MORE than 200 nippers took part in the first junior state surf lifesaving carnival of the season at Port Sorell yesterday.
Freers Beach was crowded with future lifesavers from the North-West Coast and Southern clubs Clifton Beach and Carlton Park.
Port Sorell club vice- president Stuart Dickson said the Nippers program offered events ranging from long distance beach runs to board work out on the water.
"It is a wonderful day and it is fantastic to see these kids here learning, getting fit, running round on the beach and learning life-time water skills," Mr Dickson said.
"The nippers program has developed ... and it keeps getting bigger and bigger, a lot of the clubs have got good numbers this year."