Sandcrabs 5-6 Year Olds
Sand crabs is about introducing the kids to the surf environment and building on their confidence at the beach while teaching them fundamental surf safety skills. It consists of a 45-minute majority beach-based session with water activities up to the child's knee height. We encourage parent involvement to support our coaches, especially when doing water-based activities.
Nippers 7-10 Year Olds
Nippers will introduce your kids to the surf environment and build your children’s confidence by teaching them fundamental water safety skills.
It consists of 1-hour sessions in which qualified Surf Lifeguards teach your children water safety rules, coaching surf sports on the beach and water safety skills in the sea.
We split the groups into 7-8 year olds (Little Nippers) and 9-10 year olds (Big Nippers) although we also make sure each child is in a group that is best for their ability.
Cadets 11-12 Year Olds
This broad programme is a large step up from Nipper's and includes an introduction to the competitive side of Surf Lifesaving and patrolling.
The courses consist of 1-hour beach sessions in which qualified Surf Lifeguards teach your children water safety rules, coaching surf sports on the beach, and water safety skills in the sea. Cadets will begin to learn about the role of a lifeguard and will receive an introduction to basic first aid.
Rookies 13 Year Olds
The Rookie Lifeguard Programme has been designed to help junior surf members prepare to be a Surf Lifeguard. The Rookie Lifeguard Programme aims to promote practical lifeguarding to the younger members and develop strong ties between senior and junior members as a result of involvement.
The courses consist of 1.5-hour sessions in which qualified Surf Lifeguards teach your child.
- Introduction to risk management
- Surf & swimming skills
- Patrol operations
- Communications
- Tube rescue, tows & releases
- Basic First Aid
- Patrol equipment & SLS culture
Pre-requisites
- Be 13 years of age by the 1st of October
- Be able to swim 200 meters in a pool in under 4:30mins
- Current member of an SLS club
Junior Surf Sports
Junior surf sports is an opportunity for 8-11-year-olds to work on their competition skills, such as kneeboarding, and beach flags in preparation for surf carnivals (where SLS clubs compete against each other).
Junior surf sports training sessions are run every day during the summer season. To register your child, tick "surf sports" on the Junior Surf registration form.
Sign up process
Your child must be a current member of the Whiritoa Lifeguard Service (via SLSNZ) before joining Junior Surf.
New members can submit an application via SLSNZ here.
Please complete one form for each participating child.
Junior Surf Sport registration is an additional $50 per child.
Whiritoa Lifeguard Service
1 Kon Tiki Road,
Whiritoa, Waikato,
New Zealand 3691
