Beach Education
Surf Life Saving New Zealand delivers practical, hands-on water safety education across a range of programmes, from full-day beach experiences and school camps through to classroom visits and community events.
Our Programmes
Find the right programme for your school, group, or community.
| Programme | Year Levels | Delivery | Duration | Location | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beach Education | Y1–8 | Beach-based practical | Full day | Surf clubs + approved local beaches | All regions |
| Beach Education Camps | Y1–8 | Beach-based practical | Varied | Surf clubs + beaches + camp venues | Northern Region only |
| Surf to School | ECE–Adults | Classroom + pool (optional) | 60–90 mins | School | All regions |
| Coastal Water Safety Programme | Y9–13 / Ages 13+ | Advanced practical | Full day | Coastal locations | Northern Region only |
| Events & Activations | All ages | Presentation-based | Flexible | Schools, events, community groups | Please enquire |
| Coastal Nippers | Ages 5–12 (holiday programme) | Beach-based practical | 2h–all day sessions | Tutukaka, Long Bay, Waiheke | Northern Region only |
Beach Education
Real Beach. Real Skills. Real Confidence.
Beach Education is Surf Life Saving New Zealand's flagship water safety programme, providing students with practical, hands-on learning in a real beach environment. Delivered by qualified Surf Lifeguards, it combines beach activities and in-water experiences to help students develop the knowledge, confidence, and decision-making skills needed to stay safer around New Zealand's coastlines.
Students don't just learn about beach safety. They experience it.
Beach Education Programme Overview
Why Beach Education?
- Real-world learning in a beach environment
- Qualified Surf Lifeguard instructors
- Curriculum-aligned content (NZ Curriculum + Water Skills for Life)
- Practical water safety skills
- Strong health and safety systems
- Proven impact in building safer, more confident young people
Programme Goals
- Support curriculum outcomes
- Encourage active participation
- Build practical life skills
- Increase water confidence
- Promote safer behaviour around the coast
What to Bring
Students should pack: togs / swimwear, towel, warm clothes, sunhat, wet suit or rash shirt (if available), lunch, drinks, and SPF 30+ sunscreen.
Pricing
Pricing is per participant and varies by region (minimum 30, maximum 60 students):
- Full day programme delivery
- Qualified Surf Lifeguard instructors
- Programme resources and equipment
- Beach-based practical activities
- Comprehensive health & safety management
Beach Education – School Camps Programme
Bring Water Safety to Life During Your School Camp
Visit the Northern Region website →
The School Camps Programme is a variation of our Beach Education school camp programme, giving students a fun, engaging, and practical water safety experience delivered by qualified Surf Life Saving instructors. It combines interactive learning, beach-based activities, and hands-on water skills, and can be adapted for school camps, education weeks, outdoor education programmes, and community events.
Programme Activities
- Surf Club and Lifeguard Operations Tour
- Beach and Coastal Safety
- Beach Games and Team Challenges
- Practical Water Session
What We Provide
- Surf Life Saving rescue equipment
- Patrol flags and signage
- Bodyboards and rescue tubes
- Beach games equipment
- Educational resources and visual aids
Flexible Delivery Options
- 2-hour sessions on rotation
- 3-hour sessions on rotation
- Half-day experiences
- Multiple sessions across a camp programme
Surf to School
Bringing Water Safety Education Directly to Your Classroom
Not every child has easy access to the beach, but every child deserves the knowledge and confidence to stay safe around water. Surf to School brings engaging, interactive water safety education directly into schools and communities, delivered by experienced Surf Life Saving instructors at no extra transport cost to you.
No transport. No complicated logistics. Just meaningful learning delivered where your people already are.
Beach Education Recruitment
Designed for All Ages
- Early childhood centres
- Primary schools
- Intermediate and secondary students
- Alternative education programmes
- Community organisations
What Participants Learn
- Recognise and avoid common water hazards
- Stay safer at beaches
- What to do in an emergency
- Decision-making and risk assessment
- Practical knowledge through interactive activities
- Lifelong respect for water and the outdoors
Where We Deliver
- Classrooms and school halls
- Community spaces and outdoor learning environments
- Workshops or rotational activities
- One-off sessions or larger programme days
- Your school pool or local community pool (combined theory & practical)
Session Duration
- Theory sessions: 45–60 minutes
- Theory + pool practical: 90 minutes
- Instructor comes to you
- All resources and equipment included
- Funding support available - ask us
Coastal Water Safety Programme
Real Environment. Real Skills. Real Confidence.
