Point Lookout Junior Activities or “Nippers” is a family club that teaches children to safely enjoy the beach and surf
Membership is open to children aged from 5 to 13 (as at 30 September each season).
Nippers are future lifesavers and are taught all lifesaving skills in a fun environment.
Activities include beach events, surf swimming and boards. Older children are also taught CPR and rescue techniques. Nippers can also compete in carnivals against other surf clubs.
NIPPERS
Fun for the entire family
Nippers runs every Saturday from October to March at Main Beach or Cylinder Beach on beautiful North Stradbroke Island. With two stunning beaches to choose from, we can always find the best conditions for training each week.
Point Lookout Nippers is as easy as 1, 2, 3:
- Getting There
Meet at the Stradbroke Ferries Terminal in Cleveland at 6:30am for the 7am barge departure. Transport is provided on the barge and by bus to and from the beach, Clubhouse, and return barge.
Island families can check the Stack Team app each Saturday morning for the training location and be ready on the beach for an 8:45am start. - On the Beach
Nippers join their age groups for training with qualified Age Group Leaders. After lunch, there’s time to relax, practice new skills, and enjoy the beach with family and friends. - Heading Home
The day wraps up with the 2pm barge back to Cleveland. Kids enjoy snacks on the trip home while parents unwind and socialise over refreshments, the perfect end to a great day by the sea.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Join the fun
Family Memberships
Seasonal family memberships are available, with discounted rates for those actively involved in club patrols.
Program Fees
Nipper Program fees are $120 per child (capped at three children per family) and include all family transport costs. Fees are reviewed each season.
Safety First
Your child’s safety is our top priority. Before attending beach Nipper days, all participants must complete an age-appropriate swimming competency test as required by SLSQ. Nippers must also wear the official club uniform – shirt, hi-vis singlet, togs, and noddy cap.
Get Involved
We love seeing parents take part! Whether it’s helping with lunch, supporting water safety, or becoming an official at carnivals, there’s a role for everyone. Parents can also earn lifesaving awards such as the Bronze Medallion, opening the door to becoming an Age Group Leader or Water Safety personnel.
Be Part of the Community
Members can join regular or volunteer beach patrols, building skills and friendships along the way. Saturdays are all about surf education, skill development, and enjoying the sun, sand, and community spirit that make Point Lookout so special. After all, life is the beach!
PROFICIENCIES
Pool evaluations must be completed prior to attending the first beach day at Nippers.
| Age | Pool Evaluation | Beach Evaluation | Carnival Proficiency |
| U6 | Back or front float for minimum of 5 seconds, recover to stand.Submerge to touch the bottom with hands.From standing position in waist deep water, perform a front glide (1-2 metres) & recover to stand. | N/A | N/A |
| U7 | Back or front float for a minimum of 10 second, recover to stand.Submerge to touch the bottom with hands.From standing positon in waist deep water, perform a front glide (2-3 metres) & recover to stand. | N/A | N/A |
| U8 | Back or front float for a minimum of 15 seconds, recover to stand.Submerge to touch the bottom with hands.Swim on front any stroke (distance 20 metres) followed by a swim underwater (distance 2-3 metres). | 25m run – 25m wade – 25m run | 25m run – 25m wade – 25m run |
| U9 | Front to back float or back to front float – 5 seconds each side. Tread water and / or any stroke sculling for minimum 1 minute.Sumberge to touch the bottom with hands.Swim on front through water any stroke for 25 metres followed by survivial stroke(s) breastroke and/or sidestroke and/or back sculling for minimum 10 metres | 50m run – 50m swim – 50m run | 150m open water swim |
| U10 | Front to back float or back to front float – 5 seconds each side.Tread water and / or any stroke sculling for minimum 1 minute.Submerge to couch the bottom with hands.Swim on front through water any stroke for 25 metres followed by survival stroke(s) breaststroke and/or sidestroke and/or back sculling for minimum 25 metres. | 50m run – 50m swim – 50m run | 150m open water swim |
