Nippers / Junior Surf

NIPPERS 2025/2026 STARTS SUNDAY 2nd OF NOVEMBER 2025!!

REGISTRATION AND VEST PURCHASES - Now on a Thursday afternoon at the club from 3.30-5pm October 23rd & 30th

FUTURE LIFEGUARDS IN THE MAKING!!

We run hugely popular and fun Junior Surf programmes for children aged 4-13 designed to develop tomorrow’s lifeguards. This runs from 9.30-11am every Sunday, November to March. Sunday updates to programmes are posted on Facebook as weather dictates some sessions.

PARENTS/CAREGIVERS/WHANAU

Required to actively participate on the beach.

Little Rippers and children who aren't confident swimmers are required to have a parent or guardian within arms reach. All Nippers must have a parent or guardian on the beach at all times.

All children must have a hi viz club vest on at all times during the session. These can be purchased during registration.

JUNIOR SURF SUPPORT

There are lots of ways you can get involved. Red Shirts: Volunteer to become a Red Shirt - Age Group coaches and helpers, BBQ maestro, gear support. This is a fun way to get involved in the club and get to know other parents and kids. Coaches, you will be required to complete a police check to work with our young people and training will be given pre season.

AGE GROUP COACHES

This is a very rewarding way to give back to the club and get the most out of Junior Surf alongside your child.

You don’t need to be a lifeguard; training is given as well as comprehensive coaching guides.

There are always multiple coaches per age group so you work as a team, and means each coach doesn’t need to attend every session if you have other commitments.

HELP IN THE WATER

If you are not comfortable coaching the kids, every week we require lots of parents and caregivers to help in the water to ensure we meet adult to child ratios.

This usually involves standing in the water (up to hip or waist height) or counting children in and out of the water.

We encourage every parent/caregiver to come to Junior Surf prepared to get wet in suitable swimwear such as togs and a wetsuit, so you can jump in and help when asked by the coaches.

SETUP/PACK DOWN

Parent help to set up for Junior Surf on a Sunday morning is always welcome. This involves putting the age group flags up, as well as setting up the flag pits and sprint tracks.

At the end of Junior Surf, all equipment such as body boards and kneeboards as well as flags and cones need to be packed away.

Get the hose out, help the kids learn how to clean the gear, so by the time they are competing, they can do it themselves!

JUNIOR SURF BBQ

Each week one of the age groups runs the Junior Surf BBQ. This usually runs from around 10.30am – 11.30am.

Sausages and bread are provided, you just need to rock up, turn on the BBQ and get cooking!!

THE JUNIOR SURF PATHWAY

Little Rippers

For 4-6-year-olds wanting an introduction to the beach and surf in a gentle way
Perfect if your child is not confident or is shy around the beach and sea environment
Sundays 9.30am-10am

Nippers

For 7–13-year-olds wanting fun sessions that focus on being beach and surf smart
At this age children can be introduced to surf sport carnivals and competitions
Sundays 10am–11am

Ocean Athletes

For 10-13-year-olds keen to develop a healthy approach to sport and take part in competitive surf sport competitions around the country, keep fit or gain valuable skills needed to be a future lifeguard.
Not all Surf Carnivals are beach based. Surf Lifesaving runs pool-based competitions during the colder months, these competitions are for Ocean Athletes and older.
The prerequisite is to be able to swim 200 metres in the sea and have a reasonable level of fitness.
Session times are Tuesday and Thursday 3.30pm-4.30pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am-11am. Check with our coach Jack Gavin as these times may change.

14 Years - Undertake training to sit the SLA (Bronze) award to become a lifeguard.

Continue with Surf Sports training and competing as well as joining a weekend volunteer patrol team or just Volunteer Lifeguard on Patrol, the choice is theirs.

Make sure you check out our Facebook page for details of start dates in November – Midway Surf Club

For further enquires contact: admin@midwayslsc.co.nz