Visit the Northern Region website →
The Coastal Water Safety Programme is a hands-on experience designed for secondary schools, adult learners, community groups, and organisations wanting to build confidence and capability in their local water environments. Delivered by experienced Surf Life Saving instructors, it combines coastal exploration, practical learning, and water activities to help participants better understand the beach environment, recognise hazards, and make safer decisions around the water.
Coastal Walk & Environmental Learning
- Rip currents and waves
- Beach shape and coastal features
- Safety signage and PRE
- Risk and decision making
- Local area ecology
Water Activities
- Water competencies and confidence exercises
- Floating and survival techniques
- Correct use of a lifejacket
- Understanding wave movement
- Experiencing rip currents safely (conditions permitting)
Who Is This Programme For?
- Secondary schools (Y9–13)
- Outdoor education groups
- Adult learners
- Community organisations
- Youth groups
- Corporate and leadership groups
- Full-day delivery
- Qualified Surf Life Saving lifeguards & instructors
- Coastal walk and environmental learning
- Practical coastal water activities
- Safety equipment and operational support
Community Events & Activations
Bringing Water Safety, Education and Engagement to Communities Across Aotearoa
Visit the Northern Region website →
Surf Life Saving New Zealand works alongside councils, schools, community groups, festivals, and event organisers to deliver engaging, professional, and impactful coastal safety experiences. From large-scale public events to local community days, our activations are designed to educate, connect, and inspire safer behaviours in and around the water.
What We Offer
- Water safety education and awareness
- Interactive beach and coastal activities
- Community engagement activations
- Event support and collaboration
- School and youth-focused experiences
- Surf Life Saving demonstrations and displays
- Tailored programmes for local events and festivals
Who We Work With
- Local councils
- Schools and kura
- Festivals and public events
- Marae and community groups
- Recreation and tourism providers
- Corporate and sponsorship partners
- Youth organisations
Coastal Nippers
Build Confidence. Learn Water Safety. Have Fun.
Visit the Northern Region website →
Coastal Nippers is a hands-on holiday programme that helps children build confidence in and around the water while learning essential beach and ocean safety skills. Delivered by experienced Surf Life Saving instructors, it combines adventure, learning, and fun in a supportive environment. Whether your child is a confident swimmer or just beginning their journey in the water, Coastal Nippers is designed to be inclusive and enjoyable for all abilities.
Parents and caregivers must remain at the beach during the programme. We encourage you to join in!
If you or your community want this programme in your local area, please contact us for more information.
Programme Locations & Duration
| Location | Duration per day | Days |
|---|---|---|
| Mataporui – Tutukaka Coast | 2 hours | 4 days |
| MERC – Long Bay | All day | 3 days |
| Waiheke – Onetangi Beach | 2 hours | 5 days |
What They'll Experience
Daily Themes
- Beach Awareness: hazards, surf conditions, safer decisions
- Rips & Rescues: how rips work, staying safe, helping others
- Safe Boating: boating safety, lifejacket use, emergencies
- Floatation & Water Confidence: entry, floating, body surfing
- Coastal Carnival: fun challenges and celebration
What to Bring
- Swimwear and towel
- Sunhat and SPF 30+ sunscreen
- Water bottle
- Lunch and snacks
- Warm clothing
- Closed-toe footwear
- A positive attitude!
Register Now – Northern Region Enquire About Coastal Nippers
How to Book
Follow these steps to confirm your Beach Education programme.
Teacher Beach Ed Booking Checklist
Before you get in touch, it helps to have the following ready:
- Confirmed approval from your school board and/or principal to run the programme
- Preferred programme and approximate dates
- Year levels and approximate participant numbers (minimum 30, maximum 60)
- Your nearest beach or surf club location
- Any specific learning needs or medical considerations for your group
- A key contact person at your school for the booking
Get Ready to Book
Work through the Teacher Beach Ed Booking Checklist above so you have the key details confirmed before contacting us:
- School board and/or principal approval confirmed
- Preferred programme and dates
- Year levels and participant numbers (min 30, max 60)
- Preferred beach or surf club location
- Learning needs or medical considerations
- A key school contact for the booking
Check Availability
Identify which programme suits your group and confirm it is available in your region using the programmes table above.
Contact Your Region
Get in touch with your regional education contact to discuss dates, locations, and group size, and to receive confirmed pricing for your area.
Confirm Details & Paperwork
Lock in your preferred date, confirm participant numbers, and return any required consent, medical, and health & safety forms provided by your regional coordinator.
