BECOME A SURF LIFEGUARD
What’s not to love about becoming a volunteer Surf Lifeguard in New Zealand?
You get to spend time on our beautiful beaches, make life-long friends, become trained in first aid, resuscitation, and practical rescue skills as well as have the opportunity to stay fit and healthy through competing in a wide variety of surf lifesaving sports . . . all whilst saving lives and preventing drownings at New Zealand’s favourite playground.
Our volunteers come from all walks of life - they love the beach and have a desire to give back and ensure fellow kiwis and visitors get to enjoy New Zealand’s beaches as well.
If you’re keen to become a volunteer Surf Lifeguard, you need to be at least 14 years of age and be able to swim 400m free-style in under 9 minutes.
You‘ll need to join your local club who will provide a supportive training programme (which will take place at a local pool, the beach and the clubrooms) to give you the skills you’ll need, to help you achieve your Surf Lifeguard Award. In terms of gear, all you need is a wetsuit, togs, goggles and swim fins.
After you achieve your Surf Lifeguard Award you’ll join a patrol team and will be rostered for duty. Volunteer Surf Lifeguards patrol on weekends and public holidays during the warmer months of the year.
There’s also a number of additional training and development opportunities that you can access and specialise in. This includes advanced surf lifeguarding, search and rescue, first aid, inflatable rescue boats (IRBS) to rescue water craft (jet skis) operation, leadership development, and so much more. Surf Life Saving provides a great pathway into many emergency service careers.
Volunteering as a Surf Lifeguard is fun and rewarding - you’ll make a real difference in people’s lives and have a great time along the way. Get in touch and join the team! We look forward to seeing you on the beach!