Starfish Nipper Program
What is Starfish Nippers?
Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club is very proud to have created and implemented the first Starfish Nipper Program in Victoria - a modified nipper program for children and young adults with a disability, which is run in conjunction with our traditional program. Our Starfish Nipper Program caters for children and young adults ranging from 6 years and above with a disability - including autism, attention deficit disorder, Down’s syndrome, Asperger's Syndrome, physical and intellectual disabilities and learning difficulties. We believe everyone deserves access to Nippers. Scroll down to watch our video.
What activities do you do?
Activities for Starfish Nippers include traditional beach games and activities, beach running, beach flags, swimming, board skills, water familiarisation, beach, water and surf safety. We have an instructor for every nipper, a ratio of 1 nipper per trainer for beach activities and in some cases 2 trainers in the water activities depending on the nipper’s ability. This ensures the program can be specially tailored to meet individual needs and skill levels in and out of the water. We offer positive instruction and encouragement along the way, however, we do have a policy which stipulates that a parent or carer must be on the beach at all times whilst the session is being run. The sessions are conducted on the same days and beginning at the same time as our existing nipper program running from approximately 9.00am till 10.30am each nipper day for two weeks after Christmas.
Starfish Nippers and their family must be members of Anglesea SLSC to register and participate. In line with our Club membership fees, the cost for the program is dependent on the age of the participant, a discounted membership applies with a health care card.
Please note that ALL Nipper Parents and Starfish Participants over 18 years are required to hold a Working With Children Check. See the Membership Information page for details. You can register for the program via the link above once your memberships have been finalised and a password to the registration page has been emailed to you
Find out more
Please visit the Starfish Nipper website for a greater understanding of our Starfish Nippers program at Anglesea and to see all the other clubs around Victoria that have started Starfish Nippers at their club. You can also view our video below.
If you are interested in finding out more about the program, signing up or becoming a trainer for the Starfish Nipper Program at Anglesea SLSC, please contact the Club office on (03) 5263 1107.