Nipper Training
Our Nippers training season takes place over the two summer school terms (October to April), with breaks for Christmas holidays.
Training takes place irrespective of weather conditions.
Where does Nippers take place?
Nippers and their parents will meet at the Fish Hoek Surf Lifesaving Club. Training will take place on the beach directly in front of the club, with the Nippers being broken into seperate arenas depending on their age-groups.
When does Nipper training take place?
- Sundays starting Mid-October:
- 10:30 – 12:30 for u9 – u14 Nippers
- 09:00 – 10:00 for Starfish and MicroNippers
- Tuesdays: 5:30pm to 6:30pm for u9 – u14 QUALIFIED Nippers only, starting Mid-October
- Thursdays: 5:30pm to 6:30pm for u9 – u14 QUALIFIED Nippers only, starting January
Due to COVID-19 Lockdown Levels, our Nippers training schedule has been updated:
Open Days Sunday Training beginning mid October:
MicroNippers and Starfish – 09:00am to 10:00am
U9/10 – 10:30am to 12:00pm
U11/12 – 10:30am to 12:00pm
U13/14 – 09:00am to 10:30am
Sunday Training from November:
MicroNippers and Starfish – 09:00am to 10:00am
U9/10 – 10:30am to 12:00pm
U11/12 – 10:30am to 12:00pm
U13/14 – 10:30am to 12:00pm
Weekday Training for u9 – u14 QUALIFIED Nippers beginning mid October :
Tuesday 5:30pm to 6:30pm
Weekday Training for u9 – u14 QUALIFIED Nippers beginning January :
Thursday 5:30pm to 6:30pm
It is advisable to get to the club early in order to begin training promptly.
What are the age-groups?
The lifesaving year begins on 1 October, unlike our school year. Your child’s age group is determined by their age on the 1st October.
Nippers train in one of five categories:
Starfish: Very basic introduction to Nippers for 5 to 6 year olds
Micro-Nippers: Some swimming and board-work, as well as basic safety and first aid for 6 to 8 year olds
U9 & 10 Nippers: Skills training social nippers, who are aged 8 (U9) or 9 (U10) on the 1st of October.
U11 & 12 Nippers: Skills training social nippers, who are aged 10 (U11) or 11 (U12) on the 1st of October.
U13 & 14 Nippers: Skills training social nippers, who are aged 12 (U13) or 13 (U14) on the 1st of October.
Children who are aged 14 on the 1st of October, move up to the Junior section of the lifesaving club, and no longer fall under the Nipper section.
What is needed?
- Swimsuit and towel
- Swim Cap and goggles (if needed)
- Wetsuit (not compulsory for training, but recommended for the cooler water)
- Warm clothes for after training
- Water bottle and sunblock
Skull Caps
We require our nippers to wear coloured skull caps during training so that our safety officers can see them more easily with brightly coloured caps on. “NO cap/NO training”. The caps are colour coded per age group so that it is easier for the coaches and parents to spot the different age groups. Skull caps will be available at the start of each session and must be returned at the end of the session.
- Micro-Nippers: All colours depending on ability
- U9 & 10 Nippers: Yellow cap (Qualified Nippers) and Blue cap (Unqualified Nippers)
- U11 & 12 Nippers: Pink cap (Qualified Nippers) and Purple cap (Unqualified Nippers)
- U13 & 14 Nippers: Orange cap (Qualified Nippers) and Green cap (Unqualified Nippers)
Parent / Guardian Requirements
Parents are requested to stay on the beach – your children need your support!
Starfish and Micro-Nippers must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.
Age-group Nippers parents or guardians must be present and available at all times during the training sessions.
Nippers is not a baby-sitting service or drop and go.
Parents are welcome to sit on the beach and watch, or bring a wetsuit and join in the fun.
