Thousands of children and parents will return to Hunter beaches from this weekend as nippers gets underway.
And, thanks to support from Newcastle Permanent, the iconic beach and water safety program – for kids aged five to 13 – will run most Sundays, from Catherine Hill Bay to Tea Gardens, from October until the end of February.
Chief financial officer and keen surfer Mark Colless said nippers was a vital community initiative that offered personal development skills for young people while making beaches safer.
“It gives children abilities to keep themselves and others safe when at the beach, such as being able to identify rips and rescuing someone in trouble,” he explained.
“Nippers is also the recruitment and training ground for our future surf lifesavers, who patrol our beaches to keep us safe every weekend.
“At Newcastle Permanent, we’re here for the community and nippers benefits everyone in the community.
“The young people I meet are impressive and confident because it gives them teamwork and leadership skills.”
Two youngsters eager to start of the season are brothers Theo, 9, and Sully Moulton, 6.
The Hamilton South boys have been doing nippers at Cooks Hill Surf Club for three and one year respectively.
The family arrived in Australia from England in 2019 and saw it as a way to make connections in the community, while providing the boys surf skills.
Mum Hollie Moulton volunteers as a nippers age manager.
“I look forward to going to nippers because we have fun while learning,” she said.
“My favourite part is going out on the boards and how the age managers teach us water safety and how to read the rip,” Theo added.
“I love nippers because I get to meet new friends and have fun. I love doing the flags the best,” Sully chipped in.
Hunter Surf Life Saving (SLS) branch president Henry Scruton said it took funding and resources to provide surf lifesaving services and programs such as nippers.
“The branch’s 42-year partnership with Newcastle Permanent is vital to our initiatives,” he stated.
“As well as program funding support, the financial organisation supplies surf lifesaving clubs with mandatory hot pink nippers rashies to make it more affordable for families.
“Nippers learn lifesaving and CPR, as well as surf safety, awareness, and rescue skills while completing fun surf sport activities such as catching waves, board paddling, beach sprints and flags.
“It is a fun and healthy activity for parents and kids to do together – and a great way to make new friends.”
Nippers is run across the 13 Hunter SLS clubs from Lake Macquarie to Hawks Nest.
Registrations are still open.
To find your nearest nippers’ outlet, visit www.hsls.org.au.
All clubs accept Active Kids Program vouchers for payment of registration fees.
Every year, Newcastle Permanent invests almost $1.5 million into local communities through its partnerships, employee donations, volunteering and fundraising programs.
This includes support for every surf lifesaving club from the Central Coast to the Queensland border.
