To become a lifeguard requires a number of skills and attributes, most important of which are a positive outlook and a ‘can do’ attitude! There are some specific requirements that can be developed along with your surf lifeguard instructor, as they lead you through your Surf Lifeguard Award – the minimum requirement to patrol New Zealand beaches.
Our SLA training program aims to develop a candidate’s fundamental beach management, beach, rescue and first aid skills to become a competent lifeguard on patrol. Training is undertaken both in the pool and at Ocean Beach.

Pre requisites:

• Minimum age of 14 years before the date of the exam
• SLSNZ Member (this is done online)
• Be able to confidently swim 400m freestyle in under 9 minutes-no stops
• Attendance to the 6 instructing sessions run by Whangarei Heads VSLSP
• Attendance to 2 exam sessions run by Surf Life Saving Northern Region

Equipment needed:

• Surf Fins (no clips)
• Wetsuit

The New Zealand Surf Lifeguard Award is assessed in several sections.
The requirements are:

• 400m timed pool swim (confident single stroke i.e. freestyle non-stop under 9 mins)
• Competent demonstration ofTows, releases and tube rescue in pool environment
• Workbook completed and handed in
• Written theory test covering beach management, first aid, emergency response & Lifeguarding skills as covered in the current Surf Lifeguards Manual
• Practical assessment of CPR
• Practical and theoretical assessment of basic First Aid
• Practical assessment of Signals and radio knowledge
• 200m Run – 200m Swim – 200m Run (beach) in under 9 minutes
• Tube rescue with fins of a patient in surf
• On beach assessment of Primary survey and recovery position of a patient