Surf, sand and sun: diving into the Hunter's Nippers season

Rory Mahler, Sam Mahler and Tilly Sasse in action during the Newcastle SLSC official launch on Sunday morning at Newcastle Beach. Picture by Peter Lorimer

On a brisk October morning, Newcastle kids donned pink rash vests and brightly-coloured caps as Nippers season kicked-off.

On Sunday, October 13, Surf Life Saving NSW officially launched its children's surf safety program across the state's beaches.

At the Newcastle Surf Life Saving Club (Newcastle SLS) on Newcastle beach, first-time participants, Stella Szabath, 5, and Harry Ruthenberg, 5, were excited to get started.

Both said they loved swimming because it was really fun.

Stella was excited to learn about "floating on our backs".

"I love the water and it's so cold," she said.

Sophie Park and Chiara Thoeni get ready to tackle the surf at the Newcastle Nippers launch on Sunday morning at Newcastle Beach. Picture by Peter Lorimer

Harry loved the beach and couldn't wait to start playing.

Harry's dad, Leslie Ruthenberg, is the under six's age manager for Newcastle SLS Nippers.

"I think it very important for everyone to understand the dangers of the beach, and where it is safe to swim, and the guys here today are going to learn all about that," Mr Ruthenberg said.

He has been involved with the club for five years as a volunteer surf lifesaver.

"It is Harry's first year, he is very excited. He was a bit disappointed when he found out the swim test was in the pool and not in the waves," he said.

"We love the beach, even when we are not here he does swimming lessons and he just loves the water."

The program is designed to teach essential skills such as CPR, rescue techniques and surf awareness.

Last season more than 3000 young surf lovers joined the Hunter program.

Director of education for Newcastle SLS David Du Plessis said a major aspect of Nippers was beach safety and awareness, and trying to get kids familiar with surf culture early.

"The younger we can start kids being comfortable in these environments, and start building their confidence in the beach, the better we will be placed in the future to have people who are safe on the beach and know how to get themselves out of trouble," he said.

Mr Du Plessis said that this season the club at just over 200 Nippers, making it the biggest season yet.

"All of our beaches are quite dangerous out of the whole region, so the biggest challenge of keeping people safe on the beach is their limited understanding," he said.

"Having people educated about rips and how to identify them gives them a far better chance if they do find themselves in trouble."