Our Rookie Junior Lifeguard Programme provides the vital bridge between Junior Surf and Lifeguarding. It is an educational programme that introduces children aged 12-13 to a higher level of lifeguarding skills such as first aid, CPR, communication (radio and other) and patrolling requirements. Ultimately, growing them into our lifeguards of the future, ensuring as a club we can continue to meet the demands of our core business in the community.

Although there is a Rookies Challenge at the end of the season (for Eastern Regional Clubs), the programme is not competitive and previous participation in Junior Surf activities is not required.

A printable calendar is available under Downloads above. Please note that this calendar is subject to change so make sure you sign up to the Rookies Facebook Group Page for updates.

Time: Sunday Mornings 10am-12pm or 10am-11.15am

Location: Pāpāmoa Surf Life Saving Club

Equipment: each Rookie will need to bring surf fins for water-based activities and a wetsuit is recommended for cooler days

Uniform: Rookie uniforms are provided and need to be returned at the end of the season

$25 Club Membership

$40 Rookies programme

Plus an additional $15 Associate Member fee if you don't already have one (each child under the age of 14 must have a parent Associate Member. If you have more than one child at the club, you only need one Associate Member for the family). There is no charge for Rookies for current Junior Surf members.

• Turning 13 in 2024, i.e. born in 2011
• Be able to swim 200m in a pool in under 4mins 30secs followed by 1 minute of treading water unaided (or committed to reaching this goal during the season)*
• Belong to Pāpāmoa Surf Life Saving Club
• Be able to participate in four weekend patrols to accumulate at least 12 hours of lifeguarding experience

 * Water activities will be restricted until 200m swim goal is achieved. See below for more details.

Dates: Sunday 22nd or Sunday 29th September 2024

Time: 9am - 10am 

Location: Fulton Swim School, 15 Market Place, Pāpāmoa

There is no need to book, just turn up during these times.

To complete the badge, participants must swim 200m in a pool in under 4mins 30secs followed by 1 minute of treading water unaided (or committed to reaching this goal during the season).

If the swim competency test isn’t achieved, Rookies can still join but will be unable to take part in water-based activities.

Thank you to Fulton Swim School for the use of their Pāpāmoa pool for these sessions. 

I've been involved with Pāpāmoa Surf Lifesaving Club for over 11 years and the majority of that time have coached multiple different Junior Surf age groups with both my daughters - Emily and Phoebe. I've been involved with coaching kid's sport for over 30 years as well.

I'm  a qualified lifeguard and IRB driver, as well as a Lifeguarding Instructor, IRB Trainee Instructor and Patrol Captain. I'm a big believer in team work and patrol engagement. I am keen to see the Rookies get involved in lifeguarding patrols as much as possible so they get the whole lifeguarding experience as a Rookie.

Email: rookies@papamoalifeguards.co.nz

Facebook Group Page: Papamoa SLSC Rookies