Parents and friends are also invited to participate in the Club as age managers and water safety helpers.

A registration and information night will be held at the Jindabyne Sailing Club tonight from 5pm to 6.30pm.

“The aim of the night is to pass information on to those families and kids interested in joining the only inland surf club in Australia,” new club president Dave Philpot said.

“The club offers kids the chance to learn valuable surf skills, swim, run, board and build confidence in the water.”

Each Thursday afternoon, children are divided into age groups and gather with their age managers to go through a series of drills and activities which help to build surf, water and beach skills.

Each session is followed by a very popular and social family BBQ.

“For safety reasons children joining Nippers need to fulfil a pool swim proficiency test which will take place on Saturday, November 14 between 11am to 12pm at Jindabyne Pool. Kids can also do their swim proficiency during school swimming,” new club captain Peter Baff said.

The following tests are required:

Under 8 years – 25m swim using any stroke plus 1 minute float

Under 9 & 10 years – 200m swim under 6 minutes using any stroke

Under 11 and up – 200m swim under 5 minutes in freestyle

“Children in the U/7 and up age groups are encouraged to compete in the three far South Coast surf lifesaving carnivals which take place on December 13 (Broulee), February 14 (Bermagui) and March 7 (Narooma), although competition is not compulsory,” Mr Philpot said.

“This includes competing in the Club’s march past troupe and carnival events including flags, board, wade and swim events.”

Children that wish to compete in these great events need to do a test at Tathra beach called a Run Swim Run by December 31, but this will be explained further.

Fees cost $38.50 per child along with one paying adult or carer which relates to Surf Life Saving Association rules. (Third child is $27.50)

Kids are encouraged to wear the yabbies swim uniform each week but this isn’t essential to joining the club but wearing a surf life saving cap is and this costs just $3.