How to Join Manly Nippers
Registrations open on July 1st. Spots fill quickly, so register early!
Step 1: Register Online
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Visit: join.sls.com.au
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Select: Join a Surf Life Saving Club
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Choose: Manly LSC from the dropdown
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Important: Change the membership type to Family to register both your Nipper(s) and at least one parent/carer together
Step 2: Mandatory Parent/Carer Membership
Every Nipper (U6–U14) must have at least one parent or carer registered with Manly LSC. This ensures:
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Insurance coverage during Nipper activities
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Access to club facilities
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Eligibility to volunteer and participate in events
Without a registered parent/carer, your child cannot participate in the Nippers program.
Step 3: Submit Proof of Age
Please email a copy of your child’s birth certificate or passport to admin@manlylsc.com, or bring it along on the first day of the season for our volunteers to sight.
Step 4: Stay Informed
After registering:
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Join the “Manly LSC Nippers” Facebook group
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Download the Stack Team App and join “Manly Nippers” for updates
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Review the Getting Started
Nippers Membership Renewals
Already a part of Manly Nippers? Welcome back!
How to Renew
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Log in to members.sls.com.au
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Select “Renew” next to each member of your family
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Check and update your details
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Pay membership fees for both your Nipper and your Nipper Parent via the “Make a Payment” tab
Important Reminders:
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Every Nipper must have a current parent/carer membership – this is essential for insurance and participation.
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If you’re having trouble accessing your account or are unsure how to renew, email nippers@manlylsc.com for support.
Manly LSC Nippers Fees 2025/26
Membership | Type | Amount |
---|---|---|
Nipper Parent | Parent 1 | $75 |
Parent 2 | $50 | |
Junior (5-13yrs) | 1st Child | $120 |
2nd Child | $85 | |
3rd Child | $65 | |
4th Child | $0 | |
Other | Nippers Competition Fee | $200 |
Registration FAQ
- What Age group is my child in?
- Detailed Proficiency requirements
- What is a Nippers Competition Fee?
- What if my child does not pass the swim proficiency requirements?
- Can my child go up and Age group?
- What Uniform/equipment do I need?
- Medical conditions
- Parental responsibilities
- Code of Conduct
- Contact our Nippers Admin
What Age group is my child in?
Age Group | AGE AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2025 |
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Under 6 | 5 Years |
Under 7 | 6 Years |
Under 8 | 7 Years |
Under 9 | 8 Years |
Under 10 | 9 Years |
Under 11 | 10 Years |
Under 12 | 11 Years |
Under 13 | 12 Years |
Under 14 | 13 Years |
Detailed Proficiency Requirements
Pool Swim | Surf Swim | |
---|---|---|
U6/7 | No requirements | No Requirement |
U8 | 25m Swim – freestyle (untimed) 1 minute survival float | Not Applicable |
U9/10 | 200m Swim – freestyle, in less than 6 mins 1.5 minute survival float | Minimum 150m open water swim |
U11/12 | 200m Swim – freestyle, in less than 6 mins 2 minute survival float | Minimum 288m open water swim |
U13/14 | 200m Swim – freestyle, in less than 5 mins 3 minutes survival float | Minimum 288m open water swim |
- For U8’s the proficiency swim is carried out in the first few weeks of Nippers, normally at the Fairy Bower Ocean Pool between Manly and Shelly Beach
- The Pool Swim is normally conducted in the 25m pool, at Aqua Culture by the Mall
- The Surf Swim is around buoys in the ocean at Manly Beach, swimming Freestyle and with their head in the water. This can only be completed once the pool swim has been passed and will be done at Nippers on Sundays.
- All Nippers wishing to train or compete must have completed both the Pool & Surf Proficiency.
- Pool Proficiency dates (normally 2) and locations will be posted on Facebook and Team App.
- We do not teach Nippers to swim. We do encourage them to continually improve and learn surf awareness and skills in a safe & controlled manner.
Nippers Competition Fee
A $200 Competition Fee applies to any U9-U14 Nipper who:
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Participates in additional beach or water training sessions, and/or
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Intends to compete at local, branch, or state carnivals.
