Friday, 7 October 2022
Tens of thousands of children and parents will return to beaches from the Central Coast to the Queensland border as Nippers gets underway from this weekend (October 9).
With our support, the iconic beach and water safety program for kids aged five to 13 will run most Sundays until the end of February.
Our Chief Financial Officer Mark Colless said Nippers is a vital community program that offers personal development skills for young people and saves countless lives.
“Nippers gives kids skills to keep themselves and others safe when at the beach, such as being able to identify rips and rescuing someone in trouble,” Mark said.
“Nippers is also the recruitment and training ground for our future surf lifesavers, who patrol our beaches to keep us safe every weekend.
“At Newcastle Permanent we’re here for the community and Nippers benefits everyone in the community.
“The young people I meet from Nippers programs are impressive and confident because it gives them leadership and teamwork skills.”
Hunter Surf Life Saving branch president Henry Scruton said it takes funding and resources to provide surf life saving services and programs such as Nippers.
“Our four-decade partnership with Newcastle Permanent is vital to our Surf Life Saving branch and the other five branches on the Central Coast, Lower North Coast, Mid North Coast, North Coast and Far North Coast regions of NSW,” said Henry.
“As well as program funding support, Newcastle Permanent supplies surf life saving clubs with the mandatory hot-pink Nippers rashies to make the program more affordable for families.
“Nippers learn lifesaving and CPR, as well as surf safety, awareness, and rescue skills while completing fun surf sport activities such as catching waves, board paddling, beach sprints and flags.
“It is a fun and healthy activity for parents and kids to do together, and a great way to make new friends.”
Most surf life saving clubs accept Active Kids Program vouchers for payment of registration fees. To find your nearest Nippers program visit www.surflifesaving.com.au/nippers/
Every year, we invests almost $1.5 million into local communities through its partnerships, employee donations, volunteering and fundraising programs. This includes support for every surf life saving club from the Central Coast to the Queensland border.