Getting Started
When does Junior Surf start?
Our Under 6 and Under 7 families, along with any new families joining Junior Surf, are invited to attend an Introduction Session before the season begins. This session is designed to help families become familiar with the programme, meet coaches and volunteers, and learn how Junior Surf operates.
Regular Sunday sessions for all age groups begin shortly afterwards. Key season dates are published each year on our website and club communications channels.
Click here for more information - go to Key Season Dates.
What time do sessions start?
Junior Surf sessions start at 9:30am sharp each Sunday.
Please allow enough time for parking, sign-in, and finding your child's age group before the session begins.
How long do sessions run for?
Session lengths vary depending on age group, weather conditions, and activities planned for the day.
- Under 6–Under 8: approximately 1 hour
- Older age groups: up to 2 hours
- Most sessions are finished by approximately 11:30am
Click here for more information - go to Sunday Schedule.
Uniforms & What to Bring
Does my child need a Junior Surf uniform?
Yes. All participants are required to wear the appropriate Junior Surf uniform:
- Junior Surf rash top or rash vest (where applicable)
- Club-issued age group cap/beanie for Sunday sessions
- Appropriate swimwear
Click here for more information on ordering uniform and pre-season collection dates.
What if I miss uniform collection?
Don't panic! Uniforms can usually be collected during the first few sessions of the season.
If you're unable to collect your uniform during the scheduled collection times, please contact:
Nikki Heatley at info@papamoalifeguards.co.nz and we'll do our best to arrange an alternative collection time.
What should my child bring each week?
Please bring:
- Rash vest or rash shirt
- Togs
- Towel
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Warm clothes for afterwards
- Wetsuit (recommended, especially early in the season)
Are wetsuits compulsory?
No. Wetsuits are not compulsory, however they are strongly recommended, particularly before Christmas when water temperatures can still be quite cold.
Safety & Supervision
Do parents need to stay during Junior Surf?
Yes. Parents and caregivers are expected to remain at the beach throughout the session. Junior Surf relies heavily on parent involvement and many activities require hands-on assistance from parents and caregivers. Remaining on-site also ensures you can be contacted quickly if needed.
What happens if I need to leave early?
Please let your child's coach know before you leave. We conduct roll calls and sign-out procedures during every session, so it is important that coaches know if a child leaves before the end of the programme.
Why is sign-in and sign-out important?
Junior Surf operates strict safety procedures. Every child is accounted for at the beginning and end of each session. If a child cannot be accounted for during final checks, it may trigger a missing person response and beach search procedure.
Can my child go swimming after Junior Surf?
Yes, however parents become fully responsible for supervision once Junior Surf has finished. We strongly recommend swimming:
- Between the patrol flags, or
- Directly in front of the surf club
200m Safety Badge (Under 10 and Above)
What is the 200m Safety Badge?
The 200m Safety Badge is a swimming competency assessment that demonstrates a child's ability to safely manage themselves in the water.
It helps show that if a child becomes separated from a board or other equipment, they can:
- Keep themselves afloat safely
- Remain calm in the water
- Make their way back to shore or await assistance
Click here for more information on the 200m safety badge.
Why is the 200m Badge important?
The badge is required for participation in some water-based activities and development programmes.
It also provides access to:
- Certain Junior Surf activities
- Board training opportunities
- Oceans Development Programmes
- Surf sport pathways and competitions
What if my child doesn't have their 200m Badge?
They can still participate in Junior Surf. However, some activities, programmes, and progression opportunities may be restricted until the badge is achieved.
Parent Involvement
Do I need to help?
Yes, where possible. Junior Surf is almost entirely volunteer-run and relies on parent support to deliver a safe and enjoyable programme. The more parents who help, the better the experience for all of our tamariki.
I have no surf lifesaving experience. Can I still help?
Absolutely! We welcome support from parents with all backgrounds and experience levels.
Volunteer roles include:
- Water helpers
- Beach helpers
- BBQ volunteers
- Event support
- Photographers
- Committee members
- Officials and timekeepers
Many of these roles require no previous surf lifesaving experience, and guidance is always available.
What should I wear if I'm helping in the water?
Please come prepared to get wet. Suitable clothing includes:
- Togs
- Board shorts
- Rash tops
- Wetsuits
High-visibility vests are provided where required.
BBQ & Club Culture
Why do we have a BBQ every week?
The weekly Junior Surf BBQ is a long-standing club tradition. It's a great opportunity for families to connect, meet other members, and enjoy the social side of the club while supporting fundraising for Junior Surf and surf lifesaving activities.
Do parents need to help with the BBQ?
Yes. Age groups are typically rostered throughout the season and parent support is essential to help keep the BBQ running smoothly.
Race Nights & Carnivals
Does my child need to compete?
No. Participation in competitions is completely optional.
Junior Surf focuses first on:
- Water confidence
- Beach safety
- Fun
- Skill development
- Physical activity
Children are encouraged to participate if they're interested, but there is no expectation to compete.
What are Race Nights?
Race Nights are fun surf sport evenings that give children the opportunity to practise competition skills in a relaxed and supportive environment.
These evenings are aimed at Under 8 and older age groups and may include:
- Beach sprints
- Flags
- Run-swim-run events
- Board races
- Other surf sport activities
Click here for more information on Race Nights.
Can beginners attend carnivals?
Absolutely. Many carnivals place a strong emphasis on participation, teamwork, learning, and having a go. Children of all experience levels are encouraged to get involved.
Communication
How will I receive updates?
The club communicates through several channels:
- Friendly Manager Mobile App
- Junior Surf Facebook Group
- Club email updates
We strongly encourage families to enable notifications so important updates are not missed.
Where are cancellations posted?
Weather-related or safety-related cancellations are communicated through:
Where possible, cancellation notices are posted early on Sunday mornings before the session begins.
Click here for more information on the Friendly Manager App
Click on the links below to access our Facebook and Instagram pages:
Pāpāmoa Junior Surf Facebook Group Page
Pāpāmoa Surf Club Facebook Page
Pāpāmoa Surf Club Instagram Page
New Parent Questions
My child is nervous about the water. Is Junior Surf still suitable?
Absolutely. Junior Surf caters for children of all confidence levels and abilities. The programme focuses on building water confidence gradually through age-appropriate activities, beach education, games, and skill development.
Many children join with little or no ocean experience and make enormous progress over the season. Our coaches and volunteers work hard to create a supportive, encouraging environment where every child can learn at their own pace and enjoy their time at the beach.
