NCSLSC Woodside Nippers Program
Woodside Nippers is as much about surf skills, as it is about making friends, building confidence and being part of an enduring Australian Tradition.
What is Nippers?
Woodside Nippers is Surf Life Saving WA’s junior surf program that introduces children, aged 5 to 12, to surf lifesaving.
Held on Sunday mornings from November to March, North Cottesloe’s Woodside Nippers Program is a fun, outdoor activity that grows a child’s confidence; teaches valuable skills and lessons about beach safety; and provides a fun and safe environment to get outside and enjoy our coast. Woodside Nippers is a great opportunity for children to be introduced to an active, friendly, and tight-knit local community – as well as building valuable life skills that will accompany them into adulthood.
Our Nippers run, swim, laugh, and make new friends. It’s what we call serious fun!
Not only will your child have fun and meet new friends through the program, they will also be exposed to lifesaving beach patrols as well as a wide range of surf sports. At the completion of the program, when your child finishes the Under 13 Program, they will be equipped to gain their Surf Rescue Certificate and should they wish, they can become a qualified surf lifesaver who can patrol our beaches and provide a service to the community.
Woodside Nipper Sessions at North Cottesloe
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Little Nippers
Little nippers age groups range from Under 6 (U6) to Under 9 (U9).
U6 and U7 will focus on play, participation and fun with beach activities and games. They will also learn about basic beach safety practices; what makes up a beach environment; the importance of having an adult with them at the beach; what a lifesaver is and what they do; wading, dolphin diving, board paddling, beach sprinting and flags. -
Big Nippers
Big Nippers incorporates children aged in Under 10 (U10) to Under 13 (U13) age categories. Nippers graduating from the U13 Age Category will progress to the NCSLSC Cadets Program.
U8 to U13 Nippers will focus on surf education, flag races, beach sprints, surf swim, iron man and board events which will be subject to beach conditions. Nippers is about learning, fun and friendly competition.
KEY NIPPER DATES
2026
13 September - New Nipper Registration Day
18 October - Nipper Proficiency Swim
1 November - Big Nippers start @ 9.20 am
15 November - Little Nippers start @ 8.15 am
20 December - Final Nippers before Break
2027
17 January - Nippers Return
20 March - Under 13 Nipper Sleepover
21 March - Final Day of Nippers
CARNIVALS & SURF SPORTS
2026 and 2027
Friday 27 November -
Sunset Nipper Carnival - NCSLSC
Sunday 6 December
Big Nipper Carnival #1 - Sorrento Beach
Sunday 13 December
Little Nipper Carnival #1 - Quinns Beach
Sunday 10 January
Big Nipper Carnival #2
Sunday 17 of January
Little Nipper Carnival #2
Saturday 6 February and Sunday 7 February -
Big Nipper Champs Qualifiers - Leighton Beach
20 February
Little Nipper Championships - Leighton Beach
27 and 28 February and 1 March
Big Nipper Championships - Trigg Island
North Cottesloe SLSC is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our club. We follow Surf Life Saving Australia policies and procedures to address risks to child safety and to establish child safe culture and practices in line with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.