This fee helps cover coaching, equipment, carnival entry costs, and other training-related expenses.
If your child is not attending extra training or competing at carnivals, this fee does not apply.
What if my child does not pass the proficiency swim requirements?
The Pool Proficiency swim is a risk assessment tool. re will be other opportunities to complete their proficiency in the first month of Nippers. Until then your child will be able to participate in water activities at Sunday Nippers to the extent agreed to by their Age Manager based on Water Safety availability and ocean conditions.
Can my child go up an age group?
Children must participate in their correct age group based on their date of birth. In special circumstances, a Nipper may be allowed to move down an age group — however, moving up an age group is not permitted.
What Uniform/equipment do I need?
Age Group | Equipment Requirements |
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U6/7 | Manly Nipper cap ( first name written on the side in bold) |
U8 | Manly Nipper cap & Pink high-vis vest |
U9-10 | Manly Nipper cap & Pink high-vis vest and Foam board |
U11-13 | Manly Nipper cap & Pink high-vis vest and Fibreglass board |
U14 | Manly Nipper cap & Pink high-vis vest and Mal board |
Further information can be found under Equipment. Uniform can be purchased on registration day or from the Manly uniform shop which is open during the week including each Sunday after Nippers. Manly Uniform Shop – opening hours and online purchases. Please note that Nippers are not permitted to wear jewellery or watches during training or competition.
Medical Conditions
If your child suffers from Asthma or any other medical condition please inform you child’s Age Manager and coach to the extent it may affect you child’s participation.
Parental Responsibilities
Parents/Carers must be with their child at all times. Your child remains YOUR responsibility. Medication, trips to the toilet and the individual welfare of each child on Manly Beach remains the responsibility of the parent/carer. Nippers is not a child minding program. Nippers is run by parents. It is our experience that the more you get involved, the more your child will enjoy nippers, and the more rewarding it is for parents. As a minimum your age group will be required to run the BBQ on two mornings during the season. Age managers will advise you of your responsibilities. Please assist your age group & work together to make the morning a success. There are a lots of other volunteering opportunities and many do not require surf lifesaving experience. Explore our Volunteer page to see how you can get involved.
Code of Conduct
Code of conduct – Parents, Caregivers & Spectators Code of Behaviour Parents have an important role in the delivery and support of sporting activities for their own and other children at Nippers. With it comes a clear responsibility to act in a constructive and encouraging manner at all times. Parents are required to sign the Code of Conduct upon registration.
- Remember that children participate in sport for their enjoyment and development
- Encourage children to participate, do not force them
- Focus on the child’s efforts and performance rather than winning or losing. Set realistic goals.
- Encourage children to always play according to the rules and to settle disagreements without resorting to hostility or violence.
- Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or losing a competition.
- Remember children learn best by example.
- Appreciate good performances and skilful plays by all Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities.
- Respect official’s decisions and teach children to do likewise.
- Show appreciation for coaches, age managers, officials, and administrators. Without them, your child could not participate.
- Respect the rights, dignity and worth of others.
- If you disagree with an official, coach, age manager, raise the issue through the appropriate channels rather than question the officials judgment and honesty in public. Remember that most officials, coaches, and age managers give their time and effort for your child’s involvement.
Code of Conduct – Nippers
- Compete within the rules, and within the spirit of Surf Lifesaving and Manly LSC.
- Never argue with an official. If you disagree have your Age Manager, coach or team
- manager approach the official during a break or after the competition.
- Control your temper. Verbal abuse of officials and sledging of other competitors, deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent are not acceptable or permitted behaviours.
- Work equally hard for yourself and/or your team.
- Be a good sport. Applaud all good performances whether they are given by Manly LSC or other clubs.
- Treat all participants as you would like to be treated. Do not bully, interfere or take unfair advantage of another competitor.
- Co-operate with your coach, age managers, teammates, officials and opponents. Without them there would be no competition.
- Participate for your own enjoyment and benefit, not just to please parents and coaches.
- Respect the equipment you use, wash it and return it after use. Report any damage.
- Respect the club house. Treat it as you would treat your home. Leave it tidy.
Any breach of these codes should immediately be reported to the JAC Chairman