Youngsters are defying their fears to take to the water in droves.

WA surf clubs are reporting an increase in nipper numbers as the new season kicks off, after a decline in recent years that many put down to a fear of sharks.

Surf Life Saving WA figures show the intake of nippers rose 8 per cent in 2017-18, after a 6 per cent fall in the previous season and a 4 per cent fall the year before.

At North Cottesloe Life Saving Club, more than 80 new members signed up for nippers and hundreds more are continuing the program. As the club celebrates 100 years today, centenary committee chairwoman Kelly Moss said it was great to see new generations come through.

“Nippers is an amazing way to bring people back to the club,” she said. “Parents who might have lost touch with the club are coming back to bring their kids.” Ms Moss said that while sharks were in the back of people’s minds, they did not deter young swimmers from navigating the surf.

“Shark barriers and the water safety we provide while our nippers are in the water give people peace of mind,” she said.

“We wouldn’t put kids in the water when there’s risk.”

North Cottesloe nipper numbers remained steady — at about 480, aged 5 to 13 — over the past two seasons and 82 new nippers signed up to the club last weekend. Nipper training across the State starts this weekend.