Junior Surf

Develop Skills and Confidence in the Surf

Junior Surf is based around the premise of encouraging all children to have fun, participate safely and develop skills and confidence in the surf. Children are taught water confidence, general surf awareness and competition skills through instruction and fun on the beach.

Safety for the participants is a top priority, alongside having fun! Qualified Surf Lifeguards are always present to ensure safety.

Parents/caregivers are encouraged to help out with the program. Training can be provided for those interested.

Junior Surf

The purpose of junior surf is to:

  • Encourage our children to have fun
  • Develop our children confidence and skills in the surf
  • Participate in safe surf activities provided by the club
  • Provide future pathways including into lifeguarding

Who should attend:

  • Children age 3 to 13
  • Parents and caregivers are required to help and support their child and others

When and where

  • From the weekend after Labour weekend, every Sunday from 10am to 12pm, until the weekend before Easter weekend
  • At the Raglan Surf Life Saving Club, Ngarunui beach – Downstairs from the clubhouse, at the top of the hill, in front of the rolling doors
  • Please avoid parking on carparks reserved for lifeguards on duty

Rookie Programme

At 13 years old, our junior surf members are eligible for special training to help them prepare to become a Surf Lifeguard, for more information please contact juniorsurf@raglansurflifesaving.org.nz or have a chat with any of our friendly coaches.

Curtis

Coach Tadpoles under 7 years old

1. Male surf lifesaver in yellow uniform and red cap at Raglan Beach, New Zealand, promoting safety and rescue services.

Travis

Coach A Group 7-9 years old

Lobster catch by Raglan Surf Lifesaving team, showcasing coastal safety and marine life conservation.

Ruby

Coach B Group 10-11 years old

1. Female surf lifesaver smiling in yellow helmet and wetsuit giving thumbs up at Raglan Beach, demonstrating surf lifesaving skills and safety.

Olivia

Coach C Group 12-13 years old

Rookie Lifeguard Programme

The Rookie Lifeguard Programme is an exciting and structured training programme that helps Junior Surf members move from Nippers into Surf Lifeguarding. Rookie lifeguards participate in a training program and assist lifeguards on weekend patrols, until they turn 14 and can sit the Surf Life Saving New Zealand, ‘Surf Lifeguard Award”.

It promotes practical lifeguarding experience, builds essential lifeguarding skills, and strengthens connections between Junior and Senior club members.
The programme is designed for 13 year olds, looking towards becoming a lifeguard next summer. Candidates must be able to swim 200 meters in a pool, working towards under 4 minutes and 30 seconds.

The programme runs Sundays from November through March, with a short break over the Christmas/New Year period.

Rookies also spend additional hours on patrol during weekends, flexible to suit family schedules.

To participate, all you need is a current Junior Surf membership; $20, and a positive, willing attitude. To register, sign up on Friendly Manager (Under members on the website, as a Junior Surf member).

The season kicks off with a Rookie / Junior Surf Muster at the surf club (details TBC), where rookies and their parents or guardians can meet the Rookie Lifeguard Coordinator, collect uniforms, and learn briefly more about what to expect.

Throughout the training, rookies will complete modules covering several topics, including:

  • health, sun safety and conservation
  • surf and swimming skills;
  • the role of a surf lifeguard and patrolling
  • signals, flags and radio operations
  • rescues and tube rescue
  • first aid and emergency care
  • primary survey and CPR
  • practical surf skills
  • patrol equipment and clubhouse use
  • Surf Life Saving club structure and culture

At the completion of the programme, rookies will be able to identify the role of a Surf Lifeguard and demonstrate a wide range of key surf lifeguarding and safety skills.

Ready to get started?

To begin training or for more information, please contact rookiecoordinator@raglansurflifesaving.org.nz
Olivia, Rookie Program Coordinator