U6 and U7 Information

Surf Play

Surf Play is the program designed for our U6 and U7 members.
There is no award for Surf Play – the focus is on play, participation and fun.

Individual clubs may apply additional criteria for the inclusion of U6 and U7 members in club activities in terms of parental involvement and duty of care but cannot reduce the standards outlined below. Consideration should also be given to a shorter time on the beach for Under 6 and 7’s given their attention span and concentration levels.

• The absolute minimum age for such children is 5 years. Age is determined as at midnight on 30 September at the commencement of that season.
• All participants in the U6 and U7 age group must wear a different coloured lifesaving cap during all junior activities’ sessions. i.e. Fluorescent green or coloured caps that vary from all other age groups for safety reasons.
• Children must complete their age-appropriate Preliminary Skills Evaluation prior to engaging in junior activities.
• The water conditions must be low risk, with very small waves for the U6 and U7 members to enter the water. If these conditions are not met, then there are to be no water activities.
• Children involved in U6 and U7 activities can participate in shallow water activities up to knee depth of the participant. These activities can include wading, duck diving or swimming in shallow water.
• A Water Safety Supervisor for the age group must be appointed to coordinate Water Safety Personnel and ensure the correct water safety ratios are always in place whilst children are in the water (see the Beach Operations / Water Safety section).
• Children involved in U7 activities can utilise club foam boogie boards (no hard plastic, rails or fins) in very shallow water (broken waves only). Water Safety Personnel must be located next to the children at all stages of the paddle (e.g. the child rides the broken wave from one water safety personnel to another).
• Under no circumstances are Under 6 and 7 members to participate in structured competition activities – they should only partake in fun social activities.