SurfSafe is a public education programme presented by Surf Life Saving New Zealand in partnership with Water Safety NZ. 

Despite death by drowning representing a high risk to participants there is no centrally funded public education programme advising on safe swimming practices at NZ beaches. 

As part of its community activities to reduce death by drowning at NZ beaches Surf Life Saving New Zealand delivers a public education television campaign when funding allows. Each year it also delivers the BeachEd programme to school children.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand receives funding from corporate sponsors such as The Warehouse and from NZ Lottery Grants Board to provide a public education campaign.

BeachEd – History:
BeachEd (Beach Education) is a national programme that has developed during the last ten years from a series of regional programmes that were delivered throughout the country. 
Since 1993 Lifeguards have taught over 300,000 children key Beach Safety messages.

BEACHED - WHAT IS IT TODAY?
The objective of BeachEd is to provide a safe, fun and educational beach experience for primary school children. The programme is delivered in each District during term 1 and 4 each year. Bookings can be made through your local surf life saving District office. 

The BeachEd course content is broken into four age groups:
Yrs 1 and 2 – a shorter day from 10.00am to 2.00pm. The day begins with a classroom session using large ponder picture resources and videos to teach three key surf safe messages. The later part of the morning and afternoon are practical and children are introduced to the surf.

Yrs 3 and 4 – attend from 9.30am to 2.30pm. Similar to Yrs 1 and 2 with greater emphasis on the practical component, teaching how to body surf, how to use a boogy board. Five key SurfSafe messages are taught.

Yrs 5 and 6 expand upon the previous programme with greater emphasis on the science curriculum, wave formation, how currents are formed and the effects of water movement. Seven key SurfSafe messages are taught.

Yr 7 and 8 expands further on the environment and water currents and this lends itself to reinforcing the key SurfSafe messages by developing a greater understanding of beaches. Team sports are introduced in the water to increase their confidence.

A PROGRAMME OF ~ High Standards
BeachEd operates to strict safety standards:
- 1 to 5 Adult/child ratio
- 1 to 20 Instructor/child ratio
- Teacher feedback forms are used every day to monitor programme and teaching standards.

As part of SLSNZ’s Health and Safety Management System:
- RAM (Risk Assessment Management) sheets are completed twice daily due to the changing environment
- PHRIMS (Priority Hazard Risk Index Management) are completed for each venue to assess its safety and compliance with appropriate safety codes.
- All Instructors are qualified to minimum Lifeguard and first aid standards
- Safety audits of the District programmes are conducted each year by SLSNZ.

BeachEd is supported by Water Safety New Zealand and SunSmart. To find out more about BeachEd contact us email your local District contact or communications@slsnz.org.nz 

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