Junior Surf is the name we give to our junior lifeguard training programmes for children between 7 and 13 years. This programme usually runs for about four weeks over the Christmas/New Year holiday period. It is designed to teach the participants water safety and beach skills in a fun friendly environment. Junior Surf consists of two age group divisions:
- Nippers for children of 7-9 years of age
- Cadets for children of 10-13 years of age
The program is customised to suit the age groups of the participants. A typical nipper program will include the following aspects
- Beach flags
- Beach relays/sprints
- Water activities – including basic water safety for the younger members leading on to basic boogie board use and techinques
The cadet program is focused on more advanced skills and preparing the participants to become qualified lifeguards at some stage in the future. Cadets do do more work developing their abilities to handle the ‘surf’ environment, develop their confidence and general abilities in larger surf conditions. The programme provides participants with the opportunity to progress their training onto bigger knee/paddle boards, as well as learning other basic skills such knots, first aid, and equipment care.
The Junior Surf programme relies heavily on parent support to ensure that the safety of the children is maintained. Parents can be asked to do anything on the beach – from setting up the arenas to being an official. All necessary training is provided on the day, or for the more committed the Trust Waikato Pauanui Surf Life Saving Club will pay course cost for parents or other caregivers to attend Surf Lifesaving New Zealand-run training coaching courses.
The Junior Surf programme is overseen by a team of keen and dedicated members forming the Junior Surf committee. It is the committee’s responsibility to ensure that the programme is providing for every need of the participants, making decisions on how the season is going to run, working with the patrolling lifeguards to ensure that the programme is running in a safe and responsible manner during the time on the beach. The committee also co-ordinates the annual Junior Surf competition against some of the other local surf clubs in the area. The junior surf committee reports back into the general club executive team. |
