Introduction

Woolamai Beach Surf Club is proud to present its annual report for the year 2023-2024. This report encapsulates the achievements, activities, and impact of our Nippers program during the period from Friday 29 December 2023 to Friday 5 January 2024.

Program Overview

Our Nippers program is a cornerstone of the club's activities, focusing on providing surf education, life-saving skills, and fun beach games to children aged 6–13 years. This program not only fosters a love for the beach but also instils confidence, knowledge, and essential skills for safe enjoyment of coastal environments.

Participant Numbers

We are thrilled to report that our Nippers program saw a post Covid era record participation of more than 400 enthusiastic young members during the 2023-2024 season. This substantial increase in participation reflects the growing interest in surf life-saving activities among the youth in our community. We had to knock several families back this season, due to age groups being full.

Program Highlights

Throughout the week-long program, our Nippers enjoyed a range of engaging activities and educational experiences. Some of the highlights included:

Educational Incursions: Nippers had the privilege of learning from experts such as Matt the Marine Biologist and Ranger Graham. These incursions provided valuable insights into marine life, environmental conservation, and general knowledge of the Phillip Island fauna and flora.

Watercraft Experience: Our program featured exciting demonstrations with jet skis and Inflatable Rescue Boats (IRBs) from Woolamai. These experiences not only showcased watercraft operations but also promoted water safety awareness among participants. They are certainly a crowd favourite for all!

Have a Go Day: The culmination of the week was marked by the Have a Go Day, where Nippers showcased their acquired skills and participated in friendly competitions. The event was a testament to the dedication and progress of our young members.

Volunteer Appreciation

The success of our Nippers program would not have been possible without the dedication and support of our community of volunteers. Their tireless efforts in planning, organising, and facilitating activities ensured a safe, enjoyable, and enriching experience for all participants.

Community Impact

By actively engaging over 400 Nippers, Woolamai Beach Surf Club continues its legacy of fostering community spirit and promoting beach safety. Through our program, children not only forge new friendships but also become part of a historic organisation that has served the Australian community for over a century. A particular highlight of this, was receiving an email from a parent of one of our nippers this season, about her helping her friendship group out of a rip. This is such a rewarding part of the program, hearing about our nippers performing the skills in action, to help others and save lives.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the 2023-2024 Nippers program at Woolamai Beach Surf Club has been a resounding success, thanks to the commitment of our volunteers, the enthusiasm of our participants, and the support of the broader community. We look forward to building on this success in the coming year and continuing to nurture a new generation of confident, skilled, and safety-conscious beach enthusiasts.

Jules Hay

Director of Junior development / Nippers

Junior Development / Nippers - Jules Hay