Qualified lifeguardsGet qualified so you can patrol the beach and work in our JSP, Saturday Rippers & Tairua School programmes throughout the summer holiday period.
Courses & Training Programmes
We offer a range of courses and programmes throughout the year, for people of all ages and abilities.
Upcoming Courses
06 Aug: SLGA Training Two, Rookie Camp at Tairua School with Gabby & Terri
13 Aug: IRB Driver Instructors Clinic (including Pre-season briefing) at the Mount with SLSNZ ER
14 Aug: ADVANCED IRB Driver Development day at Omanu Beach with SLSNZ ER
20 Aug: Coromandel Engine Maintenance Workshop, at Tairua with SLSNZ ER
21 Aug: (Rescheduled to 24 Sep) Instructor's Training Course at Onemana with SLSNZ ER
28 Aug: Coromandel IRB Instructor Clinic at Whangamata with SLSNZ ER
30 Aug: Patrol App Presentation + Q&A online with SLSNZ
01 Sep: IRB Training at TBC with Terri Warner and Sean Ridler
01 Sep: JSP Instructor Induction Day at Tairua with Gabby Hughes & Mitchell White
01 Sep: Patrol Captain's Training Day at Tairua with Terri Warner, Mitchell White & Gabby Hughes
03 Sep: Instructor's Training Course at Omanu Mt Maunganui with SLSNZ ER (limited spaces)
11 Sep: Patrol Captain's workshop #1 at Tairua moved to Whangamata with SLSNZ ER
11 Sep: Coromandel & BOP IRB Driver Exam at Waihi with SLSNZ ER
17-18 Sep: SLGA Training Three Rookie Camp at Tairua School with Gabby & Terri.
19 Sep: SLGA Examiners & Instructors pre-season briefing - online with SLSNZ ER
24 Sep: Coromandel Engine Workshops, at Waihi with SLSNZ ER
24 Sep: (Rescheduled from 21 Aug) Instructor's Training Course at Onemana with SLSNZ ER
25 Sep: Introduction to Surf Coaching Course at Papamoa with SLSNZ ER
25 Sep: Coromandel Engine Workshops, at Whangamata with SLSNZ ER
01 Oct: SLGA Exam will be held Labour Weekend at Tairua with Gabby, Terri & Briarna
01-02 Oct: IRB Instructor's Clinic (including pre-season briefing) at Papamoa with SLSNZ ER
08 Oct: Wahine on Water at Hot Water Beach with SLSNZ ER
08-09 Oct: SLGA Training Four, Final Rookie Camp at TBC with Gabby & Terri
09 Oct: IRB Driver Exam #2 at TBC (Western Beach) with SLSNZ ER
15 Oct: JSP Instructor induction and training day at Tairua with the JSP Tairua Committee
18 Oct: Rookies pre-season briefing - online
20 Oct: Junior Surf pre-season briefing - online
22 Oct: Labour Weekend Refresher Day - All Lifeguards at Tairua Club
23 Oct: Coromandel Surf LG & Patrol Support Exam #1 at Whangamata with SLSNZ ER
25 Oct: Missing Persons at Sea Scenario at Omanu with SLSNZ ER
01 Nov: Patrol Captain's Training Day at Tairua with Terri, Mitch, Gabby
06 Nov: Intro to Junior Surf Coaching at Tairua
19 Nov: Patrol Captain's workshop #2 at Whangamata
25-27 Nov: Intermediate Lifeguard School #1 at Pauanui with SLSNZ ER
01 Dec: LG Camp at TBC with Terri, Mitch, Gabby
01 Dec: Patrols begin
04 Dec: Coromandel & BOP IRB Driver Exam at Waihi with SLSNZ ER
09-11 Dec: National LG School weekend at Waihi Beach
11 Dec: Intro to Junior Surf Coaching at Onemana
11 Dec: Coro Surf LG & Patrol Support Exam #2 at Waihi Beach with SLSNZ ER
TBC: Rock Rescue Module Instructor's course at Pauanui
15 Jan: Coromandel Surf Lifeguard & Patrol Support Exam #3 at TBC with SLSNZ ER
05 Feb: Coromandel Surf LG & Patrol Support Exam #4 at Whangamata with SLSNZ ER
18 Mar: Coromandel Surf LG & Patrol Support Exam #5 at Hot Water Beach with SLSNZ ER
19 Mar: ER Rookie Champs, BOP Beach (TBC) with SLSNZ ER
On Demand: Missing Person/Swimmer at Sean - theory & practical, ask CDO
Junior Surf Programme
Tuesday 27 Dec 2022 - Friday 13 Jan 2023,
weekday mornings 10am - 12pm.
From the age of 6, children can join Tairua SLSC to participate in the Junior Surf Programme (JSP) and the Saturday Rippers Programme (Rippers). These programmes encourage kids to have fun and develop skills so that they can stay safe on the beach and in the water. Also, with the skills they learn and the confidence they can develop, they can go on to become a lifeguard of tomorrow, able to save the life of someone else.
Wetsuits, fins and regular attendance recommended.
There are five levels within the JSP programme which provide a managed pathway for children to gain confidence in the surf. Once children have progressed through the following five levels, they are eligible for the Rookie Lifeguard Programme - which is the next step in developing our surf lifeguards.
Registration form will be emailed to our database and announcements will be in our newsletters and on this website closer to summer.
Remember you need to be a member of the Tairua SLSC to participate in this programme.
Please contact Janine on tairuaslsc@gmail.com to be added to database and for any queries.
Level 1
Confidence in the water
Theory questions on keeping safe at the beach
Level 2
Bodysurfing and wading technique
Nine theory questions
Level 3
50m pool swim
Catching waves
Theory questions covering surf lifeguard roles as well as keeping safe at the beach
Level 4
200m pool swim
Correct technique for duck diving
Identifying rips and wave types
Level 5
Increased skill development for surf swimming
Theory questions cover setting up for patrol and parts of the inflatable rescue boat (IRB)
Becoming a Rookie Guard
Once graduated from the Junior Surf Programme, our members can progress to a Rookie Guard, volunteering time on the beach and undertaking further study to progress to a qualified lifeguard position.
Saturday Rippers Programme
Rippers will run from 28 January - 25 March 2023, Saturday mornings 10am - 12pm.
From the age of 6, children can join Tairua SLSC to participate in the Junior Surf Programme (JSP) and the Saturday Rippers Programme (Rippers). These programmes encourage kids to have fun and develop skills so that they can stay safe on the beach and in the water. Also, with the skills they learn and the confidence they can develop, they can go on to become a lifeguard of tomorrow, able to save the life of someone else.
Wetsuits, fins and regular attendance recommended.
Become a volunteer lifeguard
We have volunteer and paid lifeguard positions available within our club. You must be at least 14 years old, be a member of a Surf Life Saving Club, attend regular training sessions and pass the SLSNZ Surf Lifeguard Award Examination.
The exam comprises of:- 400m pool swim in under 9 minutes
- Rescue releases assessment in the pool
- Run/swim/run in the surf
- Tube rescue assessment
- Practical surf knowledge test and theory exam
Becoming a Rookie Guard
Targeting 13 year old Junior Surf Members, this is a transition programme for those wanting to become Surf Lifeguards. The programme can take 2-8 weeks to complete.
- Able to swim 200m in a pool under 4:30
- Current club member
- Available to particpate in four patrols (minimum 12 hours total)
- Complete all Rookie Surf Lifeguard Log Book Modules
