Pacific Surf Life Saving Club Over 75 Years Proudly Serving the Palm Beach Community Nippers1

Overview

The first thing required is for at least one Parent to join up… then you can join your children up. Once a Parent and Nipper(s) are joined (the process can be found below), there are additional pathways to allow yourself as a Parent to get more involved in Surf Lifesaving and/or help support the Nipper Program at Pacific by helping manage and/or support. For Nippers, there are additional pathways for them to get involved in Surf Lifesaving and/or Competitions – whilst still being in the Nipper Program. For older children (14+)… we highly encourage them to progress into Surf Lifesaving and help out with Water Safety for Nippers.

A About Play On (back to top)

A.1 What is Play On and how to get the vouchers

“Play On” in an initiative by the Queensland State Government to help make our kids more active and healthy by participating in sports activities. The “Play On” vouchers replace the previous “FairPlay” vouchers.
Provide $200 per child

  • Available twice a year — perfect for both summer or winter sports
  • No concession card needed — open to all QLD kids aged 5–17 years.
  • First round opens 4 August 2025 – just in time for Nippers registration!
  • You can use your Play On! Voucher to help cover Nippers fees this coming season!

For more details on how to apply, mark your calendar and keep an eye on: https://www.sport.qld.gov.au/sport/funding-programs/play-on

A.2 How to use Play On Vouchers for Nipper fees

  1. Register for updates from PlayOn!
  2. Apply once the first round opens
  3. Email voucher to office@pacificslsc.com – please note we have been advised that we won’t be able to process the voucher until around 15th August as surf clubs are waiting to be added to the list of providers.
    • Describe your family structure in the email (number of adults, how many also patrol, number of children for Nippers)

We will then provide you with further instructions on the discounted amount . This voucher is for once-off use and can only be used for membership fees

1 Join up Process – Parent (back to top)

1.1 New Joiners Only

  1. You must join Pacific SLSC as a member.
  2. You must obtain a Blue Card. A Blue Card is given to people to demonstrate that they are suitable to interact with children.
  3. You must complete 2 online training courses. These take approximately 15 minutes.
    • Browse to the Surf Life Saving website https://members.sls.com.au/SLSA_Online/modules/login/index.php
    • Click on eLearning link to do to the Surf Life Saving Queensland Hub
    • Click on the Child Safety Modules button
    • Complete the Child and Youth Risk Management Strategies (CYRMS) online course
    • Complete the Child Safe Awareness (CSA) online course

1.2 Renewals Only

  • Renewal your membership at Pacific SLSC.
    • Browse to the Surf Life Saving website https://members.sls.com.au/SLSA_Online/modules/login/index.php
    • In the Membership box, look for Family Groups and a red arrow
    • Add or remove any family members , then click “Renew“
    • Choose “2025/2026 Season“, and for each family member choose the appropriate:
      • Most families will choose “Nipper Family Group” for the first adult. When you do this, the second adult will be $0 as “Renewing Associate” and children will be $0 “Renewing Junior Activity Member”. This allows both parents to obtain a complimentary Blue Card (working with children) and also provide pathways to help out on Nipper Days (water safety, BBQ, officials etc.)
    • Check the checkboxes, put in the name of the authorising guardian, then click “Next“
    • Complete the payment process.

1.3 Both New Joiners AND Renewals

  • Come to the official Nipper Sign-up Day. The date is published in the Upcoming Dates. Nippers will meet up with their Age Manager and other Nippers in their age group.
    • If you CANNOT attend either of the 2 Sign-Up days, or are using an independent swim coach, you will need to print a copy of the Pool Evaluation Form and bring to the pool on Nipper Sign-up Day.

 

2 Join up Process – per Nipper (back to top)

2.1 New Joiners Only

  1. Each Nipper must join Pacific SLSC as an individual member. This is because their training history and certifications are tracked using their membership number.

2.2 Renewals Only

  • Refer to the section 1.2 Renewals Only above. Nippers that already joined in a previous season are part of a family group and renewals are managed via the parent/guardian.

2.3 Both New Joiners AND Renewals

  • Come to the official Nipper Sign-up Day. The date is published in the Upcoming Dates. Nippers will meet up with their Age Manager and other Nippers in their age group.
    • If you CANNOT attend either of the 2 Sign-Up days, or are using an independent swim coach, you will need to print a copy of the Pool Evaluation Form and bring to the pool on Nipper Sign-up Day.

3 Overview of Pathways for Parents and Nippers (back to top)

Becoming a Nipper, or Nipper Parent, doesn’t need to be the end of the road when it comes to getting involved with the Club, Surf Life Saving and the Nipper Program.

Nippers can be in Nipper Program AND simultaneously become certified as junior life savers by obtaining a Surf Rescue Certificate.

Parents can be in the Nipper Program AND qualify themselves with different tiers of Surf Life Saving certifications, depending on the levels of fitness and surf swimming proficiency. Also, Nipper parents are always needed to help with managing and supporting various aspects of the Nipper Program

See below on how Nippers and Nipper Parents can be more involved

Nippers Pathway

3.1 Nipper and Parent Pathways to Surf Lifesaving (back to top)

For Nippers and Parents who enjoy a beach lifestyle and are interested in volunteering to wear the yellow and red and patrol…. in addition to being in the Nippers Program you can also acquire certifications in Surf Lifesaving (the yellow and red boxes above).

See the About Surf Lifesaving page for more information on the 3 tiers of Surf Lifesaving: Surf Observer, Surf Rescue and Bronze Medallion.

3.2 Nipper Pathway to Competitions (back to top)

Nippers looking at competing at carnivals are strongly suggested to join the Surf Sports training program at the beginning of the season, otherwise late joiners may have levels of skill and fitness behind other Nippers. This may impact team selection potential.
Please contact the Surf Sports Officer (surfsports@pacificslsc.com for details.

3.4 Parent Pathways to Nipper Management & Support (back to top)

For Nipper Parents wanting to get more involved in Nipper support and management (the white and green boxes above), contact the Junior Activities Officer (surfsports@pacificslsc.com for details.