What it's all about... 

The WSLS Junior Surf programme is about shaping the lifeguards of tomorrow while giving kids the chance to learn vital surf lifesaving skills and knowledge. Along the way, they’ll enjoy loads of fun, stay active with healthy exercise, and learn how to stay safe on the beach and in the water. 

• Whanganui's Junior Surf Programme is designed for 5-14 year olds (as determined by the age the child is on 30th September). 
• Age groups have their own dedicated coaches who will oversee the activities and teach those all-important beach skills.
• Junior Surf is on every Sunday over the summer months from November to mid-March.
• There is no obligation to attend every week.
• Sessions incorporate both beach and water based activities dependent on time of year and surf conditions.
• Over the season there are various carnivals that children in the under 8 and above groups are encouraged to attend.
• During the season we may need to cancel Junior Surf sessions due to adverse weather conditions. Unfortunately there is no time in the season to run make-up sessions. 

Our Junior Surf programme requires parents/guardians to be active support on the beach and in the water and is not a 'drop-anad-leave' type activity. Your support is valuable and we appreciate all our parent/guardians who are heavily active in making our programme the success it is. 

The programme is made up of three age groups -  Nippers, Juniors & Rookies - find out more about further down on this page. 

Keen to get involved?

If you're keen to get your children involved in Junior Surf, complete an enquiry form on our contact page as we experience high demand in registrations, so it is important to check for availability before registering to avoid disapointment.

Junior Surf Membership

The Junior Surf Family Membership programme operates under our membership framework and WSLS requires a parent/guardian to be registered as the key member. 

For example, a family with two children:

• Parent/Guardian registers via the 'Junior Surf Family Membership' to create a log-in.
• At least one parent/guardian needs to be listed as the primary member - more than one parent/guardian can be addded as either a General Member or Associate Member. 
• Each child needs to be added to this account 
• At the end of the registration process, payment is required - depending on the # of parent/guardians and children. 
• This account will include all the parent/guardian and the children. 

The membership fee for 2025/26 season is $50 per member, and associates are $25. 

A Junior Surf Fee for 2025/26 is being considered by the WSLS Executive Board currently to support the ongoing development of the programme. This will be made available to Junior Surf parents/guardians by the time the season starts. 

_{Note: Fees to attend carnivals and pool rescue programmes are additional and range from $5-45 per event.} 

Our Programmes