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 to compete at Oceans 2025, 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.

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.

Children wanting to participate in this programme may be required to complete a trial to ensure this is the right programme for them.  

Contact Jack Gavin for more info and training session times

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 23 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