Schools Safe Surfing Program
Primary Schools, Intermediate Schools & Colleges at Lyall Bay | Titahi Bay | Otaki Beach | Castlepoint
Wellington Surf Lessons is a Surfing NZ & Water Safety accredited surf school and have been the No. 1 provider of quality surf education for schools in the Wellington region since 2017.
We offer beach surf safety days for primary and intermediate schools and NCEA surf education for high schools. These programmes are designed to build confidence, and create an understanding of safety while surfing.
We are a fully mobile surf school and offer lessons and surf camps at Lyall Bay, Titahi Bay, Otaki Beach & Castlepoint, during both term 1 and 4.
Whats included
Choose from Beach Surf Safety Days (Primary or intermediate) or NCEA Achievement Standard courses (Colleges)
- All equipment; surfboards and wetsuits (Water safety approved)
- Individually tailored programs the school and age of the participants
- Qualified Surfing NZ approved instructors with first aid and surf lifesaving qualifications
- Complete R.A.M reports and safety operating procedures for each location
- Certificates after course completion
Choose from
Primary & Intermediates
Beach Surf Safety Days
Our popular ‘Beach Surf Safety Days’ give students the confidence to be active and have fun in the ocean through the enjoyment of learning how to surf.
- Full school day at chosen beach
- Group lesson with qualified & enthusiastic surf instructors
- 90+ minute surfing rotations
- Beach safety & surf lifesaving talk
- Board handling, paddling & stance demonstration
- Available for 10-100 students/per day
- All surf equipment provided
Electives for intermediates.
NCEA Achievement Standards
2 Day Surfing Course | 3-4 Credits
Students will attend two days of surf coaching with Wellington Surf Lessons and be taught how to read the surf conditions (wind, tide, rips, currents, waves) beach safety and beach hazards.
The students will learn the parts of the surfboard, position and paddling, getting out back using the rip currents safely, how to stand up and ride a wave, surf etiquette, catching clean and broken waves. The mix of coaching will be land and sea based. It is expected the students will spend a min. of 5 hours in the water before being assessed. Students will be given a Surf Workbook to study the theory of surfing to assist their assessment.
What students will learn
How To Surf
The students are taught:
- Surfboard safety, body protection and correct handling of equipment
- How to stand and ride on a surfboard using correct techniques
- How to find and catch a wave
- How to turn, ride across the wave & cut back
Surf Safety
The students are taught:
- How to behave responsibly and safe while surfing
- Risk management strategies while surfing
- How to assess an area to ensure it is safe and suitable for surfing
- How to be proactive and helpful towards others.
Physical Education
The students are taught:
- The principles and methods of training in movement contexts
- The functions of different muscles and parts of the body when surfing
- The fundamental movements and styles of surfing
Our main locations
Lyall Bay
Our Lyall Bay surf camp gives students the opportunity to surf Wellingtons best surf break over 3-5 days. Lyall has nice clean learner waves and our surf school is located next to the surf lifesaving club right in front of the surf break. The kids will get to surf everyday then do other fun beach activities.
Otaki Beach
Our Otaki surf camp gives students a chance to surf good quality beginner waves over 3-5 days. Otaki has a lovely sandy beach with full beach facilities such as changing rooms and showers and there is also a volley ball net set up where we run the classes. Otaki has great tramping spots and an excellent campground which is located just 10min drive from the surf break.
Castlepoint
Our Castlepoint surf camp offers students the unique opportunity to surf at one of NZ’s most stunning surf break over 3-5 days. Castlepoint has amazing landscapes and excellent campgrounds at the Castlepoint Holiday Park, which is located right in front of the surf break. The kids will get to surf everyday, enjoy amazing scenery and take part in other fun beach activities.
Castlepoint Accommodation
Safety First
We take the safety of your students seriously. Our trained instructors follow all safety protocols to keep the group safe at all times.
All our instructors are experienced surfers who have trained with Surfing New Zealand (SNZ) which courses are accredited by the International Surfing Association (ISA) and recognised throughout the world.
Wellington Surf Lessons are specialists in surf safety education and have been given the role from Surfing NZ of training surf instructors on surfers rescue and beach safety in the Wellington region.
We are an accredited Surfing NZ surf school holding all the necessary qualifications for EOTC including
Surfing NZ & Water Safety accredited
Safety & Risk Plan (RAMS) adheres to MOE Safety & EOTC manual
All our equipment is of a high quality
First Aid & Surf Life Saving
Staff have undergone Police Checks
How we run our classes:
Our team of expert instructors provide full support for all students during the group classes (on the beach and in the water) and work under the Surfing NZ safety guidelines. The required surf instructor to student ratio that all surf schools must adhere to is x8 students (max) per instructor in the water, however we usually have extra instructors at the lessons for extra safety and to ensure all students receive the help and guidance they need.
Testimonials
"Just wanted to say a big thank you for the smooth running of the surfing programme and your patience and support of the girls. It was a great success and so worthwhile doing the two sessions over the two days as the girls became confident and successful in their surfing. You were both incredibly patient and encouraging"
"On behalf of Kapiti College, we would like to thank the team at Wellington Surf Lessons for giving our college kids an amazing surf experience over the last three days. Everyone enjoyed the lessons immensely and we were amazed to see every student successfully surfing within the first day. They captured some great photos on GoPro and also gave out some very nice looking certificates at the end to the event. I highly recommend you book your school with Wellington Surf Lessons".
"Stuart and Lisa ran the perfect surfing lessons for our Yr 13 boys. They came away buzzing and wanted to get straight back in the water for another lesson. I would highly recommend Wellington Surf Lessons to any schools wanting to have surfing as part of a trip or EOTC programme. They were easy to deal with, organised and were great with our boys. Thanks very much!! ".
We would like to say a big thank you from all the Navigator students at St Brendan’s School. We had a fantastic two days with you, learning that stepping outside our comfort zone can be really rewarding. As a teacher it was great to see our students build their confidence and skill during their time with you. They were engaged, focused and motivated throughout the lessons. Several students (and staff) have expressed that they are keen to keep developing their new skills. We are happy to recommend your lessons to other schools looking for EOTC opportunities for their students.
Kia Ora Stuart, Lisa and teamWe would like to say a big thank you from all the Navigator students at St Brendan’s School. We had a fantastic two days with you, learning that stepping outside our comfort zone can be really rewarding. As a teacher it was great to see our students build their confidence and skill during their time with you. They were engaged, focused and motivated throughout the lessons. Several students (and staff) have expressed that they are keen to keep developing their new skills. We are happy to recommend your lessons to other schools looking for EOTC opportunities for their students.