Registrations for Bronte Nippers for 2025/26 will open to renewals in June, and then to new nippers in July.

Keep checking back here for exact dates. Note: page updates under construction!

*We do not run wait lists for Nippers.

Nippers Information

We are looking forward to welcoming you to Bronte Nippers this season!

Nippers will commence on:

  • Sunday, 12 October 2025, for Under 6 only; and
  • Sunday, 19 October 2025, for all age groups.

See Nipper's timetable here (subject to change and updated regularly).

Please click the links below for more information:


Age Groups

Any child may join Nippers once they have turned five years old. Age group is determined as at 30 September each year:

Age Group Cap Colour Date of Birth
Too Young
Too Young 01 October 2020 – 30 September 2021
Under 6 Fluro Pink 01 October 2019 - 30 September 2020
Under 7 Orange 01 October 2018 - 30 September 2019
Under 8 Fluro Green 01 October 2017 – 30 September 2018
Under 9 Red 01 October 2016 – 30 September 2017
Under 10 Royal Blue 01 October 2015 – 30 September 2016
Under 11 Yellow 01 October 2014 – 30 September 2015
Under 12 Sky Blue 01 October 2013 – 30 September 2014
Under 13 Mid Green 01 October 2012 – 30 September 2013
Under 14 Purple 01 October 2011 – 30 September 2012



2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019 2020
2021
January


U14
U13
U12
U11
U10
U9
U8
U7 U6
Too Young
February


U14
U13
U12
U11
U10
U9
U8
U7
U6
Too Young
March


U14
U13
U12
U11
U10
U9
U8
U7
U6
Too Young
April


U14
U13
U12
U11
U10
U9
U8
U7
U6
Too Young
May


U14
U13
U12
U11
U10
U9
U8
U7
U6
Too Young
June


U14
U13
U12
U11
U10
U9
U8
U7
U6
Too Young
July


U14
U13
U12
U11
U10
U9
U8
U7
U6
Too Young
August


U14
U13
U12
U11
U10
U9
U8
U7
U6
Too Young
September


U14
U13
U12
U11
U10
U9
U8
U7
U6
Too Young
October

U14
U13
U12
U11
U10
U9
U8
U7
U6
Too Young
Too Young
November

U14
U13
U12
U11
U10
U9
U8
U7
U6
Too Young
Too Young
December

U14
U13
U11
U11
U10
U9
U8
U7
U6
Too Young
Too Young

Before any new registrations can be finalised, proof of age must be sighted by the club.

Nippers' age groups are strict: the SLSA system does not permit movement up or down an age group. At Bronte, we will only permit movement in truly exceptional circumstances (this does not extend to accommodating friendship groups, swim ability or timetabling).

Proficiency swim requirements

At Nippers, we don’t teach your child to swim - we expect that they are taking lessons or are in squads. From U8, it is an SLSA requirement that all Nippers complete an annual pool ‘proficiency’ swim and skills evaluation before participating in the Nipper program. These evaluations will take place on Sunday, 14 September 2025, at St Catherine's School pool (timetable to follow for registered Nippers). Ocean proficiency swims will take place on the first day of Nippers, conditions pending.

Full details of the proficiency requirements are here.

The swim portions of the proficiency are as follows:

Age Group Pool Swim Requirement
14 September 2025 - St Catherine's School pool
Ocean Swim Requirement - untimed
First day of Nippers
Under 6 and
Under 7
No requirement No requirement
Under 8 50m swim, including swimming 2-3m underwater, untimed No requirement
Under 9 150m swim in 6 minutes 150m
Under 10 200m swim in 6 minutes 150m
Under 11 200m swim in 5:30 minutes 200m
Under 12 200m swim in 5 minutes 200m
Under 13 200m swim in 4:30 minutes 200m
Under 14 200m swim in 4:30 minutes 200m

Please get your kids in the water (ocean or pool) and into lessons or squads if you have not already done so! The more experience and confidence our Nippers have in the water at any age, the better.