Director of Junior Development | Charles Tuchtan

Approximately 420 Nippers participated in the 2019/20 Woolamai Beach Nippers program. It was a successful season, with low tides, warm weather, and happy children. We thank our Nippers for their boundless energy and contagious smiles, without them we would have no season!

Thank you Ivan Webb for over 1000 amazing photos!

This year 50 dark green Nippers (11-year age group) headed off to Smiths Beach. A strong and experienced Age Manager and Water Safety team, led by Michelle Murphy, applied the surf skills that had previously been taught in the relative safety of Woolamai Waters to the surf conditions at Smith Beach. Feedback from this initiative was positive, and it enabled the Nippers to be better prepared for changing beach conditions.

Twenty Age Managers supported by 34 Assistant Age Managers were coordinated by Kathy O'Keeffe. All 20 Age Managers achieved their LSV Age Manager Award, and our successful compliance with LSV requirements was audited on the beach by LSV staff.

Over the duration of the Nippers program, 74 qualified Woolamai Beach members gave up their time to assist with Water Safety, totaling over 1000 hours of volunteer time. This was coordinated by Stewart Irving. A dedicated team of Doctors, Nurses and First Aiders coordinated by Dr. Anisha Pillay provided medical assistance from the first aid tent.

Three Nippers participated as part of our inclusion program. They were integrated into each age group and supported with individual mentoring.

Nine Nippers came through our bursary program, selected by Principals from schools in San Remo and Newhaven. We are thankful for two anonymous donors, who provided funding for the bursary program this season with donations totaling $1850.

Twenty-five businesses and individuals donated 72 prizes as sponsors of our daily prize draws, coordinated by Donna Brunt. Social events held included our ladies’ night (Champagne & Sunset, 35 attendees), guys’ night (Beer & Burger, 18 attendees), and our helpers’ pizza night (approximately 60 Nippers volunteers and families). At our helper’s night, we said a final thank you to three families who have been heavily involved in supporting and contributing to the Nippers program over many years. The children of these people – Mark and Paula Bain, Donna Brunt and Scott Donnelly, Anisha Pillay and Glenn Vessey, and Hamish and Lisa Derricks – have now graduated from Nippers and look forward to patrolling into the future. We thank them for their wonderful contributions to Nippers.

Despite losing a day of sales due to a total fire ban day, over 4,000 sausages were cooked and sold – thanks to Scott Donnelly and his team of BBQ helpers and the Newhaven-San Remo Lions Club BBQ trailer.

Phillip Island Helicopters flying over the nipper! program

Prior to the season, one hundred A3 posters advertising Woolamai Beach Nippers were posted across Phillip Island and San Remo. Three feature articles about the program were published in local newspapers, and an aerial shot of all Nippers on the beach taken by Phillip Island Helicopters was printed in the Phillip Island Advertiser. The number of Nippers Facebook members was increased, with postings generating content and comment. These promotional activities were conducted by Vicki Tuchtan. Over 1000 images of Nippers in action were taken and made available for use by photographer Ivan Webb.

This season saw one of the best ever final days of Nippers. Dangerous surf conditions meant it could not be held at Woolamai Beach. Initially disappointed they could not spend their last day in the surf and at the clubhouse, our Nippers were instead delighted when the club’s inflatable rescue boat crew and jet ski rescue service paid them a surprise visit at Cleeland Bight Beach. Nippers were treated to a display of rescues and watercraft maneuvers by club patrolling members, including Mark Bain, Hamish Derricks, Terry Aslanidis, Georgie Wettenhall, Nick Reynolds, Alan Hayles, Rhys Bartlett, Adam Guilmartin and others who helped.

Funds were raised from the sale of second-hand gear, thanks to Narelle Campbell. Nippers rashies and Clubbie Clobber was also sold, with popular purchases including bathers, hoodies, tracky dacks, and stubby holders. Thanks to Fiona Blackmore for her work with club merchandise.

Thanks to our major sponsors and community partners for their valuable support. Major sponsors this season included Twisted 8, Smash, San Remo IGA, and Beach Style Renovations. Community partners who assisted during the season included Bass Coast Shire Council, Phillip Island Nature Park, Mitre 10, and the Lions Club of San Remo and Newhaven.

Nippers’ families provided help with setting up and pack up for the season, as well as each day during Nippers. It takes a community of generous volunteers to run a successful Nippers program each year, and we thank them all. A special group worked behind the scenes all year to organize Nippers, and that was our Nippers Committee. These people put in countless hours to ensure the season ran smoothly, and a final thanks to the committee members for 2019/2020: Alex Webster, Bre Goodger-McGrath, Donna Brunt, Jason Close, Jeremy Goodger, Kathryn O’Keefe, Michelle Murphy, and Vicki Tuchtan.