Over the last 6 years the Waihi Beach Lifeguard Services has been very fortunate in being able to offer athletes an additional, specialised programme run by experienced surf lifesaving coaches.

The purpose of this programme is to provide our young members 10 years of age and older with a pathway to developing  their strength, build confidence and determination while improving their beach and surf skills. The programme is  designed to develop tomorrow’s surf lifeguards.

The programme is designed for 

● those who want to improve specific skills and surf lifesaving competencies
● those who are aiming to attain their Surf Lifeguard Award
● those who wish to excel as part of the Club’s Rookie Lifeguard team
● those who wish to compete at Surf Lifesaving NZ competitions

The fee includes all surf coaching, Friday night Ocean Swim/Paddle & Run, Saturday and Sunday programmes, coached weekday after school sessions, school holiday surf sport programme, pool training.

It is more difficult to secure grant money to cover all of the costs of this intensive coaching programme and the Club is unable to offer these services free of charge.

The cost of this supplementary skills training programme for the 2025/26 season is;

(A) - U13 & U14: $250 full programme plus swim training squad fees

(B) - U13 & U14: $150 up to 50 sessions plus swim training squad fees
(50+ sessions charged at casual rate of $4 each)

(C) - U11 & U12: $175 full programme plus swim training squad fees

(D) - U11 & U12: $105 up to 35 sessions plus swim training squad fees
(35+ sessions charged at casual rate of $4 each)

Additional board hire:
Board Hire for the season $75.00 - shared use 
Board Hire for the season $110.00 - exclusive use

Individuals who wish to either use a foam kneeboard (foamie) for training this season or have a fibreglass board allocated need to read and sign below.

Terms of Hire:

 1.    Equipment allocation, use and hire is at the discretion of the Coach and Director of Lifesaving Sport.

2.    The hire fee does not imply access or sole allocation to sports equipment.

3.    Some equipment use may be shared in situations where athletes are not competing or attending regular training sessions.

4.    At the discretion of the Coach gear allocation may be adjusted to match the needs of the athletes.

5.    There are two categories which determine who can use the equipment.

6.    The Coach will have final say regarding equipment selection, based on weight, skill level and commitment to training and/or competing.

Eligibility:
Those that wish to have a fibreglass board allocated to them must fulfil the following requirements:
- Be committed to training towards the relevant skill levels.
- Demonstrate a good training ethic to the Coach

To use and train with club equipment, you must:
- Be a current financial member of Waihi Beach Lifeguard Services Inc
- Have been awarded the 200m safety award
- Pay the equipment hire fee of $75.00 or $110

Selection Criteria (fibreglass allocation):

When reviewing whether an athlete qualifies for a fibreglass board and which piece of equipment to allocate, the Coach will take the following into account;

-       Weight of athlete
-       Previous season’s results and training habits
-       Potential to achieve results
-       Amount of equipment available to be allocated
-       Experience of the athlete and ability to manage a knee board

 Expectations of Athlete:
- Seek permission from the Coach or Director of Lifesaving Sport if wishing to privately transport, use and store equipment away from the Club
- Store the gear in a safe and secure location when it is away from the Club
- Transport the gear in the correct way. In a board bag, on approved roof-rack or other fully supported and secured system agreed to by the Junior Surf Equipment Officer or Director of Assets, Coach or Director of Lifesaving Sport
- Abide by the Conditions of Equipment Use below
- Return the equipment to the Club if requested by the Junior Surf Equipment Officer or Director of Assets, Coach or Director of Lifesaving Sport
- Set an example for other members at Club trainings (turn up on time, train properly, etc)
- Ensure that the equipment allocated is used by themselves only - not friends or family

Further expectations of Athletes allocated fibreglass boards:

-       In consultation with the Coach commit to a structured training and competition plan for the 2025/26 season
-       Always lock fibreglass boards when not in use

Gear Damage & Repair:

When equipment is damaged the individual must alert their coach to the damage ASAP. The Club will always meet repair costs in the following situations;

●     When gear is damaged during approved trainings
●     When gear is damaged while competing at approved carnivals

 Major damage outside of these situations may result in the individual having to organise and pay for the repair themselves. Any equipment marked with a ‘damaged gear’ tag and put into the area specified, is under repair and cannot be used.
The Club reserves the right to charge for any malicious or wilful damage or damage through misuse.

-       If damage occurs at an event away from the Club, take a photograph of the damage and email, together with a description of what happened, to the Club office
-       If needed/requested, transport equipment to an approved repairer
-       Not use the equipment until it is repaired
-       Discuss and agree substitute equipment with your coach

Ownership:
 At all times hired/allocated equipment remains the exclusive property of Waihi Beach Lifeguard Services Inc

 To be completed & signed by athlete:

Athlete Conditions of Equipment Use and Hire:

●     Treat all gear with respect.

●     All Club fibreglass boards MUST be locked when not in use. Please ensure you relock boards after using them. If a Club lock, you will be given the code. If a personal lock, you must give the code to the Junior Surf Equipment Officer or Director of Lifesaving Sport and the office.

●     Do not use anyone else's gear or tell them the code to your board lock.

●     NEVER allow non-members (friends) to use Club gear

●     Carry your board. DO NOT ever drag gear on the beach. If you need help, ask.

●     Wash all gear down with a hose and return to storage, in correct place, immediately after use and lock fibreglass boards.

●     Thoroughly check/inspect boards BEFORE and AFTER use for any damage.

●     If damage occurs, fill out damage form and advise Coach.

●     No stand up surfing of waves on kneeboards.

●     Don’t take equipment away from the Club without specific permission from the Coach or Director of Lifesaving Sport.

●     NEVER leave gear in the sun or lying outside in windy conditions.

●     When travelling to carnivals you must load and unload your gear onto the gear trailers OR find a person willing to and capable of doing this for you and make sure it is tied down correctly.