Swim: U9–U14, swimming a designated course beyond the breakers and back to shore.

Board Race: U9–U14, paddling a foam or fibreglass Nipper board around ocean buoys.

Ironperson: U11–U14, an endurance event combining multiple legs.

Relays include beach sprints, U8 wades and U9–U14 board paddling.

Board Rescue is a two-person rescue race for U11–U14.

Cameron Relay is a four-person relay for U9–U14 with swimming, board paddling and beach running legs.

March Past is a traditional team event where club members march in formation to music around a course, carrying club flags and reels.