What is Surf Sport?
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Surf sport refers to the races and games using skills that are learned during lifeguard training.
Lifeguards, parents and members of junior surf from the age of 7 can take part in these events, ranging from local non-competitive carnivals to formal regional and national competitions. |
Why take part?
Junior surf children and lifeguards get so much out of taking part in carnivals and events, from team fun to sports career opportunities.
- Fun
- Camaraderie and team skills
- Lifesaving skills
- Fitness, strength and agility
- Water safety skills and knowledge
- Future opportunities in coaching and national-level sport
- Being part of a broader sport community
What types of activities take place? |
The activities on the day are determined by the event organiser.
Children need their 200m swim safety award to be able to enter events in water depth above waist height or using paddleboards. “Unbadged” children can enter wading races or bodyboard races, and any of the beach events.
The natural progression through age groups starts with run-wade-run and bodyboard races, then run-swim-run and paddleboard races, followed by surf ski races.
Children need their 200m swim safety award to be able to enter events in water depth above waist height or using paddleboards. “Unbadged” children can enter wading races or bodyboard races, and any of the beach events.
The natural progression through age groups starts with run-wade-run and bodyboard races, then run-swim-run and paddleboard races, followed by surf ski races.
How does my child achieve their 200m swim award?
All junior members must complete a 200m swim in any stroke in either ocean or pool (to demonstrate fitness, water confidence and survival skills) before entering water swim or paddleboard events:
- Pool swim 200m within 7 minutes followed by 1 m tread water.
- Ocean swim 200m within 9 minutes followed by 1 min tread water.
How can I found out more?
Currently surf sport is being reintroduced into the Whangarei Heads club, starting with participation carnivals around Bream Bay. Junior members between ages 7 and 14 can enter junior carnivals and typical entry fee to a carnival is $10 per junior member for the whole day. Senior carnivals are for those aged 13 and upwards...including masters categories.
Participation requires the club to provide a sport official (SO1) for every 10 (or part of 10) participants, a team coach and a team manager. We are looking for interested parents to volunteer and make this exciting venture possible.
Participation requires the club to provide a sport official (SO1) for every 10 (or part of 10) participants, a team coach and a team manager. We are looking for interested parents to volunteer and make this exciting venture possible.
Examples of races held at the local carnival include:
- Run-wade-run
- Run-swim-run
- bodyboard race
- surf swim
- beach sprint, relays, 2km beach run
- beach flags
- Team Cameron relay ( swim, run and surfboard legs)
Other races include:
- pool rescue races
- Inflatable rescue boat races
- rescue tube race
- Diamond individual (swim, board, beach sprint)
- Ironman (swim, board, ski, beach sprint)
- First Aid competition team event
- Surf boat race and relay
- Surf canoe racing
Examples of age groups are as follows:
Seniors (must be qualified and refreshed lifeguard):
- Under 16
- Under 19
- Under 23
- Masters
- Open
Juniors: category determined by age at midnight on September 30th of the season:
- U8
- U9 non-badged
- U9 badged
- U10
- U11
- U12
- U13
- U14
