Woodside Nippers & Youth
Join the Broome Surf Life Saving Club, and become a part of a fun active community, and experience a great Australian weekend tradition.
Surf Life Saving WA’s Woodside Nippers is a national junior surf awareness and beach safety program for kids 5-12 years old and is a great way to make new friends, gain water confidence and develop vital surf skills!
Our Youth members are 13-16 years old, and are the future leaders of the surf life saving movement and our club, thus we want to provide opportunities for them to learn and develop new skills to become better surf lifesavers and contribute to our local Broome community.
Our Nipper and Youth programs represents the future of our surf lifesavers and introduces children to the beach in a safe, fun and educational way.
About the Programs
The Woodside Nippers & Youth programs combines education, fitness, and surf sport activities, helping children build confidence, resilience, teamwork and community spirit - and is their first steps towards becoming one of our future Broome Surf Life Savers.
Each week, Nippers and Youth will progressively develop skills across four key areas:
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Individual Safety: Recognising risks and making safe choices at the beach and in everyday life.
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Surf Awareness: Learning to read the surf, identify hazards and understand ocean conditions.
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Lifesaving Skills: Building foundations in rescue techniques, first aid and teamwork.
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Surf Sport Skills: Developing swimming, running, board, flags, and beach event skills in a supportive environment.
Broome SLSC follows the SLSWA Nippers Program Curriculum, with proficiency evaluations and competition proficiencies conducted in accordance with the requirements of SLSWA. Sessions are inclusive and fun, with a healthy mix of participation and friendly competition.
For those interested in racing, Nippers and Youth provides pathways into local, regional and state surf sport competitions.
Broome Surf Life Saving Club (BSLSC) is proud to deliver the Woodside Nippers Program in Broome Western Australia, at our iconic Cable Beach.
With near perfect weather and calm water conditions for the season, it's one of the best beaches in the world for Nippers and Youth to learn about beach and water safety.
Nippers and Youth sessions run every Sunday morning 8:30am to 10am during the clubs May to September season. Sessions are followed by a traditional sausage sizzle on the club house lawn. This is a great way to meet other families and members of the Club!
Essential Nippers Information
ON SUNDAYS
We meet Nippers on the beach, approximately 100m south of the stairs/ramp that are in front of the club house. Please arrive around 8:20am and check in. Nippers starts at 8:30am sharp. U6 and U7 age groups finish 9:40am, all other age groups finish at 10am.
WEEKLY ROSTER
Each week an age group is rostered on for club duties;
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Set Up and Pack Down
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BBQ and kiosk sales
Check the Nippers Calendar for your age group dates and ensure your rostered dates and club duties are fulfilled.
YOUTH PROGRAM
The Youth program commences in June and runs alongside Nippers on Sundays from 9am-10:30am.
Further information for Youth available soon.
Key Program Dates
KEY 2026 DATES
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Sun 22 March: Club Open Day & Registration Day @ 8.30am-12noon
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Sun 3 May: Come & Sea - Trial Day @ 8.30am-10am
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Sun 17 May: First Nippers & Youth Session @ 8.30am-10am
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Sun 13 Sep: Last Nippers & Youth Session @ 8.30am-10am
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Sun 20 Sep: Nippers & Youth Wind Up
PROPOSED 2027 DATES - TBA
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Club Open Day & Registration Day @ 8.30am-12noon
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Nipper & Youth Proficiency Day // Welcome Back Party @ 8.30am-11am
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First Nippers & Youth Session @ 8.30am-10am
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Last Nippers & Youth Session // Wind Up @ 8.30am-12noon
Across most of Australia, Surf Life Saving Club seasons runs during Summer from October to March - however in Broome and the North West, due to the monsoonal weather conditions, our Surf Life Saving Club seasons proceeds this and runs during the Dry Season (Winter) from May to September.
Age Groups
The age group for the season is determined as of midnight on 30th September.
