Proud to Support Beach Education at Pāpāmoa

Pāpāmoa Surf Life Saving Club is reflecting on a successful Beach Education season, with strong participation from local schools and continued commitment from lifeguards in helping young people build confidence and knowledge around beach safety.

Club Chair Mat Bowling said the season’s outcomes show what can be achieved when clubs, schools and communities work together.

“It’s really encouraging to see so many young people engaging with Beach Education here at Pāpāmoa,” Mat said. “Education is a vital part of keeping our beaches safe. Helping children understand how the beach works, and how to make good decisions around the water, supports not only them and their whānau, but also our lifeguards on patrol. This programme relies on a lot of people working behind the scenes, and we’d like to acknowledge everyone involved — from our instructors and members, to the schools who chose to take part.

Throughout the 2025/26 season, Pāpāmoa Surf Life Saving Club hosted 29 days of Beach Education, reaching 1,403 students, the highest number of participants delivered by any club in the Eastern Region this year.

Beach Education is a Surf Life Saving New Zealand programme focused on reducing drowning risk through practical, age‑appropriate learning. Sessions are delivered by trained Community Education Instructors, all of whom begin their journey as volunteer lifeguards and bring real‑world experience into the classroom and onto the sand.

Nationally, more than 26,300 students took part in Beach Education this season, with over 5,000 students reached across the Eastern Region at beaches including Pāpāmoa, Mount Maunganui, Waihi Beach, Whakatāne and Whangamatā.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand has highlighted the value of club partnerships, noting consistently positive feedback from schools around the professionalism, enthusiasm and impact of instructors.

As the season wraps up, Pāpāmoa Surf Life Saving Club looks ahead to continuing its role in supporting safer, more informed beach communities.