Junior Surf

About Junior Surf

Junior Surf is a fantastic way for families to become involved in Surf Lifesaving. It teaches kids from the age of 5 years old up to 13 (Rookies), how to stay safe at the beach and in the water while acquiring new skills, having heaps of fun and making new friends. Children must be aged 5 to start Nippers and can start any time after their 5th birthday during the season. 13 year olds participate in our Rookie Lifeguard program designed to equip them to get their surf lifeguard award at age 14. Junior Surf also offers an additional introductory program (Oceans Development/Junior Lifesaving Sport) for those interested in becoming competitive athletes.

For your youngsters 14 and up, please go to the Lifeguarding and Lifesaving Sport pages of the website to see how they can become part of the Club’s lifesaving and sport programs. We encourage children to have fun and develop their skills, so that they can enjoy the beach and one day might be able to save someone else too. It’s about developing tomorrow’s lifeguards and surf lifesaving sport athletes and opening up a whole new world to children. Whangamatā has historically had one of the biggest programs in New Zealand.

For parents,/caregivers Junior Surf is also great way for them to become involved in Surf Life Saving, by helping out on the beach and in the water; volunteering to help manage the program or even as a pathway for them becoming a Surf Lifeguard/Patrol support volunteer and/or being involved in the management or governance of the club.