The 2025/26 Carnival Calendar

The nippers season is jam-packed, and this season we’re lucky enough to have two carnivals on our home beach.

• Saturday 6 December: Junior Carnival #1 at Ocean Grove
• Thursday 8 January: Junior Carnival #2 at Fisherman’s Beach (Torquay)
• Sunday 18 January: Junior Carnival #3 at Mount Martha
• Saturday 31 January: Junior Carnival #4 at Mordialloc
• Sunday 8 February: OGSLSC Club Championships
• Sunday 15 February: Junior Carnival #5 at Ocean Grove
• Friday 6 – Sunday 8 March: Victorian Junior Lifesaving Championships (‘States’) – Warrnambool

Registering for Carnivals

Registering for carnivals is a three step process, and you need to register for each carnival separately. 

The JAC will send out a message on Stack Team App when registrations for each carnival open. From there, all you need to do is:

• Complete the OGSLSC Carnival Entry form
• Provide payment to the club for the carnival through your SLS Hub account
• Nominate which volunteering role you are able to support with (see below)

Note each registration form will specify a closing date – this is so we can get all nippers entered with LSV. Typically this is around two weeks prior to each carnival date.

If for any reason you need to pull out of a carnival after you’ve entered, email nippers@oceangroveslsc.asn.au asap. Up to a certain date, they may be able to remove you in which case you’d be credited for a future carnival. After a certain date, OGSLSC will be charged for your entry and therefore your entry payment will apply.

Carnival Volunteering

Carnivals are always exciting days for our nippers, and this season we’re lucky to be hosting two carnivals on our beach. We have a large number of nippers keen to participate, and to make their day a success we rely on the help of our parent volunteers.

 A spreadsheet is sent out ahead of each carnival and we encourage every family to nominate one parent to help out. Alongside our regular water safety, age managing and coaching roles, we also need a few extra volunteers for a variety of jobs – set up/pack up, BBQ. Many hands make light work!

We’re currently short on a few key accredited roles that we are required to fill for carnivals — particularly Officials and IRB drivers/crew. If you’re willing to qualify for one of these roles to help out, please reach out to the JAC, your Coaches or Age Managers. We’d really appreciate your support and would love to have you involved!

Officials (urgently needed!)

Supports the delivery of the carnival by judging, timekeeping, or managing events on the beach or in the water.

Qualification required: SLSA Technical Official Accreditation (online followed by a practical), WWCC.

IRB Drivers/Crew

Drive the Inflatable Rescue Boats during training and carnivals to support water safety operations. 

Qualification required: Driver – Silver medallion, WWCC. Crew – Bronze medallion, WWCC.

Trailer Drivers

Tow club trailers to and from carnivals and training, helping transport boards, tents and other essential gear.

Qualification required: Full driver’s licence, towing capability, WWCC.

Click here for more info on volunteering

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are Nipper carnivals?

Life Saving Victoria runs a number of Junior Carnivals throughout the season. A variety of individual and team events are offered at carnivals, and they are a fun way for the nippers to put their skills and training into practice.

There is an additional cost to enter the different carnivals, as well as some swimming competencies to compete in the water events (Competition Skills Evaluation. See below). See the Carnivals page for more information.

What is the OGSLSC Club Championship?

The OGSLSC Club Championships is a fun, competitive event held within our club near the end of the season where nippers get to test their skills, challenge themselves, and see how they’ve progressed over the season.

Unlike carnivals, which involve multiple clubs, the Club Championship is just for our members, making it a great opportunity for kids to compete in a supportive, familiar environment. Points are awarded based on participation and performance, and everyone’s efforts are celebrated.

Can any nipper participate in the carnivals or Club Championships?

All nippers are welcome to participate in the carnivals – it’s a great club atmosphere, and everybody is welcome. There is a mix of events – from beach events (flags, sprints, long run) to water events (swimming, boarding, wading and irons for the older age groups), made up of both team and individual events. 

Are there requirements for my nipper to participate?

For safety reasons, it is a requirement for all competitors to hold their Competition Skills Evaluation to compete in the all activities (beach & water).

For any nippers who want to participate in the States or the OGSLSC Club Championships, in addition to the Competition Skills Evaluation they must have also completed their Surf Education Certificate. This is to demonstrate a level of knowledge around the theory component of the nippers program (i.e. knowledge of rips, signals and general water safety etc). More information will be communicated about this soon.

What is the Competition Skills Evaluation?

This is a requirement for Nippers to compete at carnivals and Club Championships. It requires a continuous effort freestyle (head in the water) over a set distance, determined by age group: 

• Under 8: not required (no water competition at Nipper Carnivals, except for wade which takes place in waist deep water) 
• Under 9: Minimum 150m open water swim (continuous freestyle) 
• Under 10: Minimum 150m open water swim (continuous freestyle) 
• Under 11: Minimum 288m open water swim (continuous freestyle) 
• Under 12: Minimum 288m open water swim (continuous freestyle) 
• Under 13: Minimum 288m open water swim (continuous freestyle)

How does my nipper get assessed for their Competition Skills Evaluation?

Coaches are able to do these assessments as part of training sessions. Please speak directly with your coaches if your nipper would like to compete in carnivals, but hasn’t yet had the Competition Skills Evaluation.

Do nippers have to participate in every carnival event?

Not at all! Nippers are encouraged to have a go, but there’s no pressure to take part in every event. We understand that everyone has different confidence levels and strengths — some love the water, others prefer the beach events, and that’s perfectly okay.

The most important thing is that Nippers enjoy themselves, learn new skills, and build confidence at their own pace. Coaches and Age Managers are always there to offer support and encouragement, whether your child wants to try everything or focus on a few favourite activities.

Is there an official uniform that has to be worn?

In addition to the club high visibility club rash vest, the only mandatory OGSLSC uniform item is the club competition cap which is available for purchase at the admin office during business hours. It is a requirement of Lifesaving Victoria that all nippers wear a wide brimmed hat and covered shoulders when marshalling. While OGSLSC does sell these items, it’s not mandatory for them to be club branded. 

Nippers will be provided with a carnival wristband, and this must be worn while they’re participating. They can keep this wristband and re-use it for all carnivals they enter, so please keep track of it! Nippers who participated in carnivals last year can continue to use their same wristband this season.  If you’re new to carnivals and need a wristband, your Age Manager will distribute on the day.

You nipper should also bring standard items such as wetsuits, swim caps (particularly at the start of the season when the ocean is cold), goggles, towels and deck coats.  Don’t forget to bring plenty of food and their water bottle, it can be a long day and keeping your nipper energised & hydrated is important.