To add your child to the Nipper Waiting List
- Please navigate to our Perranporth SLSC Cloud
- Here you can setup an account in your name
- From there you can add a linked account for your child
- Select the Nipper Waiting List category and checkout (£0)
We are currently working hard to update the way we manage our Nipper Waiting List. We will make the proces as easy as possible, transparant and we will optimise communication with you so you know what you can expect.
We completely understand that as a parent this is crucial.
Families on the waiting list are usually contacted about joining in April of the year the child turns 7 (by 31 December).
For Nipper Membership Enquiries…
Contact: The Nipper Manager Melanie Munialo
e: melanie.munialo@perranporthslsc.org.uk
Nippers – What to Expect
Our Surf Life Saving Club is a registered charity run entirely by volunteers — including the Nipper section. Our coaches and water safety team are dedicated parents who have committed their time to qualify and help deliver safe, structured and fun sessions.
Nippers is about developing lifesaving skills, surf ability, confidence in the sea and resilience on the beach. We are not qualified or insured to teach children to swim — a solid swimming foundation is essential before joining.
Because we operate in an open water environment, we follow strict safety ratios for water safety cover. Parent involvement is therefore vital. If there are not enough helpers, we simply cannot run sessions. Depending on age group and sea conditions, this can sometimes mean one helper per Nipper.
We strongly encourage parents to take an active role wherever possible — whether by gaining water safety or coaching qualifications, or by helping in essential beach and dry-side roles. All helpers must always operate within their ability and speak up if they are not comfortable with a task.
Each year we can offer approximately 20 Nipper places, so unfortunately not every family on the waiting list will be offered a space. Existing Senior membership and holding surf lifesaving qualifications can make a difference, so we strongly encourage families to get involved in the wider club.
Swimming & Competency Requirements
All Nippers must demonstrate a basic level of water confidence and swimming ability to ensure safety and enjoyment.
Children must already be attending swimming lessons before joining.
During winter (October–April), we train in a 25m pool to develop the skills and fitness needed for the sea. New Nippers must be able to confidently swim this distance from the outset.
At the start of the season (or end of winter training), all new aspiring Nippers are assessed. For 7-year-olds, the assessment includes:
Pool
- Push off the wall with face in the water
- Float for 30 seconds
- Swim 50m freestyle unaided with continuous arm action (ideally breathing to one side)
Beach
- Run 25m
- Swim 50m (wade where appropriate)
- Run 25m
Distances increase with each age group in line with the Surf Life Saving GB Nipper Pathway.
It is the responsibility of parents or guardians to assess whether their child is ready to demonstrate these competencies. Once demonstrated, we will gladly invite you to join as a member.
Parent & Guardian Helpers – Safety & Membership
Each Nipper must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is also a club member.
Parents are responsible for assessing whether their child is fit and able to participate in each session. We also rely heavily on parents and guardians to help deliver sessions — both in and out of the water.
We strongly encourage helpers to take out a Senior Membership, which provides:
- Access to surf lifesaving and coaching qualifications
- Subsidised courses and awards
- Full involvement in club activities
For those not wishing to pursue qualifications, we offer a reduced Associate Helper Membership, which ensures you are fully insured to help both in and out of the water.
In some cases, arrangements can be made for a designated helper who is not a parent. Please contact the Nipper Manager to discuss this.
What Nipper Membership Includes
- Use of clubhouse (when accompanied by a parent/guardian)
- Use of Nipper boards (when accompanied by a parent/guardian)
- Coached winter pool training (additional charge)
- Subsidised First Aid and Lifesaving awards (additional charge)
- Access to regional and national competitions
- SLSGB insurance
Season Overview
Beach Sessions: Thursday evenings, May–September (weather and conditions depending)
Pool Sessions: Saturday afternoons, October–April (weather and conditions depending)