Why nippers clubs in Devon and Cornwall are booming after lockdown

Flat as a pancake and with a long shoreline, Carlyon Bay on Cornwall’s south coast seems well suited for a meandering walk or building sandcastles.

However, thousands are expected to converge on the beach this weekend for the Cornish Nipper Championships, marking a huge feat for Carlyon Bay Surf Life Saving Club, which was only set up two years ago and still operates out of a shipping container.

Club captain Harry Edwards said interest in joining the club had “really exploded” since its establishment.

Surf Life Saving GB said the growth of the club was a “huge achievement” and reflected a trend across Devon and Cornwall where there were now waiting lists to join nippers in all its clubs.

Nippers is a junior activities programme run by surf lifesaving clubs for children aged five to 13.

It aims to teach water safety skills but also improve children’s physical fitness through activities such as beach flags, sprints, surf swims and board events.

Along with the Cornish Nipper Championships, more than 300 children will also be competing in the Devon Nipper Championships at Saunton Sands this weekend.

Mr Edwards said he and a few others decided to set up the club to address “a dearth” of them on the south coast.

“We might not have the big surf at places like Woolacombe and Fistral, but the sea is still ultimately dangerous and surf lifesaving is a worthwhile sport – it’s something that was missing in the area,” he said.

“Fast forward a couple of years we have just shy of 100 members now.

“It’s really exploded and we also have a waiting list nearly constantly.”

Surf Life Saving GB said its membership across the country had grown from 8,820 to 10,389 since 2022, an 18% rise.

The increase is primarily being driven by nippers, particularly in Devon and Cornwall, said chief executive Anna Smee.

“We’re seeing lots more children and young people want to get involved along with their families right across Devon and Cornwall,” she said.

“I think after Covid people got really interested in spending time on the beach and in nature – they see the positive physical and mental health benefits.

“It’s getting children off screens, out of the house, down on the beach and out with their friends.

“This means we’re raising a generation of children who understand how to stay safe in the water.”

Ms Smee said the organisation was appealing for more volunteers to help support its growth.

“The simple reason why there are waiting lists is we just need more volunteers,” she said.

“So we would love to be able to welcome all of the children and young people into our clubs [but] we need more adults who are prepared to come and be on the beaches with them.

“There isn’t yet good enough knowledge [of the sea]. We’re really keen to expand training to as many people as possible and make sure people know how to keep themselves safe.”

Mr Edwards said interest in the ocean was “expanding on all fronts”, particularly after Covid, making water awareness a vital skill.

“You used to have to pay £1,200 for a paddleboard but now you can go and get them from Tesco, rightly or wrongly, for much, much cheaper,” he said.

“More and more people are seeing the opportunity to get out on the coast and see the beautiful environment we’ve got.

“People are starting to appreciate it in volumes… that means there’s more people getting into trouble but that spurs on people like us to educate people.

“Surf lifesaving is massive in Australia – prime time newsworthy, and we’re following that closely.”