ARE YOU READY
TO BECOME A LIFEGUARD?
Lifeguards have been saving lives on New Zealand beaches for a very long time, providing essential volunteer services to coastal communities.
Bethells Beach Surf Lifesaving ensures a high-quality, sustainable lifeguard service tailored to supporting our community. We know Bethells beach has strong currents, unpredictable waves, and being in a remote location of West Auckland makes it especially hazardous. Our Lifeguards provide essential safety and surveillance, ensuring that beachgoers can enjoy the coastline with expert assistance close at hand.
BECOME A
PATROLLING GUARD
We are always looking for new volunteer patrolling guards to join our team. We patrol every weekend from Labour Weekend to Easter Weekend, from 11am - 5pm during peak season and 11am - 4pm early/late season. Our active volunteers are allocated to one of four patrols, patrolling one full weekend per month (on average) during the season. There are approximately 20 guards per patrol, so there is lots of support and flexibility for our members.
How to register
QUALIFY
HOW TO
To become a patrolling guard at Bethells Beach you will first need to attend our training workshops, which are run by our team of volunteer instructors. Then you will then need to pass a district-run examination to gain your Surf Lifeguard Award (SLA - water based) or Patrol Support Award (PSA - land based only). Once qualified, you will be given a uniform (Red/Yellow for SLA and Blue for PSA), and rostered onto a patrol.
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PREREQUISITES
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Minimum 14 years of age prior to the pool exam date
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Registered member of Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ)
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Current financial member of Bethells Beach Surf Life Saving Patrol (BBSLSP) for 2026/2027 season - payments due early July 2026, link to be provided early July (please do not pay prior to July 2026)
Additional pre-requisites for SLA candidates:
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Can swim 400m in a pool non-stop freestyle in less than 9 minutes
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Owns suitable surf fins & suitable full length wetsuit
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Owns suitable/secure/appropriate togs for training and goggles
2026 Training Intake
We currently offer one intake per year (run during the off season) and qualify approximately 10-14 new guards before each season starts. There is a lot to learn and new guards will need to attend all of the training sessions and study hard in between training sessions, so they are prepared for the exam. We require our candidates to commit to the full training programme and exam dates - we cannot guarantee make up sessions/exams. The prerequisites must be met prior to the first training date.
Confirmed dates:
Every Thursday evening throughout Term 3 at West Wave, Henderson.
Thursday 23 July - Thursday 17 September 6:30pm - 8:30pm
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6:30pm-7:30pm theory in West Wave Recreation Centre, Piha Room
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7:30pm-8:30pm practical in the West Wave pool
Thursday 24 September Pool Exam only
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7:30pm - 9:00pm at West Wave pool
TBC Beach training:
Three beach training sessions (3 hours each) will be scheduled mid/late September/early October.
Following this a Beach exam will be scheduled in October.
THE EXAM
SLA candidates must attend two exams.
* They must first pass a pool exam which includes the 400m timed swim in less than 9 minutes, and several lifeguarding techniques (pool tube rescue, tows & releases).
* Secondly, all candidates (SLA & PSA) must attend a beach exam, where they must:
-First pass a written theory test.
-Successful candidates will then be tested on their CPR, first aid, signals, and radio use.
Finally SLA candidates will then need to complete a run-swim-run at the beach and a tube rescue, demonstrating drags and patient care.
After Qualifying
The Surf Lifeguard Award certifies that the holder has the basic skills and knowledge to be a Surf Lifeguard. However, it takes many hours of duty, training and upskilling to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to competently patrol one of New Zealand's most challenging beaches. We encourage our new members to attend most of their patrols to gain experience and learn from other lifeguards. Each year in November/December we offer our SLA qualified members an opportunity to upskill with their IRB Crewpersons Award (allowing them to crew the rescue boats) and Rock Module (allowing them to operate near rocks). There’s also a number of additional training and development opportunities that lifeguards can access and specialise in once they have the necessary skills and experience. This includes advanced surf lifeguarding camps, search and rescue, first aid, inflatable rescue boats (IRBS), rescue water craft (jet ski) operation, leadership development, and paid summer holiday work. Each year our members must refresh their skills to be eligible to patrol.
Q: Do I need to be young to be a lifeguard?
A: No, many of our patrolling lifeguards joined while their child was involved in junior surf. If you are keen and willing to learn, we welcome you. Our patrols have a healthy balance of young and young at heart!
Q: Can I help on patrol without getting qualified?
A: For safety reasons, only qualified SLA and PSA guards and Rookie guards enrolled in our Rookie programme can patrol.
Q: What happens if I fail the exam?
A: You will need to resit the exam. You may need to join the next intake to help you better prepare for the exam.
Q: Can I get qualified but not patrol for Bethells or just patrol occasionally?
A: Our volunteer instructors invest a lot of time into training and supporting new lifeguards, so we appreciate good intention, commitment and loyalty.
Q: I need support with a reader/writer
A: The region provides reader/writer support at the exam on request. Our volunteer instructors can help at the training sessions, but you will need to arrange support for your home study.
Q: I can't attend the training sessions or exam. How can I become a lifeguard?
A: Different clubs have different training structures. You can try another club to see if their training programme better aligns with your schedule.
Q: If I attend all the training workshops, will I pass the exam?
A: Our volunteer instructors do their best to help you prepare for the exam, but regular home study and self learning is also required during the training programme.
FAQs
SEASON STATISTICS
As of 1/6/26 for the 25/26 season
4,341
Volunteer Hours
Rescues
19
Assists
36
7
Major First Aid
Minor First Aid
16
Public Preventative Actions
2,113
2
Searches
131,243
Volunteer Hours
675
Rescue
806
First Aid
183
Searches
Since 2004
Child Protection Policies
At Bethells we are committed to the protection of all the young people who participate in our programmes.
To learn more about our policies and code of conduct
