Damien Cave, our Australia bureau chief, shares insights on Australia, news of the world and reader feedback in this weekly newsletter. Want it by email? Sign up.

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Earlier this week, I found myself trying to explain Nippers to my editors in Hong Kong.

“It’s this Aussie beach surf lifesaving thing,” I said. “All the kids wear these colorful beanies and go down to the beach early on Sunday, and there’s swimming and running and then there are these boards and …”

My description was interrupted by laughter and questions. I could tell from our video conference call that my American editors were a bit confused. And honestly, I could relate.

I still recall having no idea what this whole Nippers thing was when we first arrived in Sydney a year ago. Even when I signed up our two children, I didn’t really understand what we were getting ourselves into.