Join Nippers
Fun, friendship and water safety
Bay & Basin Community Nippers is a fun, non-competitive program where children learn important water and beach safety skills, build confidence and make new friends. Our focus is on helping children become safer and more confident around the water while having fun and being part of our Nippers community.
Whether your child is already confident in the water or is still developing their skills, Nippers is a great way to learn, get active and enjoy our beautiful local environment.
Who Can Join?
Bay & Basin Community Nippers welcomes children from Under 6 through to Under 13.
Children participate in age-based groups, with activities and skills tailored to their age and ability.
Our younger Nippers focus on becoming comfortable and confident around the water, while older age groups progressively develop their swimming, board, beach and water-safety skills.
Not sure which age group your child belongs in? Our Registrations page has more information about age groups and preliminary skills assessments.
Where We Meet
You'll find us at Plantation Point Reserve, Vincentia, near the all-access ramp at Nelson Beach (the pink star indicates our meeting area).
It's a beautiful, protected location that gives our Nippers the opportunity to develop their skills in a supportive environment.
Meeting time: Sundays from 9:45 am for a 10:00 am start.
Families should allow time to arrive, sign in and get their Nippers ready before the session begins.
What Happens on a Nippers Day?
Each Sunday begins with sign-in and a short welcome before Nippers head off with their Age Managers for their activities.
Depending on their age and conditions on the day, activities can include:
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Water and beach safety
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Swimming and wading
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Board skills
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Beach games and activities
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Flags and beach sprints
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Floating and survival skills
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Teamwork and confidence-building activities
Activities are adapted to suit the age group, conditions and abilities of the children.
We're a Community Nippers Club, so our focus is participation, learning and having fun — not competition.
How Long Do Sessions Run?
Our younger Nippers have shorter sessions, with session times increasing as children get older.
Under 6: approximately 45 minutes
Under 7: approximately 1 hour
Under 8–Under 13: approximately 1½ hours
Sessions may be adjusted depending on weather, water conditions or planned activities.
What Does It Cost?
We aim to keep Nippers affordable for local families.
Your Nippers membership includes registration and insurance, a Nippers cap, end-of-season medal and the resources used throughout the program.
A club rash shirt is also required and can be purchased through the club.
Adult volunteers also register with Surf Life Saving NSW so they are covered while helping with Nippers.For current membership and uniform fees, please see our Registrations page.
Parents & Carers Are Part of Nippers Too
Bay & Basin Community Nippers is a volunteer-run club, and parents and carers are an important part of making each Sunday happen.
A parent or responsible adult must remain at Nippers while their child participates.
There are plenty of ways to get involved, from helping an Age Manager and assisting with equipment or the BBQ to becoming a committee member and taking on key leadership roles.
You don't need to be a lifesaver or an experienced swimmer to help. Training and support are available for many of our volunteer roles.
Ready to Join Us?
We'd love to welcome your family to Bay & Basin Community Nippers.
Registration and preliminary skills assessments are held before the start of each Nippers season. Our Registration page explains what you need to do, while Key Dates has the latest dates for registration, the start of Nippers and other club activities.
An Age Group will be rostered each week to help with the BBQ and pack-up. A BBQ coordinator will purchase the supplies. Roles on the day include setting up the marquee and equipment, cooking sausages, serving sausages, cashier, and pack up/clean up.