Prepare Students
Brief students on what to bring, the day's programme, and your school's behaviour expectations. Confirm your supervising adults (minimum 1 adult per 5 students).
Enjoy the Day!
Arrive on time, ready to learn. Teachers and adults must actively participate in and supervise all activities throughout the day.
Regional Contacts
Reach out to your nearest regional team to start your booking:
📧 education.northern@surflifesaving.org.nz
Northern Region website →
📧 education.eastern@surflifesaving.org.nz
📧 education.central@surflifesaving.org.nz
📧 education.southern@surflifesaving.org.nz
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you book.
Beach Education and Beach Education Camps are designed for Years 1–8. Surf to School can be adapted from ECE through to adults. The Coastal Water Safety Programme is suitable for Years 9–13 and ages 13+. Coastal Nippers is a children's holiday programme. Events & Activations are available for all ages. Contact us to discuss your group.
Beach Education accommodates groups of 30–100 students. A minimum of 30 students is required. For other programmes, group sizes vary. Contact your regional team to discuss what works best.
A minimum of one adult (teacher/caregiver) per five students is required for all water-based programmes. Teachers and accompanying adults are expected to actively participate in and supervise all activities throughout the day.
- Togs / swimwear and a towel
- Wetsuit (if available)
- Warm clothes and a hat
- SPF 30+ sunscreen (applied before arriving)
- Water bottle and lunch / snacks
- Closed-toe footwear for Coastal Nippers
Programmes are assessed on the day by our qualified instructors and safety managers. All activities are adapted to suit surf and weather conditions, group confidence, and environmental factors. In some cases, alternative land-based activities will be delivered to meet programme outcomes. Your regional coordinator will advise on rescheduling options if a full cancellation is necessary.
Rip swims are not a guaranteed activity within the Coastal Water Safety Programme. The decision is assessed continuously right up until participants enter the water, based on surf conditions, group capability, and operational safety requirements. If a rip swim is not suitable on the day, alternative learning activities will be provided to achieve the same programme outcomes.
Yes. SLSNZ and our regional teams can advise on potential funding sources to help make programmes more accessible for your school or community. Get in touch with your regional coordinator to discuss what may be available in your area.
Yes. Beach Education aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum and supports the development of Water Skills for Life competencies. Our team can provide further information on specific curriculum links on request.
In many cases yes. Programmes can be delivered at surf clubs or at approved local beaches. Suitability is assessed based on conditions, access, and safety. Discuss your preferred location with your regional contact when booking.
Terms & Conditions
Please read before booking.
- 3+ weeks notice: Full refund.
- Within 3 weeks of the programme: 50% of the programme fee will be charged.
- Within 48 hours of the programme: 100% of the programme fee will be charged.
Cancellations due to weather or conditions on the day are managed at the discretion of the regional delivery team. Every effort will be made to reschedule where possible.
All schools and groups are required to maintain a minimum ratio of one supervising adult per five students / participants at all times. Teachers and accompanying adults are expected to actively participate in and supervise all activities. Surf Life Saving instructors facilitate the programme but are not solely responsible for the supervision of your group.
Schools must provide relevant health and medical information for all participants prior to the programme. Participants with medical conditions that may affect their ability to participate safely must be disclosed at the time of booking. SLSNZ reserves the right to modify or restrict activities based on participant health information.
All programmes operate under comprehensive SLSNZ Health and Safety Management systems. A daily operational risk assessment is completed before all activities commence.
SLSNZ may take photographs or video footage during programme delivery for promotional and educational purposes. If you do not wish for students or participants to be photographed, please notify your regional coordinator in writing prior to the programme date. Individual participant consent must be managed by the booking school or organisation in accordance with their own policies.
SLSNZ instructors and safety leads reserve the right to modify, substitute, or cancel any activity at any time based on conditions, participant capability, or safety considerations. The safety of all participants is the highest priority. Decisions made by instructors and safety managers on the day are final.
All pricing is listed exclusive of GST unless otherwise stated. Invoices will be issued following the programme. Payment terms are 20 days from invoice date unless agreed otherwise with your regional coordinator. Pricing is subject to change. Confirmed pricing will be provided in your booking confirmation.
Programme availability is subject to instructor availability, seasonal scheduling, and regional capacity. SLSNZ does not guarantee availability on specific dates. Bookings are confirmed only on receipt of a written booking confirmation from your regional coordinator. We recommend booking as early as possible, particularly for Term 1 and summer season programmes.
