Junior Surf

Waihī Beach Junior Surf is a fun summer programme that helps tamariki:

  • build confidence and learn practical surf and water-safety skills.
  • stay active through the summer season and make new friends.
  • explore pathways into surf lifesaving sport, rookie lifeguarding and, from age 14, train to become a qualified surf lifeguard.

At Waihī Beach, Junior Surf is the beginning of a lifelong connection with our beach, our club, our community and Surf Lifesaving New Zealand (SLSNZ).

Our programme is guided by SLSNZ’s values of Kapa Kotahi (One Team), striving for excellence and fun, with every child supported to learn, contribute and achieve at their own level. 


Registrations are now open for the 2026/27 season.

At a glance: what you need to know

Register using the link above and complete the required membership details for each child. Once registration and payment are complete, we will subscribe you to the newsletter mailing list and send you the information you need before your first session.
Children aged 5–13 can join Junior Surf, with age-appropriate activities and pathways for different skill levels.

New members aged 10+ can enter through the Development Squad potentially into our Oceans Squad, and also progress into Rookie Lifeguarding.

Children who turn five during the season can start on their birthday. Unfortunately due to our insurance they cannot start prior.
SLSNZ Junior Surf age groups are based on your child’s age at midnight on 30 September before the season begins.

E.g. 10 on 30 September = U11, Turns 10 on 1 October = U10
It all kicks off at the Club: Sun 15 Nov 10am.

Runs at the beach till Sun 7 Mar except for:

  • Sun 22 Nov 10am: Pool Swim Assessment Day (pool TBC). All athletes U6+ to attend. Exceptions - athletes enrolled in Pool Rescue Training 2026, Winter Craft Programme 2026, or who competed at Oceans 2025. These athletes can go straight to the Club ready to start at 10am.
  • Sun 27 Dec and Sun 3 Jan: No Junior Surf - Xmas break.
  • Sun 31 Jan: No Junior Surf - Auckland Anniversary Weekend
  • Sun 7 Feb: No Junior Surf - we are hosting a massive three-day Surf Boat Spectacular including international teams! Come along and watch in awe!!
Other key events:
  • Sun 20 Dec: Xmas Junior Surf with a very special visitor.
  • Thur 25 – Sun 28 Feb: Oceans Festival (the national Junior Surf Lifesaving Sport Festival), Papamoa Beach Surf Lifesaving Club. Junior Surf is still on but we’d welcome your support for our U11 - U14’s on Saturday - come watch the action!
  • Sun 7 Mar: Waihī Beach Junior Surf Club Champs and Prize Giving U6-U14.
Plus our rookies, lifeguards, powercraft drivers and crews, and patrol support are going to give you hands on demos of what's next after Junior Surf - date TBC!
Sunday 10am-12pm.

Oceans, Development and Rookie programmes offer additional sessions over and above our core Sunday mornings, with schedules provided separately.
Waihī Beach Surf Lifeguard Services, 2 Beach Road, Waihi Beach, 3611
Junior Surf is not a learn-to-swim programme. Some activities have swimming or safety requirements but children build confidence progressively through age-appropriate activities. Contact us before registering if you are unsure which option is right for your child .

All Junior Surf, Development and Ocean Squad participants who wish to paddle a knee board are required to complete a 200m safety badge test before the start of the season. To complete the badge, participants must swim 200m in a pool unaided in under 7 minutes, followed by 1 minute of treading water unaided. They must then complete a 200m ocean swim. This needs to be completed every season. Refer above for details of our pool assessment day. The ocean swim is undertaken as part of our Sunday morning programme.
Swimwear, towel, sunscreen, sun hat, goggles, water bottle, warm dry clothes for afterwards, and optional wetsuit for cooler conditions. A club cap and hi-vis vest are also required for competitions and from U11+.
Please arrive 10 minutes before the session to sign in and get ready. Children must be signed out before leaving.

Families are welcome to attend when they can. Regular attendance helps children build confidence and skills, and may be required for some competition and development opportunities.
Yes. A parent or guardian is required to remain at the beach during Junior Surf sessions. There are plenty of simple ways to get involved, including:

  • helping set up or pack down
  • supporting activities on the beach.
  • helping in the water under the direction of the water-safety team.
  • assisting with equipment, administration, fundraising or the BBQ.
  • supporting age groups at carnivals or officiating.
You do not need to be a surf lifeguard or an experienced ocean swimmer to contribute.
Activities may be changed, moved or cancelled depending on surf, weather and safety conditions. Updates will be shared through Facebook and email or Heja for additional Oceans/Development Squad training.
Surf lifesaving sport brings together beach, swimming, board, rescue and team events that build fitness, confidence and practical surf skills. At Waihī Beach, the focus is on giving every child a welcoming place to learn and improve, whether they are trying a local carnival for fun or working towards regional and national competition. We support participation at every level while helping our athletes develop the skills, resilience and teamwork needed to achieve great things – and our athletes do!
To ensure Junior Surf Club members have access to suitable surf-craft/equipment to support their sports and lifeguard development, the Club has foam (foamie) and fibreglass kneeboards available for hire on a per season basis. All equipment is allocated relative to skill levels, commitment to training, attendance at competitions and Club involvement. All Junior Surf athletes wishing to train on and use either a foam or fibreglass kneeboard must register and confirm they have read and agreed to the Equipment Policy and Hire Form before equipment allocation can take place.
Base membership $110:
  • Club and SLSNZ membership for one child and one associate adult member
  • Sunday Junior Surf sessions
Optional development, sport or equipment costs apply for:
  • Use of boards and other club equipment (10+)
  • Additional Development or Oceans Squad training
  • Rookie Lifeguarding
  • Skull cap
  • Hi-vis vest
Additional costs may apply for some competitions, camps, and equipment.
It is a requirement that all Junior Surf members must also become a member of Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ). This will give your child/ren a SLSNZ member number which will be with them throughout their surf life. There are no costs to register and membership will be automatic on completion of club registration

If you are already a member of SLSNZ and wish to transfer from an existing club to Waihi Beach Lifeguard Services please log into your SLSNZ account and complete the transfer process.
Sign up for our social media channels including our Junior Surf Facebook page. You will also receive regular Waihī Beach Club and Junior Surf newsletters through the year.

Waihi Beach Junior Surf Facebook

Waihi Beach Club Facebook

Waihi Beach Club Insta

Our Waihi Beach Club E-Newsletter sign up

Heja (for U11+ ahletes) - download the app, select Waihi Beach Surf Sport and enter code PC-549727