Life’s swell for a growing wave of keen summer swimmers
A surge in Nipper numbers has Victoria’s future lifesaving ranks riding a wave of success.
A record 14,383 children are registered in Nipper Education Programs this summer across the state, with participation rapidly swelling year-on-year following the pandemic lockdowns.
At Mentone Surf Lifesaving Club, Harley, 9, Asher, 12, and Gabriel, 10, are among the keenest of the junior beach brigade to meet others, stay fit and enjoy being outside.
“I started Nippers because my two older sisters were involved, and I loved watching them compete and seeing how much fun they had on the beach with their friends,” Asher said.
“I enjoy it because of the variety of activities I can compete in, and I have made some good friends both at my club and others.”
Life Saving Victoria’s general manager of member engagement and sport, Simon Rickard, said Nippers was the lifesaving movement’s mainstay water-safety program for children.
Swelling popularity also reflected community demand for practical water-safety education and healthy, active lifestyles.
“It gives young people the confidence and skills to enjoy our beaches safely, while also teaching them the foundations of lifesaving, teamwork and leadership,” Rickard said.
“It’s fun, family-centred and inclusive. It’s also vital in growing the next generation of volunteer lifesavers who keep our communities safe.
“For clubs and the broader community, it sustains vital volunteer capacity and cultivates future leaders on and off the beach.”
All of Victoria’s 57 lifesaving clubs are running Nipper programs this summer, with about half offering both holiday and standard programs to service locals and visitors.
With Victoria drownings consistently above national averages in recent years, the need for greater beach skills and trained lifeguards is growing more important each summer.
Since July 1, Victoria’s volunteer lifesavers and paid lifeguards have undertaken 124 rescues and 416 first-aid interventions, while 20 fatal drownings occurred across the state.
The latest tragedies follow 52 fatal drownings in the 2024-25 financial year, and the record 61 fatal drownings in 2020-21 – well above the average of 48.
“While these stats are down on record numbers in previous years, they are still above both five and 10-year averages, pointing to a concerning upward trend in drowning incidents,” Rickard said.
“Regardless, one drowning is one too many.”
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