ANOTHER of Portland’s junior summer sports is back, with the Portland Surf Life Saving Club’s Nippers and Cadets programs starting this weekend with a come-and-try and registration day.

The program will run for 10 Sundays, beginning two weeks after the come-and-try day and ending on February 27 next year, with a break from December 19 to January 16 for Christmas.

All sessions run for approximately two hours, and are held at Cape Bridgewater.

For Nippers, aged between 6-13, the sessions are in the water and out, with swimming, board paddling and beach games including flags.

For Cadets, aged between 13-15, the focus is more on Surf Sports and rescue, with participants having the opportunity to complete their Surf Rescue Certificate.

Before all participants can take part in the program, there is a preliminary skills assessment that must be undertaken.

The club strongly encourages parents of children with limited swimming ability to enrol their children in swimming lessons first.

The Nippers program has received a boost this year as well, with a $6,700 VicHealth grant used to purchase new boards.

The program is low cost, being run by volunteers, and there is a fund that takes care of uniform and membership costs for low-income families.

The come-and-try day itself will run from 11am-1pm this Sunday, and will be taken by junior club captains Makeely Kindred and Lily Maas-Geerestanus.

It will involve catching waves, beach games, a treasure hunt and a sandcastle competition. There will be a sausage sizzle after the day.

No pre-registration is required, anyone wanting their child to participate can just bring them along on the day.

Those wishing to register Nippers can do so at the Surf Life Saving Club’s clubrooms at Cape Bridgewater from 10am-2pm on Sunday.

“The emphasis is on fun, friendship and surf education,” said PSLSC secretary Helen Snibson.

“For Nippers, (in this year’s program) there will be water-based activities, swimming, boarding, and body-surfing.

“There will also be beach activities, including flags, games, and running.

“Cadets is more of a surf-sport program – we’re trying to separate the two programs.

“Surf swimming, advanced board techniques and rescue, with the opportunity to learn CPR, basic first aid and surf rescue.

“Our volunteers are a mixture of experience and youth.

“We’ve got youngsters like Makeely and Lily who are running the come-and-try day, as well as more experienced volunteers that have been with the club for a number of years.”

Parents can join as members with their children, with opportunity to partake in Bronze Medallion, First Aid and Age Manager courses.

All adult members must have a Working With Children Check and be fully vaccinated.