Listed below are the age groups children will be in for the coming 2026 season:
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U13s: If your child is born between 30/09/2014 (youngest) + 01/10/2013 (oldest)
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U12s: If your child is born between 30/09/2015 (youngest) + 01/10/2014 (oldest)
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U11s: If your child is born between 30/09/2016 (youngest) + 01/10/2015 (oldest)
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U10s: If your child is born between 30/09/2017 (youngest) + 01/10/2016 (oldest)
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U9s: If your child is born between 30/09/2018 (youngest) + 01/10/2017 (oldest)
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U8s: If your child is born between 30/09/2019 (youngest) + 01/10/2018 (oldest)
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U7s: If your child is born between 30/09/2020 (youngest) + 01/10/2019 (oldest)
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U6s: If your child is born between 30/09/2021 (youngest) + 01/10/2020 (oldest)
If your child is born on or after 01/10/2021 unfortunately they will not be old enough to participate in the Woodside Nippers program this season.
If you still aren’t sure use the age calculator to check your age bracket!
How do I register?
All Woodside Nipper registrations must be completed through the official online Surf Life Saving Hub (SLS Hub).
Need help registering?
Use this step-by-step guides to walk you through the process for new nipper registrations and nipper renewals.
Forgot login details?
If you can't remember your username or password, please follow the SLS Hub "Forgot Password" instructions here.
Of course, if you’re still stuck, reach out - we’re happy to help.
Important Information
There are 10 structured class sessions each season, along with a number of competition weekends, and a few "No Go" weekends due to special dates, school holidays, or long weekends - refer to the calendar for full details.
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A parent or guardian must sign up with any child/children participating in the Woodside Nippers program.
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Please check the date range table on this page below to see what age group your child/children will be in and their allocated skull-cap colours.
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Children participating in the U8s to U13s program will be required to complete a basic skills proficiency test at the start of each new season (detailed info below).
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The Nippers Season Handbook contains all the information you may need to know and should be read ahead of the first class.
Swim Proficiency & Assessments
At the beginning of the season, a short swim assessment is conducted. These assessments ensure children can participate safely in the ocean environment and surf club activities.
Preliminary evaluations are a risk management procedure to appraise the swimming capabilities of participants and must be done as part of our club’s duty of care.
Preliminary evaluations must be successfully completed before your child can participate in any water based activities.
Please note it is not the aim of Broome SLSC to teach children how to swim. We strongly recommend all children participate in regular swimming lessons.
For U8s and above, children must complete a swim proficiency to participate in water activities.
Required Swim Proficiency:
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U8: 25m (any stroke) + 1 minute survival float
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U9: 25m (any stroke) + 1 minute survival float
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U10: 25m (freestyle) + 1½ minute survival float
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U11: 50m (freestyle) + 2 minute survival float
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U12: 100m (freestyle) + 2 minute survival float
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U13: 150m (freestyle) + 3 minute survival float
Children participating in the U6 and U7 age groups will complete their preliminary evaluation at their first beach session.
It's a Team Effort
The Woodside Nippers Program is a national Surf Life Saving initiative and an important part of Surf Life Saving throughout Australia. It represents the future of our surf lifesavers and introduces young Australians to the beach in a safe, fun and educational way.
Parents & Carers Involvment
The activities each week at our Woodside Nippers program rely on our parents/carers getting involved and helping out - and we promise you’ll have as much fun as our Nippers do!
We encourage you to talk to your Nipper’s Age Group Manager or Club Manager to see where you can best help out.
Some of the ways you can get involved include becoming a;
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Official Age Group Manager
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Official Parent Helper to Age Group Managers
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Qualified Foundation Coach
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Qualified Water Safety Personnel
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Qualified Competition Official
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Helping record results
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Helping with Nippers set up and pack down
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Helping with the Nippers BBQ, fruit or kiosk duties
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Helping with uniforms and merchandise
Training provided. Your volunteering will be an example to your own children and will greatly assist the club.
Parents/carers involvement is essential to the safe and successful running of the Nippers program.
