Australia's only club and school community — free with every order.
"Club Captain has gone above and beyond to ensure our needs have been met, even in a remote area. I highly recommend their service."
— Nicole
The World's Best Selling Water Remover. Built for Ovals, Cricket Grounds, and Large Sports Fields.
The Super Sopper Sandpiper is the world's best selling manually operated water remover — and the machine most Australian clubs reach for when a wet oval, cricket ground, or large sports field is standing between them and a full day of fixtures. Its 48 litre holding tank and 600mm foam roller remove up to 25mm of surface water per pass, covering large ground areas efficiently before needing to be emptied. No power, no setup, no waiting for the weather to cooperate — wheel it out, push it across the field, and get the game on.
An Australian invention since 1974 and listed in the Powerhouse Museum's top 100 Australian innovations of the 20th century, the Super Sopper is standard equipment at cricket grounds, racecourses, and major sports facilities worldwide. The Sandpiper brings that same proven technology to clubs and facilities that need serious water removal capacity without a motorised machine — the most capable manual model in the range, purpose-built for the scale of a full-sized Australian sports ground.
📦 What you need to know
48 litre holding tank · 600mm wide foam roller · Removes up to 25mm deep surface water per pass · 48kg dry weight · No power required · Works on grass, synthetic, clay, hard court, and concrete · Made in Australia · Suitable for operators 15 years and older
Cricket Clubs Protecting Wickets and OutfieldsThe Sandpiper has been used at cricket grounds from club level to international venues for decades. Clear the outfield, protect the square, and get the covers off faster after rain. The 48 litre tank means fewer stops to empty across a large ground.
AFL, Soccer, Rugby, and Football Clubs with Large OvalsA full-sized AFL oval or football field is too much ground for a small machine to cover efficiently. The Sandpiper's 48 litre capacity means you can work across large wet patches and low-lying areas without constantly stopping to empty — the game-day timeline stays on track.
Multi-Sport Facilities Managing Multiple FieldsFacilities with multiple grass fields need a machine that can work continuously without constant downtime. The Sandpiper moves efficiently from one field to the next, its larger tank reducing the frequency of emptying stops across a morning of pre-game preparation.
Clubs That Regularly Deal with Wet Weather CancellationsIf your club has cancelled fixtures due to a wet ground that would have been playable an hour later, the Sandpiper is the investment that pays for itself in the first season. Fixture cancellations cost clubs gate revenue, canteen sales, membership satisfaction, and player retention — the Sandpiper prevents all of it.
Schools and Councils Managing Large Playing SurfacesLarge ovals, athletic tracks, and multi-use fields used by schools and councils see heavy use and need to recover quickly after rain. The Sandpiper handles the scale of these surfaces without requiring power, fuel, or specialist operators.
The world's best selling manual water removerThe Sandpiper is the largest selling Super Sopper model worldwide — trusted by clubs, councils, cricket grounds, racecourses, and professional sporting venues across the globe. It's the model most facilities reach for when they need serious manual water removal capacity.
48 litre tank — fewer stops, more ground coveredThe 48 litre holding tank is more than double the Minnow's capacity — meaning you cover significantly more ground before needing to empty. On a large oval or cricket outfield that difference is meaningful, keeping the operator moving and the pre-game timeline on track.
Removes up to 25mm of surface water per passThe 600mm foam roller absorbs surface water on contact and the squeeze roller forces it continuously into the holding tank as you push. Up to 25mm deep surface water cleared per pass — most wet patches on a grass field are in playable condition within a focused session.
No power, no setup — wheel out and goNo batteries, no fuel, no power points. Roll it out of the shed, push it across the field, and the foam roller does the work. Suitable for any operator 15 years and older — no specialist training, no complex operation, just push and cover ground.
Works on every surfaceGrass, synthetic grass, clay, hard court, and concrete — the Sandpiper handles all of them. Safe for synthetic surfaces, effective on cricket squares, and proven on everything from grass ovals to synthetic hockey fields and athletic tracks.
Easy to empty — tip and drainWhen the 48 litre tank fills, tip the Sandpiper on its side over a drain or any suitable area and the water empties by gravity. Back upright and rolling in seconds — no valves, no pumps, no tools. The larger tank means you empty less frequently than a smaller machine.
Proudly made in Australia since 1974The Super Sopper was invented in Australia in 1974 by Gordon Withnall and is listed in the Powerhouse Museum's top 100 Australian innovations of the 20th century. It's been standard equipment at Lord's Cricket Ground, the MCG, and sports venues worldwide for over 50 years — and it's still made in Australia today.
Grant Funding — Could This Be Covered?
Facility maintenance equipment is eligible under a range of grants available to Australian sports clubs, schools, and community organisations — including state sport and recreation grants, local council community facility programs, and school facility upgrade funding. At Club Captain we help clubs find the right grant, scope the project, build a strong application, and submit with confidence.
Ovals · cricket grounds · large fields · multi-sport facilities
Minimum operator age
15 years
Tank emptying
Tip on side — gravity drain
Origin
Made in Australia
Delivery
Free shipping Australia-wide
How much ground can it cover before emptying?
The 48 litre tank gives you significantly more continuous coverage than smaller models. Exactly how far depends on how much water is on the surface — on a moderately wet ground most operators can cover a substantial portion of a field before needing to empty. The larger tank is the key reason the Sandpiper is the preferred model for ovals and large fields.
Is the Sandpiper or the Minnow right for us?
The Sandpiper is built for ovals, cricket grounds, large fields, and venues where you need to cover serious ground — 48 litre tank, 48kg dry, the world's best selling model for a reason. The Minnow is lighter at 20kg dry with a 20 litre tank — better suited to courts, small fields, tight spaces, and venues where portability matters more than capacity. If you're unsure, call us on 1300 715 818 and we'll help you choose.
How do I empty the tank?
Tip the Sandpiper on its side over a drain or suitable area and the water empties by gravity through the side outlet. No valves, no pumps, no tools required. Back upright and rolling again in seconds.
Will it damage synthetic surfaces or cricket squares?
No — the foam roller is safe for synthetic grass, hard courts, clay, and cricket squares. The Super Sopper has been used on cricket pitches from club grounds to international venues for decades without surface damage. It is also used on synthetic bowling greens and synthetic hockey fields.
How do I maintain it?
Rinse the foam roller with clean water after use to remove debris and dirt. Store with the roller raised off the ground using the handle rest position to prevent the foam taking a flat set. Replacement foam pads are available when the roller eventually needs replacing.
Is it grant eligible?
Yes — facility maintenance equipment is eligible under a range of grants available to Australian sports clubs, schools, and community organisations. Start with The Grant Playbook →
Once your order is confirmed we get it moving straight away. You'll receive tracking as soon as it leaves the warehouse. If you're unsure whether the Sandpiper or Minnow is the right fit for your ground, call us on 1300 715 818 before you order and we'll help you decide.
Free shipping Australia-wide — metro, regional, and rural. No surprise freight costs at checkout.
Need Something Smaller?
The Sandpiper is the right machine for large fields, ovals, and high-volume water removal. If your club manages courts, a small ground, or needs something lighter and easier to manoeuvre in tight spaces — the Super Sopper Minnow is built for that job. Same proven technology, 20kg dry weight, 20 litre tank, light enough for anyone to use.
