Junior Surf begins with our Nippers programme running Sunday morning from 10.00am–12.00pm, starting Sunday 12th October 2025 through to1st  March 2026. We take a break over the Christmas/New Year period afterSunday 22nd December; starting back again early January 4th 2026.

Nippers is a great opportunity for families to become involved in surf lifesaving. Nippers teaches kids how to keep themselves and their friends safe at the beach while having heaps of fun along the way. 

Nippers is not about teaching your child to swim. We focus on survival and rescue skills that are extremely valuable to children when enjoying time at any beach. Our Surf Life Saving education teaches Nippers everything they need to know to be a young surf lifesaver, starting with surf awareness and learning about rips.

Nippers Membership $65.00 per child*

*We require a parent/guardian Associate Membership registration of $35.00 (for the first child registered for each Junior Surf family)

Complete your child/rens registration first, then using the registration email you receive from us; log into your profile and then register yourself from the top of the page, choosing the 'Associate Member' in the 'Choose Groups' drop down.

In the Downloads section you will find the Junior Surf Calendar for the 2025-2026 season.

The Junior Surf Calendar is useful to save for reference. (If you are on a device, scroll to the very bottom of the page).

Ocean Athletes Programme Overview

The Ocean Athletes Programme is designed for young surf lifesavers aged 10 to 13 (or 14) and bridges the gap between Junior Surf and more advanced surf sports or lifeguarding roles.

Key Features:

• Focus on core surf skills:
  • Board paddling
  • Surf swimming
  • Rescue scenarios (tube and board)
  • Beach sprints, beach flags, and team relays
• Emphasis on club values:
  • Fun, Respect, Excellence, Encouragement, Commitment
• Athletes can train up to 6 times a week and compete regionally throughout the summer. There is no commitment to attend every session as kids have lots of other sports that can take priority. The program repeats so kids don’t miss out.
• Entry requirement: 200m surf swim and a trial session to assess fitness and readiness.

Competition Format

Athletes compete in the Oceans Festival in February —a full carnival-style surf lifesaving event.

Event Categories:

• Water Events:
  • Surf swim races
  • Board races
  • Diamond race
• Rescue Simulations:
  • Tube rescue
  • Board rescue
• Beach Events:
  • Beach sprint
  • Beach flags
  • Distance runs
• Team Relays:
  • Beach, Board and Cameron relays

These events are age-appropriate but reflect the structure and excitement of senior surf lifesaving disciplines.

Why It Matters

• Skill Development: Provides structured training in essential surf and rescue skills.
• Pathways: Builds a foundation for future involvement in surf sports and patrolling.
• Community Engagement: Encourages teamwork and bonding among clubs nationwide.
• Lifeguard Pipeline: Many Ocean Athletes transition into volunteer and professional lifeguard roles—this is often where a lifelong passion begins.

Surf Lifesaving Pathway in NZ

• Surf Lifesaving New Zealand (SLSNZ) supports over 74 clubs across the country.
• The development pathway includes:
  • Junior Surf (Nippers): Ages 5–14 – focuses on beach and water safety.
  • Ocean Athletes / Oceans Festival: Ages 10–14 – introduces competitive surf sport.
  • Surf Lifeguard Award: From age 14 – qualifies athletes for volunteer patrolling and senior events.

Oceans Training Programme

Start Date: Monday, 6th October 2025
End Date: Sunday, 22nd February 2026
Duration: 20 weeks

Weekly Training Schedule (Term 4 & 1)

• Monday to Friday: 4:15 PM – 5:30 PM
• Saturday: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Summer Holiday Schedule

• To Be Confirmed – pending confirmation of coach availability.

For further questions regarding registration or costs, and how to get involved; including a free trial session for your child, email info@mountlifeguards.co.nz 

2025/2026 Oceans Season Fees

Ocean Athlete Membership: $65.00 per child                                                              AssociateMembership for parent/guardian $35.00 (one required per family)         Oceans Coaching Fee: $280.00                                                                          Board Hire Fee: $170.00 (allocated by Head Coach)

Additional surf carnival entry fees are invoiced after the event upon individual entry. 

In the Downloads section you will find the Ocean Athletes Season Calendar. 

The Rookie lifeguard programme is an exciting, free, structured transition programme from Nippers or Ocean atheltes, into active lifeguarding every summer.  Rookie lifeguards participate in a training programme and assist lifeguards on weekend patrols, until they turn 14 and can sit the Surf Life Saving New Zealand 'Surf Lifeguard Award'. 

They can also compete in the SLSNZ Eastern Region, Rookies Championships, held in March 2026.

Sessions are held on Sunday from November to February, with a small break over the Christmas/New Year period, with some additional hours "on patrol" weekends, to suit your family schedule.

Rookies are 12 (and turning 13 before March 31st 2026) and 13 year olds, who can swim 200 meters in a pool in under 4 minutes 30 seconds wishing to become Lifeguards next season. 

Our Rookie Lifeguard muster is on a Sunday, mid-November at 10.00am upstairs in the Member Lounge at the club.

We invite all keen Rookies and a parent/guardian to attend - meet your Rookie Coordinator Justin, and find out what the season will involve, pick up your Rookie Lifeguard uniform and ask any questions before the programme kicks off. 

Register your child from October 2025 for our Rookie Lifeguard programme and Junstin, our Rookie LIfeguard Co-ordinator will be in touch with eligible Junior Surf members. 

All you need to participate is a current club Junior Surf Nippers, or Ocean Athletes Season Membership:$65.00 per child.