Become a Lifeguard

To become a lifeguard requires a number of skills and attributes, most important of which are a positive outlook and a ‘can do’ attitude! There are some specific requirements that can be developed along with your surf lifeguard instructor, as they lead you through your Surf Lifeguard Award – the minimum requirement to patrol New Zealand beaches.
Our Surf Lifeguard Award training program aims to develop a candidate’s fundamental beach management, beach, rescue and first aid skills to become a competent lifeguard on patrol. Training is undertaken both in the pool and at Ruakaka Beach.

Pre requisites:

• Minimum age of 14 years before the date of the exam

• SLSNZ Member (this is done online)

• Be able to confidently swim 400m freestyle in under 9 minutes-no stops

• Attendance to the 6 instructing sessions run by Ruakaka SLSP

• Attendance to 2 exam sessions run by Surf Life Saving Northern Region, detail of which follow this  

Equipment needed:

• Surf Fins (no clips)

• Wetsuit

The New Zealand Surf Lifeguard Award is assessed in several sections.
The requirements are:

• 400m timed pool swim (confident single stroke i.e. freestyle non-stop under 9 mins)

• Competent demonstration ofTows, releases and tube rescue in pool environment

• Workbook completed and handed in

• Written theory test covering beach management, first aid, emergency response & Lifeguarding skills as covered in the current Surf Lifeguards Manual

• Practical assessment of CPR

• Practical and theoretical assessment of basic First Aid

• Practical assessment of Signals and radio knowledge

• 200m Run – 200m Swim – 200m Run (beach) in under 9 minutes

• Tube rescue with fins of a patient in surf

• On beach assessment of Primary survey and recovery position of a patient

 To become a member of Ruakaka Surf Life Saving Patrol

please follow the link below and fill out the online membership application form.