Surf Education is a program designed to improve children’s knowledge and skills in a number of areas relating to surf awareness and safety. Year by year the children will be introduced to simple concepts such as recognizing patrolled areas through to the more advanced resuscitation and life saving skills. The aims of the program are to produce the lifesavers of the future in a non-threatening environment and increase children’s skills in basic surf skills such as board riding and surf swimming. Each age group has some material to learn and after satisfactory completion will be awarded a certificate. The modules of study by age group are as follows:
Under 8 Surf Awareness 1 Surf and sun safety
Under 9 Surf Awareness 2 Waves, rips and wading
Under 10 Surf Safety 1 Flags, beach and water conditions
Under 11 Surf Safety 2 Board and surf skills
Under 12 Surf Smart 1 Advanced surf safety and first aid
Under 13 Surf Smart 2 Resuscitation
Under 14 Surf Rescue Certificate
All modules must be completed in order so, if for example a new member started as an under 11 he/she would need to complete all modules from under 8 to under 11.
Much of this work will take place on the beach during the first weeks of the season. However there will be a need to supplement during the season to reinforce the learning.