Invy Nippers back in action

By Aiden Box

INVERLOCH Surf Life Saving Club’s ‘Nippers’ program is back and in full swing at Inverloch Surf Beach, with plenty of youngsters getting amongst the sand and waves and having tons of fun. 

With over 200 registered nippers taking to the surf, the program is thriving, and Inverloch SLSC community relations director Ione McKenzie spoke to the Sentinel-Times last week with pride when explaining just what goes on.

“We have 225 children participating in our nippers program this season and nippers is a water safety program for juniors, with age groups ranging from under six to under 13,” she said.

“Children learn all different types of safety skills so that they know where and when it’s safe to go into the water and the program builds their skills over time.

“When they’re little they start with running around on the sand and having fun on the beach; learning about being safe at the beach; sun safety and being aware of the natural environment.

“Each year they build on their skillset, learning to use boards and rescue tubes, in preparation to become lifesavers… if that is what they would like to do.”

The Inverloch SLSC also has 50 teens and young adults supporting the nippers by participating as water safety, many of these young people have graduated from nippers and are now qualified life savers.  

“We really appreciate the involvement of our water safety team, not only is it a requirement to have them in the water looking out for the nippers, but it is also fantastic to see our former nippers staying involved in lifesaving and helping to develop the skills of our future patrollers,” McKenzie said. 

The program began last Wednesday, December 28, and will run until January 6, with a Bass Coast Nippers Carnival being held at Cape Paterson SLSC on the January 7 at 9am. 

McKenzie explained the importance of the program and why it’s so great for the many kids who get involved. 

“It’s particularly important now with lots of kids having missed two years of swimming lessons and having lost some confidence and fitness in the aquatic environment,” she said. 

“The nippers build the skills and confidence they need to be safe in the water and learn to understand conditions, and their own strengths and limitations within different conditions.”

The program also teaches children how to render assistance based on their own skillset, as McKenzie touched on. 

“It is super important for people to understand how to best help someone in trouble, for juniors that is knowing who to call for help, and what they need to tell the person who answers,” she said. 

“As they get older, it is understanding that unless you are properly equipped and skilled, calling for help is still the best and safest way to help.”

Surf lifesaving also offers opportunities for individuals to develop skills that are not necessarily specific to being a volunteer patroller. 

Club members are eligible to participate in a variety of free training opportunities, including leadership programs as McKenzie explained. 

“The great thing about life saving, that isn’t particularly obvious from the outside, is there are some really great leadership pathways with LSV (Life Saving Victoria) offering leadership development camps and programs from very junior ages up to seniors,” she said. 

“Two of our members recently received LSV Governance Scholarships which will provide them with governance and board member development through the Governance Institute of Australia,

“This is a great example of one of the opportunities offered through life saving that are not obvious when you’re looking at a big group of kids on a beach.”

McKenzie encouraged anyone who wants to get involved to do so – and stressed new members are always welcome. 

Nippers registrations have closed for the current season but are taken in October/November each year. 

Nippers and surf lifesaving is a terrific way to get out and enjoy the summer, but neither could happen without plenty of help from the community and McKenzie finished by giving her thanks. 

“We’ve got lots of volunteers which makes a massive difference to how well the season can go, so I’d love to thank all of our volunteers, there’s a lot of organising that goes into it,” she said. 

“We rely on parents, our older kids who stay involved through water safety, and a raft of other volunteers, 

“I would also like to thank our sponsors, the club doesn’t run itself financially - we rely on donations and sponsorship, so I’d like to thank all those people who contribute.” 

The Club’s ‘Deck Bar’ will be open daily from 4pm until January 29 and with the kiosk also open daily from 7am until 3pm. 

If you would like to find out more about the Inverloch Surf Life Saving Club, you can visit the website www.islsc.org.au.