What is the Starfish Nippers Program?
Point Leo is pleased to be offering the Starfish Nipper Program. This is a modified Nipper program for children and young adults with special needs, which will be run in conjunction with the regular JSLP (Nipper) program.
The Starfish Nipper Program caters for children and young adults from 6 years and over with a disability – including autism, Down syndrome, physical and intellectual disabilities and learning difficulties. The Starfish Nipper Program was created by Anglesea SLSC (see link to video below) and is now operating at many lifesaving clubs around Victoria.
What activities do you do?
Activities for Starfish Nippers include traditional beach games and activities, beach running, beach flags, swimming, board skills, water familiarisation, beach, water and surf safety. The program will offer positive instruction and encouragement along the way. Depending on their ability, each Starfish nipper will have a dedicated helper with a ratio of 1:1 for beach activities and in some cases, 2:1 for water activities. This ensures that the program can be specially tailored to meet individual needs and skill levels in and out of the water. We do have a policy that a parent or carer must be on the beach at all times whilst the session is being run, in case additional assistance is required.
The 9 sessions will be conducted on the same days as our existing nipper program running from 9 am till 10:15 am each nipper day from Thursday 28 December 2023 until mid January 2023. (we may continue with Sunday Training until Starfish Carnival at the end of February 2024)
If you are interested in finding out more about the program – please click here
If you would like to enrol a child or young adult into the program – please click here
If you are interested in becoming a trainer for the program – please click here
If you have any other comments or questions, please contact Jane Starr at starfish@pointleoslsc.com.au