What events do Nippers compete in?
Rule- South Africa
- Lifesaving South Africa
- Nippers
- U9-U14
- Surf lifesaving
- LSA Competition Manual 17th ed
- 2022/23
- Parents
At the 2025 DHL South African Lifesaving Championships (Nipper Surf, King's Beach, Gqeberha), Nippers competed in three arenas by age:
| Arena | Events |
|---|---|
| U9 & U10 | Beach sprint, beach flags, beach run, soft board, run-swim-run, beach relay, bodyboard relay |
| U11 & U12 | Beach flags, beach run, board race, bodyboard, run-swim-run, board relay, Taplin relay |
| U13 & U14 | Iron Nipper, run-swim-run, surf swim race, beach sprint, beach run, board relay, beach relay |
Course rules (LSA Competition Manual, Section 4):
- Beach sprint: about 50 m (U9-U10), 60 m (U11-U12), 70 m (U13-U14); judged on the chest crossing the line, and competitors must stay in their lane.
- Beach flags: about 15 m for all Nipper ages; there are always fewer batons than competitors.
- Nipper board race: turning buoys about 60 m (U11-U12) and 80 m (U13-U14) from knee-deep water at low tide. U11-U14 may use the standard 3.2 m board or approved Nipper boards.
- Iron Nipper: swim, board and beach run legs, U13 and U14 only, buoys about 80 m out.
- Team events are run as combined age groups (U9-U10, U11-U12, U13-U14).
Added 22 Oct 2026