Junior Surf

The Westshore Junior Surf programme caters for children from 7 - 13 years of age, and is held on Sunday mornings from 10.30am - 12pm. The season begins the first weekend after Labour Weekend and runs through until March/April the next year. Our programmes are delivered by suitably qualified instructors and lifeguards, but we do ask that parents assist where possible. We take registrations for Junior Surf all throughout the season, please contact us to find out more.

Don't forget to follow our Junior Surf Facebook Page for up-to-date information on events and cancellations.

Introduction to the Junior Surf Programme

Junior Surf is a programme run nationally through Surf Life Saving New Zealand. The focus of the programme is to encourage children to have fun, participate safely, and develop skills and confidence in the Surf Life Saving spirit of fair play. Its objectives are to:

• encourage children to participate in and enjoy Surfing and Surf Life Saving
• assist children to develop and improve their Surfing and Surf Life Saving knowledge and skills
• improve the self-image of children by developing self-confidence and social interaction skills, and
• involve parents and interested members of the community as leaders, coaches and administrators.

For a more in-depth understanding of Junior Surf, please read Surf Life Saving New Zealand's Junior Surf Parent & Whanau Handbook.

Sunday Mornings at Surf

All Sunday surf sessions begin with a team meeting at the clubhouse (normally including a good game of 'heads or tails' to warm things up!) and then children assemble in their age groups to have their names checked off by the Team Manager/Coach. Groups then break-off and participate in a variety of activities, including:

• surf safety and beach knowledge theory
• sprints & relays
• beach flags
• swimming & wading
• bodyboard & board paddling
• team games.

At 12pm, names are checked off and the session is over. If children wish to return to the water, they must be supervised by a parent and swim between the flags.

In poor weather, an alternative programme will be run, or in severe cases, the programme cancelled for the day. Please follow our Facebook page for up-to-date information.

We do require parent help and support to run Junior Surf and there are expectations of our members/athletes to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all.

Age Groups

Children train with their age group and are encouraged to enter local carnivals and wider events held throughout the season. While these aren't compulsory, they are a great opportunity to meet other athletes and experience the joy of competing. Early in the season, all athletes have the opportunity to test for their 200m badge, which they will need to compete in water events. See our Events Calendar for testing dates.

There are four groups at the junior level and are determined by their age as at 1 October - click through to see the development progression pathway for each group:

• 7 - 9 years (bodyboards & soft-boards)
• 10 & 11 years (soft-boards, advanced athletes may use the 8' 10" hard-boards)
• 12 &13 years (hard-boards up to 10' 6")
• Oceans Athletes (10 - 13 years).

Clothing & Equipment

All session members must have the following:

• suitable swimwear
• training cap ($20 each - to be purchased from the club upon registration - each age group has a different colour)
• safety vest (also $20 and purchased from the club when registering).

It can be cool before Christmas, so a wetsuit is advised for these conditions. Thermal shirts are great as well, but must be worn UNDER your safety vest.

All competing members must also wear the above and ensure their 200m badge is sewn onto their swimwear (if entering water events).

Various Westshore uniforms can be purchased from the club, including:

• tees
• hoodies
• jackets.