Tasmania’s newest surf lifesaving club, Raspins Beach, has been making some serious waves over the last few years as the club carries out their seventh consecutive nippers season. 

The last 12 months in particular saw Raspins reach significant new heights, with the club’s  nippers participating in their first surf carnival as well as officially submitting a club cap and club colours design for SLSA approval. 

And while the club waits to receive this approval, proud club member Caroline Lamont can not believe how far they have come since their humble beginnings in 2018. 

“To build the club from the bottom up has been an exciting journey and a big learning curve for all involved,” said Caroline.

“We have received a lot of advice and support from right across the state since we started, particularly from neighbouring clubs, which we are truly grateful for.

“We learn so much from their skills, enthusiasm and love for all things nippers.”

A nippers program at Raspins Beach was the dream of late Tasmanian surf lifesaving legend Sean McCarthy. 

Sean sadly passed away in 2017 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. 

Caroline believes that Sean would be proud of how far the nippers program has come, culminating in the club's maiden appearance, as their own entity, at the Carlton Park Surf Carnival last season. 

While Caroline admits that the club may have been a little underprepared for last season's carnival, she says it was a fantastic opportunity for the club. 

“It was an absolute privilege to provide our nippers the opportunity to experience the carnival atmosphere,” said Caroline. 

“For their first carnival our nippers gave it a red hot crack with some great results on the beach.”

The club is looking forward to a big 2025 as they prepare for the second carnival appearance in February, look to finalise becoming an incorporated club and seek to expand their membership base. 

“We are focusing on attracting, educating and training more adult members," said Caroline. 

“This is essential to ensure that we can continue to provide a nipper program that is accessible to every child in our community. 

“We aspire to one day have a surf lifesaving club at Spring Beach, where we can streamline our nippers program and provide more patrols over summer to help keep beachgoers safe.”