Nippers
Starfish Nippers – Inclusive Nippers for Children with Special Needs
We are proud to offer the Starfish Nippers Program at Point Lonsdale SLSC - an inclusive initiative welcoming children and young adults aged 7 to 18 with special needs to join in the fun and learning of surf lifesaving.
The program caters to individuals with a range of conditions including autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, Asperger's syndrome, physical and intellectual disabilities, and learning difficulties. At Point Lonsdale, we firmly believe that every child deserves the chance to participate, and the Starfish Program has become a valued and much-loved part of our Nipper community.
Starfish Nippers enjoy a variety of engaging activities including:
Beach games and beach running
Beach flags and relays
Swimming and board skills
Water familiarisation
Surf and beach safety education
Each Starfish participant is supported with close supervision - a 1:1 instructor ratio for water-based activities and a 1:2 ratio for beach activities. This allows us to tailor the experience to each child’s abilities and needs, providing a safe, positive and encouraging environment at every session.
We do ask that a parent or carer who is a club member remains on the beach during the session to provide any additional support if needed.
If you're looking for a supportive, inclusive, and fun beach program for your child, Starfish Nippers at Point Lonsdale SLSC is the perfect place to start.
Please refer to the link to the promotional video to get a greater understanding of the Starfish Nippers program that was held at Anglesea in 2012-2013 or go to the website www.starfishnippers.com.au
Starfish Nippers sessions will be conducted from 9:30-11.30 am on the same days as our existing Nippers program.
Enrolments
Memberships and WWCC are required to be finalised prior to registering for the program. Please see Nipper Registration Requirements for registration details, but also include a completed Starfish Medical Form with your Nippers registration. A Nipper Levy is payable with your club membership fees.
The program is capped at 6 participants to ensure we can maintain our extremely high standards of water safety and quality instruction - please apply quickly to avoid disappointment.
All members aged 17 and over (excluding Social members) must hold a current Working With Children Check (WWCC) listing Point Lonsdale SLSC and Life Saving Victoria. This requirement includes nipper parents and guardians. The WWCC is free for volunteers and valid for five years.
For any questions about the Nipper Program, contact nippers@plslsc.com.au.
For membership enquiries, contact the Club Office at office@plslsc.com.au. The office is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday between 9am and 1pm.
The Club is extremely grateful to our 2025-26 sponsors
