The Nipper program is run on Sunday mornings from April to October between the hours of 0930 and 1130 at both the nearby swimming pool &  Palm Cove beach. Training involves both land based and water based activities. Cairns SLSC Club days are the foundation from which we build basic surf skills, competition skills and awards knowledge. Each Sunday morning, between April and October, Cairns SLSC nippers gather to learn the skills necessary to handle themselves in the surf. The aims of the Sunday activities are:

  • Instruction in surf safety & surf awareness
  • Lifesaving & first aid skill development
  • Competitive sport activities
  • Platform to senior beach patrolling duties
  • Enjoyable social activity for children & parents

In the Under 6 and Under 7 age groups, members are given a non-competitive understanding of Surf Life Saving through fun and games. They meet in season on Sunday at the Surf Club Palm Cove for activities from 9.30am.

Each age group has an Age Manager with one or two assistants. The manager is responsible for the education, training and organisation of the group. As the ages increase, the nippers are gradually taught to assist others who may be in difficulty. This training leads to children obtaining their Resuscitation Certificate in the Under 13s, gaining their Surf Rescue Certificate at 13 and their Bronze Medallion at 15.

The Cairns SLSC Junior Activities are controlled by the Junior Activities Committee which meets regularly to discuss future planning and current operations. All members and parents are welcome to attend and contribute at these meetings.

If you require any further information please contact the Club Junior Activities Co-ordinator (JAC) jac@cairnssurfclub.com.au 

Nipper Adult Assistant (NAA)

The NAA is to provide a non-fitness orientated position to allow members to contribute to the beach and aquatic supervision of our youngest nippers (U6 – U8 age groups). Nipper Adult Assistants are qualified to provide water supervision for wading and ‘shallow water’ activities to the age appropriate depth.

For further info click on this link

1.NAA PROCESS FLOWCHART (V7 MARCH 2023)

Junior Training

The Cairns Club offers a healthy competitive atmosphere for the nippers, with interclub carnivals available throughout the season. The nippers are coached in the necessary skills for events such as the Beach Sprint, Beach Flags, the shallow and deep water wade race, surf swim, board race and the Iron Man. Coaching is carried out on the Sunday morning nipper days, starting at 9.30am sharp at Palm Cove. Further nipper coaching sessions are offered to the more advanced nippers as the season progresses. With all junior age groups, a parent or guardian must join the club as a member as well.

Juniors Signing In and Out

ALL Juniors MUST be Signed in/off at the start/completion of Nipper training. Each Age Group will have a folder with a sign in sheets. This is a requirement of our insurance and it is a good check to know who is at the beach for nippers each day. Also age managers can give out any information that needs to be handed out to the parents.

Green Caps (Under 6 & Under 7 Age Groups)

The U6 & U7 age groups (Greencaps) at the Cairns SLSC are a fun based category with lots of games and activities for the kids to take part in.We also need as much help as possible from the parents & guardians in these age groups to make the surf activities are both safe and enjoyable.

Age Groups