Sunday mornings at Taylors are for the whole family and are aimed at learning the fundamental skills of surf lifesaving. We start our session promptly at 10am with a briefing and the programme runs until approximately 11.15am but may go on longer on warm days.
Each week, children participate in a variety of land and water based activities where they gain confidence in wading, swimming and board paddling at a level appropriate to their age and ability. Having fun, pushing yourself and building water confidence are emphasised. As they progress through the junior surf age groups, children learn the more advanced skills needed for competition and lifeguarding by undertaking greater swim and paddle distances as well as well as more challenging surf conditions, so it is important to gain confidence early on.
Junior Surf sessions finish up with a sausage sizzle, which is a chance to refuel and catch up with other families. Sausages are $2 coin donation and all funds raised help support the athletes attending the Oceans competition in Mount Maunganui at the end of the season. All members are welcome to use the showers and changing rooms at the Club as well as utilise the kitchen to make hot drinks.
This year, the Sunday Junior Surf programme commences on Sunday November 3rd 2024 and will continue through to mid March. There will be no Junior Surf on Labour Weekend or Canterbury Anniversary Show Weekend. There is also no Junior Surf training at Taylors Mistake on Carnival days.
Please note that we rarely cancel any training session but in the event of extreme weather, we will advise of cancellations on our Taylors Mistake Junior Surf Life Saving Facebook group.
On Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6-7pm, additional training for children in the U11- U14 age groups is provided. NB – there is an additional training fee of $100/season for each child participating in these sessions (this will be invoiced separately). The focus on these sessions is to develop board technique as well as swimming endurance for juniors who are keen to improve their water skills in preparation for competition and lifeguarding. We strongly encourage children in these age groups who have their 200m badge to attend these sessions regularly throughout the season.
Please note that these additional training sessions are not appropriate for U8-U10s unless directed by your coach.
All children must wear their yellow or pink hi-viz vest and club beanie at every Junior Surf training session. Any coloured togs may be worn along with wetsuits. Full wetsuits are highly recommended particularly in the cooler months before Christmas. Don’t forget sunscreen, coins for the sausage sizzle, a towel and a change of clothes. Parents are strongly encouraged to bring their own wetsuits to assist with training sessions whenever possible.
For children to participate in water activities at Junior Surf sessions, we must have 1 adult for every 5 children. Parent involvement is therefore critical to the success of our programme. Adults must accompany junior members into the water and actively supervise and although it is not necessary to be a trained lifeguard, it is important that you are a confident swimmer and are happy to be in the water.
We are very much a family club and encourage everyone to get involved. If water isn’t your thing, there are lots of other ways to help out on the beach or at the club, such as fundraising, organising gear, barbecuing sausages, ensuring children sign in and out, and of course cheering and encouraging. Lifeguarding is all about volunteering and contributing to the team, and we are fortunate to have fantastic parents who help make Taylors Mistake the special club that it is.
If any parent wishes to do their lifeguard award, help coach small groups of children, get involved in repairing boards or has a fundraising idea, or if you have any other skills that you would like to offer, we would love to hear from you.
