Meet ANZA Nippers’ managers of magic!
If you’ve been to Siloso Beach on a Sunday morning, it’s pretty clear who runs the place. Yes, our ANZA Nippers are the centre of attention, but this ever-growing group would not even exist without our incredible team of volunteer trainers and guides – our Age Managers. We caught up with some of them to discover who dedicates their time and energy to our water safety sessions – and more importantly, why!
Lauren Stapleton manages the U8 age group. She got into ANZA Nippers initially to support her daughter Poppy, but she loved being on the beach and by the water every weekend, so decided to get even more involved.
“Coming from Australia, I love knowing we’re taking our kids outdoors and putting them into an environment that slightly resembles home,” she says. “We teach them skills they wouldn’t typically learn in a pool, and it’s great to see the enthusiasm, determination, and fun they have when participating.”
Matteo Sessantini, who manages the U6 age group, is in full agreement: “As a passionate advocate for water sports and youth development, being an Age Manager at ANZA Nippers is about more than just teaching kids how to swim or paddle – it’s about empowering them with the skills and confidence to thrive in open water environments.”
“One of the great things about the group is that we cover so many different activities, from beach runs to ocean swims, so every kid is going to feel more comfortable in one area and more challenged in another,” observes Emma Humann, who is an Assistant Age Manager for the U8’s. “It gives everyone a chance to feel really good about themselves and to also push themselves to do something that’s a little harder.”
Kellie Pearson is an Assistant Age Manager for the U6 group. She has a joke that the kids “ensure that Siloso Beach is the cleanest beach in Singapore” with the regular rubbish collection that happens before each session. It’s a very valid point!
Bringing out the best
The competition – especially on the last day of the term – can get pretty intense, but even this is a great learning experience for the children. “In the lead-up to, and during, the end-of-year competition last year, three of the kids in U6 were very competitive with each other,” reflects Cliff De Laine, who’s an Assistant Age Manager for the U7’s. “At the medal ceremony, the three of them, each having placed differently, congratulated one another, laughed about the competition, and encouraged those who didn’t do so well.” ANZA Nippers brings out the best in everyone.
“parents can also be markers, support with equipment, provide fruit, and set up”
Some of our Age Managers also volunteer on big surf beaches in Oz and have qualified there. Emma said: “We spend every Aussie summer on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria where I’m an Age Manager for the summer season.”
ANZA Nippers’ Age Managers go through a programme to qualify: all of them have been awarded the Bronze Medallion – a formal qualification in Australian Surf Lifesaving Clubs. They also train in child safety, and receive both theoretical and practical training on surf safety, CPR, and life-saving methods.
Lauren continues, “Even if parents don’t want to get qualified to the level of being an Age Manager, we encourage full parent support on the beach. This way, even if families are new to this, parents can also be markers, support with equipment, provide fruit, and set up. It’s great for all to get involved.”
Reflecting that our Age Managers have serious careers off the beach, there’s a final observation from Kellie: “A funny thing is that when bumping into ANZA Nippers parents away from the water, compliments are always about appearance … I’m definitely wearing more clothing and have my hair and makeup done away from the sand!”
