Latest news with #Nippers
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Young Nipper makes history for North Cott SLSC
A 13-year-old champion surf lifesaver from North Cottesloe is making waves across the country after taking home multiple medals from this year's Australian championships — something his coach said is 'unheard of'. Edward Wallis made a big splash at his first 'Aussies' in Queensland earlier this year, where he claimed two individual silver medals in sprints and flags events, was part of North Cott's triumphant U13 beach relay team and landed a bronze as part of his club's U13 mixed beach relay team. He backed up all that success on the Queensland sand by being named Nipper of the Year at Surf Life Saving WA's annual awards last month. Your local paper, whenever you want it. His coach for the past four summers, Renee Gibbs, said Edward's national achievements in his final year as a nippers competitor were a huge moment for the club. 'The Aussies are a lot more competitive than the State comp ... there's something like 5000 competitors in the Australian titles every year over in Queensland,' Mrs Gibbs said. Edward Wallis made a big splash at his first 'Aussies' in Queensland earlier this year. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper / Perth Now 'Edward got four medals at Aussies, which is unheard of really. It's an unbelievable result. 'And the team also won gold in the rally, which was one of the very first gold we've had, so it was a really amazing moment.' Edward praised his teammates for their success in the challenging conditions that Queensland threw up, which included event delays. 'It was in pretty difficult weather conditions and there were a lot of strong competitors from other States,' Edward said. 'WA has some strong runners and our North Cott relay team got gold, which was really fun to race in.' Edward is just five years into surf lifesaving, having first joined the North Cott SLSC after his parents thought it would be a good idea to build some water sense. I love competing. I do get nervous, but it is heaps of fun racing so I always look forward to the carnivals 'Nippers is such a great way for them to gain more experience in the water and have fun at the same time,' Edwards' father Jayden Wallis said. 'It's been an enjoyable outlet for Ed and he is keen to keep pursuing the sport into the senior ranks.' Next summer Edward moves up from Nippers to the cadet program at North Cottesloe, where he will look to attain his surf rescue certificate and compete in more carnivals. 'I love competing. I do get nervous, but it is heaps of fun racing so I always look forward to the carnivals,' he said. 'I'm really looking forward to being able to do patrols, train and compete again next year.' Mrs Gibbs and her husband have coached North Cottesloe nippers for several years to help youngsters with their beach safety and to foster WA's surf life saving community. 'Joining a surf club is all about being part of a team ... it's really nurturing, really supportive and just a fun kind of environment,' she said. 'And that's something Edward really understands ... I think he loves that it's not all about him, you know, it's actually about the club and the team.'
Nikkei Asia
04-05-2025
- Health
- Nikkei Asia
Nippers are the future of Australia's beach culture
NEWCASTLE, Australia -- In summer, Sunday morning is Nipper time on Australian beaches. That is when thousands of youngsters ages 5 to 13 turn up at local surf clubs to take part in water-safety programs that may save their lives, and possibly those of other people. The youngsters, wearing high-visibility pink rash jackets -- thin, stretchy tops designed for use in and around water -- are called Nippers, and for more than 60 years older members of surf lifesaving clubs along the Australian coast have been running skills programs that emphasize swimming fitness, recognition of beach hazards such as rips and undertows, rescue techniques and first aid.
The Herald
01-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Singe shines in Lifesaving SA Champs
The sixth day of the DHL Lifesaving SA Championships marked a shift in competition focus, as nippers moved into the pool for their first round of pool-based events, while open and junior athletes took to Kings Beach for the next stage of their surf racing. Despite gusty coastal conditions, the day delivered intense racing, standout performances and high club spirit across both venues, setting the tone for a thrilling final stretch in Gqeberha. Building on their strong pool performances earlier in the week, Fish Hoek and Clifton continued to dominate across board, ski and relay events in the surf. Summerstrand and Kings Beach also made their mark in beach relays and rescue races. As the swell picked up through the afternoon, the intensity matched the conditions, with several events seeing photo finishes. Fish Hoek's Georgia Singe delivered a clean sweep in the junior women's division, collecting gold in the o pen female single ski, U19 single ski, U19 Ironwoman, j unior double ski (with Nicola Harcus), and j unior ski relay (with Ellen Strydom and Alayah Krogscheepers). In the open men's and junior male divisions, Fish Hoek and Clifton dominated across board, ski and team relays. Nippers made their pool debut at Newton Park Swimming Pool, competing in rescue tube races, obstacle swims, and ball throw relays. Clubs like Big Bay, Clifton and Harties Reflections used the pool platform to showcase their all-round strength, clocking fast heats and consistent podium finishes. One of the highlights of the day came from Big Bay, who pulled off a clean sweep in the 12-13 age group 10m Ball Throw Relay, claiming all three podium places. Points summary: Nippers, pool: 1 Fish Hoek 122, 2 Big Bay 114, 3 Summerstrand 94 Open and junior, surf: 1 Fish Hoek 418, 2 Clifton 284, 3 Summerstrand 156 'The wind made for tough racing, but the performances have been world-class,' said Craig van Rooyen, Director of Sport for Lifesaving South Africa. 'From Georgia's dominance to Big Bay's relay sweep, we've already seen some unforgettable moments.' The championships continue through the weekend in Gqeberha, with Junior and Senior surf events building momentum at Kings Beach, and Nippers continuing pool competition at Newton Park. The final day on Saturday promises thrilling finishes and the crowning of club champions across all divisions. — Lifesaving SA
The Herald
30-04-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Fish Hoek dominate DHL Lifesaving SA Nipper Surf Champs in Gqeberha
After three action-packed days of surf racing at Kings Beach, Fish Hoek Lifesaving Club have claimed a commanding overall victory at the DHL Lifesaving South African Nipper Surf Championships, finishing with an impressive 889 points. Competing across the Under-10, Under-12, and Under-14 divisions, SA's youngest lifesavers delivered standout performances in board races, surf swims, beach sprints, run-swim-runs and flags — all under hot weather and variable surf conditions that challenged even the most experienced Nippers. The top three clubs overall were: 1 Fish Hoek Lifesaving Club 889 points, 2 Big Bay Lifesaving Club 429, 3 Summerstrand Lifesaving Club 404. Two Bay youngsters stood out for their exceptional performances and sportsmanship across the tournament. Clara Hope (Kings Beach) was named Under-9 Female Nipper Competitor of the Tournament, showcasing talent, composure and heart in every event she entered. Jakobus Reynolds (Summerstrand) claimed the title of Under-14 Male Nipper Competitor of the Tournament with a series of dominant races and true leadership on the beach. Day three saw particularly tough conditions with stronger wind, rain and shifting waves, but the Nippers rose to the challenge with energy, teamwork and determination — embodying the spirit of lifesaving. 'It's been incredible to watch the next generation of lifesavers perform with such passion and resilience,' Lifesaving SA sport director Craig van Rooyen said. 'Fish Hoek's depth and consistency across all age groups was exceptional, and every club should be proud of the way their Nippers represented their teams and the sport.' The Nipper division continues to grow as a crucial development pipeline for competitive and volunteer lifesaving in SA, with many of this week's participants destined to become junior and senior champions in years to come. The championships continue through the week, with junior and senior surf events taking over at Kings Beach and pool events continuing at the Newton Park Swimming Pool. — Lifesaving SA