| U11 | Front to back float or back to front float, 5 seconds each side. Tread water and/or any stroke sculling for minimum of 2 mins.Submerge to perform forward or backward roll/somersault.Swim on front through water any stroke for 25 metres followed by survival stroke(s) breaststroke and/or sidestroke and/or sidestroke and/or back sculling for minimum 50 metres. | 50m run – 100m swim – 50m run | 200m open water swim |
| U12 | Front to back float or back to front float – 5 sec each side. Tread water and/or any stroke sculling for minimum 3 minutes.Submerge to perform forward or backward roll/somersault underwater, recover to surface, submerge to touch the bottom with hands.Swim on front any stroke for 75 metres followed by survival stroke(s) breaststroke and or sidestroke for minimum 50 metres. | 50m run – 100m swim – 50m run | 200m open water swim |
| U13 | Front to back float or back to front float – 5 sec each side. Tread water and/or any stroke sculling for minimum 3 minutes.Submerge to perform forward or backward roll/somersault underwater, recover to surface, submerge to touch the bottom with hands.Swim on front through water any stroke for 100 metres followed by survival stroke(s) breaststroke and/or sidestroke for minimum 50m. | 100m run – 100m swim – 100m run | 200m open water swim |
| U14 | Front to back float or back to front float – 5 sec each side. Tread water and/or any stroke sculling for minimum 3 minutes.Submerge to perform forward or backward roll/somersault underwater, do not recover to surface, submerge to touch the bottom with hands.Swim on front through water any stroke for 100 metres followed by survival stroke(s) breaststroke and/or sidestroke for minimum 100 metres. | 100m run – 100m swim – 100m run | 200m open water swim |
Water Safety
Water Safety personnel play an integral role in the Junior Activities Surf Education Program. Without them, participants could not enter the water.
The role of the Water Safety personnel is to look out for Nipper’s welfare, support and encourage them while in the water and should anything happen to them, be there to perform a rescue or to administer first aid.
Who can be Water Safety personnel?
Water Safety is a fun and rewarding activity for members who are least 13 years old. It’s especially popular with parents of Nippers, and teenagers who have graduated from the Nippers program.
How to join Water Safety
To join Water Safety, you must hold a Surf Rescue Certificate or Bronze Medallion. The club holds training courses throughout the season. Members are eligible to sign up for any courses at no cost. Courses will be advertised closer to the dates.
Nippers Frequently Asked Questions
The age group that your child will be in is calculated to be the age they are as at 30 September the year you are joining. For example, if your child was 11 on 30 September (turning 12 on 5 October) they are classed as being in the under 12 age group (even though they are 12).
- Each age group is assigned a volunteer age manager and assistant, who are usually parents of Nippers and young lifesaving members.
- At the start of every Saturday morning session, nippers are signed on to confirm their attendance
- Activities are split into 4 zones – Sprint, Swim, Flags and Board. The various age groups are rotated between each zone every 20 or 30 minutes.
- At the end of each Saturday morning session, nippers are signed off.
- Water safety volunteers ensure the safety of nippers while in the water.
- Swimmers
- Age group cap (purchased from club)
- Hi-vis nipper vest (purchased from club)
- Long sleeve t-shirt or rash shirt
- Sun hat
- Towel
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen.
Nippers will only be cancelled in the event of severe weather – it is rare for Nippers to be cancelled. Conditions may call for cancellation of water activities however beach activities and Surf Education may still be on.
Changes to Nipper events will be communicated by both Surfguard and Social Media at the earliest time possible.
We actively encourage strict adherence to SLSQ’s Sun Safety Policy.
There are a wide range of opportunities available for members interested in participating in surf lifesaving sport. Members from U8 to Seniors can compete in carnivals across the Branch. Carnivals will be advertised throughout the season.
Say G'Day! 