Putting their training into action, the Nippers took to the beach on Sunday for some surf sport competition.
The day marked the first round of their Nipper Club Champs, with a further three rounds to be held throughout the season.
From 50, 70 and 90 metre beach sprints, to beach flags, swimming and board races, everyone’s points were accumulated so that the club champion for each age group can be determined at the end of the season.
Run by the Nelson Surf Life Saving Club, the Nippers programme is for children aged 7-13 and teaches them valuable skills including swimming and board skills, how to read the water and other water safety principles.
The Nelson Nippers programme involves 50 children, with around 40 of them competing on Sunday. The skills they learn, including high knees running into the water and dolphin diving under the waves, are also used by the surf life-saving team, where the Nippers can progress to as they get older.
