Sunday Nippers is focussed on developing skills in Surf Lifesaving and other important motor skills in a relaxed & fun environment. For those wishing to develop their skills and fitness further we provide various training options.
- Pool & Surf Proficiency must have been met to train.
- Competition is encouraged but not mandated.
- Pink (not faded) Hi-Vis Vest is compulsory – No pink singlet = no training.
- Bring googles if you need them for swimming.
- Please discuss training options with your Age Manager/Coaches to identify the best options for your Nipper.
- Join Manly Nippers Facebook page and Team App to get the latest details regarding venues, timing and cancellations.
- All training apart from the camps is included in the Training & Competition Levy.
Weekly training during the Nippers season
Additional training opportunities
Sprint & Flags training U9-U14
Sprint training sessions are run at Manly Beach or Manly Oval during the Nippers season. The start of training is noted in the Calendar.
| Training | Time | Age Groups | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Sprint Session | After school | U9-U14 | |||
| Sunday – focus on flags | Before nippers – refer to calendar | U9-U14 | |||
| Monday session | Added later in the season |
To ensure that these sessions are beneficial we are unable to cater for younger siblings joining these sessions. A parent or carer must be in attendance at all training sessions. Speed/Endurance/Performance sprint training will be held on Wednesday evenings at Manly Oval. These sessions will benefit both beach and water competitors. Sprinters will benefit from speed endurance and race speed for sprint, relay, flags and water transitions during carnivals. Sunday training sessions will focus on flags. These sessions are normally held from 8am-8.30am prior to Nippers starting. Join Manly Nippers Facebook page and Team App to get the latest details regarding Training dates, venues, timing and cancellations.
Board Training
Board training sessions are run from the Club by our Head Coach and coaching team. All are experienced surf lifesaving competitors and most still regularly compete. Training takes place at Manly Beach, Shelley beach and Manly Harbourside depending on conditions. All sessions are open to U9-U13. The U14s transition to senior club training see details below.
| Day | Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | Mornings and/or afternoons – for all abilities | ||
| Tuesday | Afternoons | ||
| Wednesday | Added later in the season for those competing in the Ironman/woman at NSW State | ||
| Thursday | Afternoons | ||
| Friday |
|
Parental help with water safety is required for the sessions to take place. No water safety = no water training To find out more please speak to your Age Manager. Training dates can be found in the Calendar. Join Manly Nippers Facebook page and Team App to get the latest details regarding venues, timing and cancellations.
Surf skills training
Subject to conditions surf swimming is included in board training sessions. We normally run focussed surf skill sessions on Friday afternoons during the Nippers season once the water is warm enough. Information will be posted on Facebook and Team App. Children are not taught to swim at Nippers. We strongly recommend that children attend regular swimming lessons until at least squad level. Pool swimming is essential to develop the strength, fitness and confidence that Nippers require to negotiate surf conditions. Surf swim training focuses on negotiating waves, rips and sweeps and using them to the swimmers advantage. Children who swim regularly prove to be the most capable in the surf and ultimately gain the most from participating in a Nippers program.
U8 Transition to Foamie Nipper Boards – April
After the end of the Nippers season, whilst the water is still warm, we run transition training sessions for a couple of weeks for the graduating U8s. The aim is to develop their confidence and skills on the foamie Nipper boards prior to joining the rest of the training Nippers at Winter Board training and or the Pre-season Ocean training camp in September. The training starts with an ocean swim test so the coaches can assess their swimming ability and confidence in the ocean and manage water safety accordingly. Parental help with water safety is required for the sessions to take place. U8 parents are encouraged to get their Bronze medallion so that they can assist. The flyer below has more information & tips on the transition from U8s to U9s. Training details will be posted on Facebook and Team App. Talk to your Age Manager or the Coaches if you have any questions. Manly Nippers U8 to U9 Transition flyer has more information & tips on the transition from U8s to U9s
U12/13 Transition to Mal Boards – June
After the end of the Nippers season the graduating U12s are invited to begin to learn to use the longer Mal boards that Nippers use in U14s although for normal training and competitions they continue to use the shorter fibreglass board. The aim is to introduce them to the longer board in good conditions and to develop their skills and confidence prior to changing boards at the end of U13s. This training normally takes place on Sunday mornings. Information will be posted on Facebook and Team App. Talk to your Age Manager or the Coaches.
U13/14 Transition to Senior Club – June
Starting in June the graduating U13s learn to use the longer Mal Boards on Sunday mornings, if they have not done so already (see above). Information will be posted on Facebook and Team App. After developing their skills over the winter period & Pre-season Camp the U14s who wish to compete are invited to join the Senior Club’s “Up & Comers” competition training (once they have reached a certain skill level). Their training options are:
| Day | Training |
|---|---|
| Sundays mornings | U13/14 Nippers Transition to Mal training |
| Monday – Friday afternoons | Up & Comers Competition training |
| Tuesday & Thursday mornings | Up & Comers Competition training |
| Saturday mornings | Up & Comers Competition training |
Up & Comers After graduating from the Nippers program age groups are combined across 2 years – U15s, U17s, U19s, Opens and eventually Masters. There is a dedicated coach to support the younger competitors (U15s and U17s) in Up & Comers. The U14s can compete in teams with the U15s and individually at some Open events. You will need to join Up & Comers on Facebook for updates on their training. As they move to U17s there is an option to learn to Surf ski and compete in additional Surf ski events. Talk to your Age Manager or the Coaches for further information.
Weekly Winter Board training – July
Winter board training sessions are open to the graduating U8s (new U9s) through to the graduating U12s (new U13s). They normally run on a Sunday morning starting in July. The winter conditions are often very good for beginners. Those training will need long wetsuits and swim caps to stay warm. Hot showers are available in the clubhouse after training and need a 20c coin to be operated.
Pre-Season Ocean training Camp – Spring School holidays
This 3-day Camp for U9-U14 Nippers runs in the first week of the Spring School holidays for 3 hours every morning. For many of our Nipper families it becomes a highlight of the year and the kids can’t wait to pack up the cars and head north to the warmer waters up in Sunny Sawtell. It is much more than a training camp – it gives our Nippers and their families an opportunity to hang out together and bond. Sawtell is a great base with many restaurants and activities and many families make it a week away.
Summer camp – Early January
This “boot” camp normally runs at Manly beach in early January. The Nippers train from 9-3pm across 3 days to build up skills and fitness. The kids train hard, have fun and eat well. All food is fresh and provided by an army of parent volunteers. Water safety is essential so many parents also help out in the water. Camp is a great opportunity to get involved and volunteer. Please note this is not vacation care. Parents of participants are required to volunteer.
