Oceans Athletes

Available for all under 11 - under 14 children (must be at least 10 years old as of 1st October) looking to extend the skills developed in our Junior Surf Programme and work towards competing at Oceans 2026, 19-22 February 2026 which will be held at Mount Maunganui Main Beach.

This festival is one of the highlights of the junior calendar for parents and kids alike.  Being a part of this squad does not mean your child HAS to compete, but we are pretty sure they will want to.  

During Ocean Athletes, participants will learn and develop a variety of skills. These will include: ​

• Craft – Board Paddling – safely moving in and out of the surf, using rips and currents, race tactics
• Surf Swimming – safely moving in and out of the surf, using rips and currents, race tactics
• Rescue Events – skill development to perform a rescue race scenario for a tube and board rescue
• Beach Events – sprinting, beach flags and distance running
• Team Events – tube and board rescue and relays

Whilst developing the above skills, our experienced coaches use a framework where participants become familiar with “living” our club values – fun, respect, commitment, encouragement and excellence. This helps them to prepare for lifeguarding and senior surf sports pathways available to them when they turn 14.

Ocean Athletes also offers participants an opportunity to compete in Junior Surf sport events throughout the summer, joining other junior athletes from around the country to share their passion for surf sports. The confidence and teamwork gained in these exciting competitions provides a valuable life experience for Ocean Athlete squad members.

• Unconfident or inexperienced children? As long as they can confidently swim 200m, this is fine. We split up the kids depending on experience and confidence and make sure all kids get the support they need. We will have at least 3 coaches on the water at each session and make sure kids are not put in any dangerous situations. If conditions are not suitable for your child, we may ask them to sit a session out (this is very rare). If they cannot swim 200m and still need to build some confidence we recommend them going to a few Sunday sessions first to prepare them for mid week sessions. They can join in anytime throughout the season. 
• Board allocation: Should you choose to do this, your child will be allocated a board for the season that only they can use. There is a cost associated with this.  You can use this anytime you want, even outside of training times. You will get an allocation form that has all the important details about damage, storage, etc. The club will help you transport the board to competitions and camp if needed. 
• Competitions: There is no pressure to compete in all competitions or at all but the goal of the Oceans squad is to improve skills and fitness so the kids have the confidence to race and also become the best lifeguard possible.
• Do I have to stay and watch? No you don’t. We do recommend staying and watching the first couple of sessions if you and your child are new to the Oceans Squad. Just so you can get a feel for what it's all about and understand what we do and can support nervous children if needed. Once you kids have been to a few sessions they will be away charging! 

(Please note: For the first three weeks in Term 4, we won’t have Saturday sessions due to the camp, show & Labour weekend, so our first Saturday session will be on the 1st of November). 

Block 1: Term 3 School Holidays Board Surfing Sessions. 

Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9am-10am 

 Block 2: 7th of October - 22nd of December (Term 4)

Tues & Thurs 3.30-4.30pm, Saturday 8am or 9am (TBC) 

 Block 3: 30th Dec - 31st of Jan (Summer Holidays)

Mon, Tue, Wed, Thurs & Sat 9-10.30am

 Block 4: 3rd of Feb - 30th March (Term 1) 

Tues & Thurs 3.30-4.30pm, Saturday 8am or 9am (TBC) 

Click here for Code of Conduct & Equipment Allocation agreement

 Contact Jack Gavin coach@midwayslsc.co.nz for more info 

OCEANS, the premier Junior Surf Life Saving competition that has been running for over 20 years. Since its conception in 2000, Oceans has had a proud history of being not only the largest Junior Surf Life Saving Event in New Zealand, but the most competitive, exciting and fun! The competition started 25 years ago at Mt Maunganui Main Beach, and still celebrates the very best of our future Surf Life Savers as our members compete with their friends and against their fellow clubs.

The events vision is:

• To provide the best possible Surf Life Saving experience for all juniors with the view to encourage long-term active participation.
• To provide opportunities for juniors to actively participate in and enjoy Surf Life Saving and competition in an aquatic environment.
• To ensure our junior members are safe on New Zealand's beaches through building knowledge and experiences in the Junior Surf programme.
• To develop a team based philosophy encompassing leadership, camaraderie, teamwork, and fun.
• To promote social, emotional and physical growth and development in a healthy and safe environment.

• 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 10am