Junior Surf PROGRAMME

Programme Overview and Key Dates

Age groups have their own dedicated coach(s) who will oversee the activities and teach those all-important beach skills, however parents/caregivers will be asked to participate actively in the sessions on a roster basis.

Key Dates:  We run two 12 session Junior Surf programs so as to accommodate families’ various commitments, location and movements over the summer months.  A Entire Season Sunday program and a Peak program. The Sunday program runs from 9th November to 25th January); and the Peak program runs Sunday/Monday/Tuesday from 28th December to 20th January.

Our sessions are designed to align with the Surf Life Saving NZ 12 session program for various age groups. Certificates of completion and participation will be provided to those who complete the core components of the program.

Download Junior Surf Parent & Whanau Handbook

During the season we may need to cancel Junior Surf sessions due to adverse weather conditions. During the peak period from 28th December to 21st January we have a few make up days to account for this.

Over the season there are several carnivals that our 8-14 year olds can participate in and of course our annual Coromandel Cup which is happening on the 7th January!

Junior Surf Sessions

Age Groups

Participants are split into age groups from under 6s to Under 14s (rookies) – based on their age from 30th September. e.g. if your child turns 7 before 30 Sept, they will be in the under 8 age group, if they turn 7 after 30 September, they will be in the under 7 age group

Dates and times
  • Under 6 and Under 8 – 10.00am – 11.00am
  • Under 10 and Under 12 – 10.00-11.30am
  • Under 14 – Rookies – 11.30am – 1pm
  • Oceans Development (Junior Surf Sport) 9+ – 2pm – 3.30pm

200m badge testing – All participants in the Under 10 and above age groups who want to paddle a kneeboard (or participate in the Oceans Development program) must complete an annual 200m badge test. There will be a number of pool sessions set up outside of the core program times to enable children to do this test.

Key Season Dates
  • Entire Season Launch – Sunday 9th November – registration from 9.30am and parent briefing.
  • Peak Season Launch – Sunday 28th December – registration form 9.30am and parent briefing.
  • Prizegiving and Awards Disco – Tuesday 20th January
Uniform

All JS participants are required to wear a vest and Whangamatā surf life saving cap. Wetsuits are encourage on colder days and full rash shirts on sunny days.

You can purchase a cap and vest when you register online which will be available at your first session. $5 for both

Stay for a kai

At the end of every Sunday session we encourage our junior members and families to stay and share kai (food) in an information gathering. All profits from the sale of food goes back into the running of the club

Keep up to date

Please ensure you join our team reach page WSLSC JS 2025/26 Code WSLSCJS2025 for daily notices and regular updates. You may also like to check out our Junior Surf facebook page for photos and highlights that you can share with family and friends.

Annual beach clean up

JUNIOR SURF – Fees


To participate in the Junior Surf Program your child need to be a member of the Whangamatā Surf Life Saving Club. All Junior Surf members must be registered and accompanied by a parent/caregiver/guardian, who are encouraged to become associate members.

  • WSLSC Junior Membership Fee – $30
  • Program Fee – Entire Season – 12 week Sunday program– starting 9th Nov – 25th January = $35 per child – Cap and Vest – $5
  • Peak season program 12 sessions every, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday – starting 28th December till 20th January $35 per child – Cap and Vest $5
  • Oceans Development – Gear Fee $50

*Participants first sessions are have a go to see if they enjoy the program and want to continue! Please make enquiries with our team if you are only here for a few days over the summer months to see how you might still be able to participate. These are $10 per session.

* Membership and program fee Includes entry to Coro cup on 7th January and catch up sessions (scheduled for Wed 14th and Wed 21st January 2026)

* 200m badge pool sessions will be an additional charge made upon entry to the local pool.

Separate carnivals will be an additional charge.

Associate membership Fee – Over 18 – $40 per person (if you have more than one child taking part in JS, you only need one Associate Member for the family)