Role of Nippers just as relevant after 50 seasons

THIS year marks five decades of Surf Life Saving Queensland’s Nippers program.

Fifty years of teaching children how to swim, how to communicate, how to stay fit.

And 50 years of encouraging whole families – mothers, fathers, sisters, uncles, grandfathers – to take part in the sport of saving lives.

So here’s where they’ve been and this is where they’re headed.

NIPPERS: THE BEGINNING

FIFTY years ago, Nippers was officially born at Burleigh Heads through a sporting tournament. Nippers – aged five to 14 – took part in competitions designed to test their athletic ability.

State junior activities adviser Ray Fien says it’s interesting to see how the Nippers program has changed over the decades to include more people and ensure everyone was getting the best out of the program.

Originally, kids were recruited at a young age to train as lifesavers, with a focus on ensuring they were physically fit. They took part in weekly trials during the season, such as surf and board races, beach sprints and ironman races.

“Nippers was brought in to be a nursery for future lifesavers,” Mr Fien said.

“And to this day, it’s still doing it, and doing a bloody good job.”

Back in the day, they used wooden surf boats to paddle in the water and there were no IRBs. A belt reel was used to winch troubled swimmers to safety – and when it all began, Nippers would drag all the equipment they needed down to the beach by hand.

And there were no girls or women taking part at the start.

“Originally it was just the fathers and the sons,” he said.

He said women were allowed to join in 1981. It was a relatively smooth transition.

And when Nippers first began, there were just nine clubs operating, including two northern NSW clubs, Fingal and Cudgen Headland, under the SLSC Queensland banner – a small number compared to the 24 of today.

Tweed Heads and Coolangatta was the first club to begin on the Gold Coast, with Southport following close behind.

The red and yellow flags haven’t changed since their inception after WWI, when they were used in the trenches.

A few years ago, the slogan “it’s a little ripper to be a Nipper” was also resurrected.

NIPPERS NOW

SAFETY improvements and a focus on educating their “nursery’’ of young people characterises Nippers today.

Sunscreen is now also a Nipper’s best friend, as are pink rashies so their fellow members can easily spot them when they’re out in the ocean.

The program focuses on the 3 Fs: Fun, Family and Friends.

And while women had a de-

layed start, they now make up 49 per cent of Queensland members, and Nippers make up 30 per cent.

Last year, 5276 kids on the Gold Coast participated, making up almost half of all Queensland Nipper numbers.

One of the biggest changes from years gone by is the inclusivity of the program.

“It’s more like activities of fun games, but still using skills,” Mr Fien said.

“We might have some kids out on the water being ‘rescued’ by the other kids on the boards, instead of just doing beach flags and then sitting there for 20 minutes after getting knocked out. Now we go straight into water play so that no one is just sitting around doing nothing.”

There are also a range of awards on offer as incentives for blossoming lifesavers and reward for hard work. Junior Lifesaver of the Year 2018 winner Matilda Beikoff-Smart said while it was great to be recognised for her efforts, the award system was a bonus. “It’s a bit of a thing that pumps you up, but it’s not necessarily what you’re aiming for,” she said. “One of my favourite things is the friends I’ve made. We look out for each other in the water.” Many household names have come through Nippers. Even “The King” himself, rugby league legend Wally Lewis, went through the Nobbys Beach club as a Nipper. “Trevor Hendy, he was a Nipper at Surfers Paradise. He started there and became one of, if not the best, ironmen in Australia,” Mr Fien said.

NIPPERS: FUTURE

MEMBER services manager Des Kerr says family engagement is one area in particular in which there is a focus to ensure long-term success of the red and yellow institution.

They also will continue revising and developing their program to promote more life saving and sports skills.

It comes off a steady growth in membership – particularly on the Gold Coast.

“Last year we had a four per cent growth in Nippers (overall in Queensland), on the Gold Coast it was seven per cent, so that’s really healthy,” he said.

And by building lasting relationships with Nippers and their families, the program would continue to blossom and ensure retention.

“As the Nippers get older … there is opportunity with the younger generation coming through, they’re perfect for obviously learning this drone technology,” he said.

“And everything else can get them career opportunities at the same time. Some have gone on to flying helicopters.”