National Water Safety requirements mandate:
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1 water safety person per 5 juniors in the water
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1:1 ratio for U6's and U7's
This means most parents will be required to assist in the water - please come prepared wearing appropriate bathers.
1. You will get wet - please wear your swimming gear!
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You will be expected to assist your child in the water activities in the younger age groups while they learn to be more proficient in the surf.
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The older age groups require water safety people to be able to complete water activities.
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It’s easy and gives you a close up of how well your kids are doing in the water. Just ask your age manager how to get involved!
2. At least one parent or guardian will need to stay for the entire session.
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This is an OHS requirement to make sure we keep all of the kids safe at the beach!
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If you are unable to stay if you have more than 1 child in different age groups, please speak with your age manager to discuss a solution.
3. You will be expected to volunteer for at least one of the activities on the volunteer sheet.
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If you aren’t confident at the beach activities the BBQ roster is always a safe bet!
4. If your child has used a piece of equipment during the session, please grab any piece of equipment and take it up to the sheds, hose it off and put it away.
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This makes sure the equipment is kept in good condition and there is enough for all children to use.
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If you’re not sure where to put something back – ask any of the age managers or assistants.
5. Please put your hand up to do the small things, put flags out, help to count the places the kids come over the line, record names, round up children at carnivals – all of this helps out so much.
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If you’re not sure what you can do to assist, just ask your Age Manager they will let you know with a big grin!
6. Please make sure your child has sunscreen, rash vest, their age cap and fluro yellow high-vis rashie/vest for every session!
7. Make sure you like our club facebook page and join our Nippers group on Facebook for all information throughout the season.
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Facebook Page – Broome Surf Life Saving Club
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Facebook Group – Broome SLSC Woodside Nippers
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eNewsletter - Broome SLSC Wavelength eNewsletter
8. Lastly have fun watching your child learn and have fun with their peers.
Lifelong friendships are made at the club. We encourage you to come to social events, enjoy a sausage sizzle on the lawn after Sunday activities and get to know your fellow Clubbies!
FAQs
1 / How old does my child have to be?
Broome SLSC welcomes children aged 5-13 years into the Woodside Nippers Program. The Youth Program welcomes 13-16 year olds.
Children MUST be 5 years of age to be registered and permitted to participate in any SLS activities.
Age for a season is determined as at 30th September at the commencement of that season. A child’s age group for the season is their age as at midnight 30th September. This is also their competitive age if participating at inter-club carnivals and junior state championships. The U8 age group and above are eligible to compete at inter-club and state carnivals.
For example, John turned 9 on the 28th August this year – John is therefore registered as an Under 10. Emma turned 9 on the 2nd October this year – Emma is therefore registered as an Under 9.
2 / Do the children have to wear club bathers?
Club bathers are not essential for regular Nipper or Youth sessions but are required for inter-club competition days.
At Nippers and Youth, board shorts are discouraged due to safety (stingers, rashes) and restricted leg movement. Lycra swim shorts/jammers are ideal.
Club bathers and merchandise can be purchased throughout the season. Pop-up merchandise stores run at the start of the season and at special events. Some merchandise is available on the club website shop, however its best to contact the club admin team for the latest stock, availabilities, and prices.
3 / What's typical Nippers or Youth session like?
Nippers are split into age groups, were as Youth tend to be one small group all togeter, and participate in activities such as:
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Surf safety theory
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Sprints and relays
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Beach flags races
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Swims and wades
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Board paddling (U9s and up)
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Team games
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Patrol shelter and club house tours
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Introductory rescue and teamwork activities
BSLSC follows the SLSWA Nippers Program and Youth Curriculum, with proficiency evaluations and competition proficiencies conducted in accordance with the requirements of SLSWA.
4 / Why are your Surf Club season dates different?
Across most of Australia, Surf Life Saving Club seasons runs during Summer from October to March - however in Broome and the North West, due to the monsoonal weather conditions, our Surf Life Saving Club season proceeds this and runs during the Dry Season (Winter in Perth) from May to September which is similar conditions to a Perth Summer.