First Day at Nippers! (Junior Lifesaving)

Today was Sophia's first day of Nippers.  She is now a junior member of the North Curl Curl Surf and Lifesaving Club (NCCSLC).  Nippers (aka junior lifesaving) is a real Sydney tradition and pretty much every beach has a program.  We joined North Curl Curl because 1) we have a friend who was able to get us in (we applied at 3 other places with no luck) and 2) it is a real surf beach so Sophia will actually be able to put what she learns to the test.  It was truly one of those experiences that reminds you how far you are from Austin, Texas.  The photos I took probably don't do it justice - but picture a hundred kids from 6 up dressed in green and yellow "rashies and togs" and running drills in the beach and the ocean.  Here is the official description:  "Nippers is about learning, confidence and having fun in a safe beach environment. For Nippers, the beach is the classroom. They gain confidence by passing the ‘tests’ of swimming, body boarding, beach sprints, dolphin-diving, spotting a rip, having fun with new friends and discovering things about themselves."   Parent volunteers run the program and keep everyone safe.  Sophia had a fabulous time, as you can probably see from these photos.  It runs nearly every Sunday from now through February so there are many adventures ahead!