Years 7 to 8
Intermediate surf programs
The age where surfing clicks. Real paddling, real pop-ups, real waves, plus the rip identification and self-rescue skills every New Zealand teenager should own before high school.
What it is
Surf skills with a safety spine
Intermediate students are ready for the full progression: board control, paddling technique, pop-up mechanics, then wave after wave of whitewater riding, with the quick learners moving to green waves under instructor escort. Woven through the stoke is the serious stuff: reading the beach, spotting rips, and knowing exactly what to do when the ocean surprises you.
- Half day or full day
- 1:4-8 ratio depending on age
- From $22 per student
- Years 7 to 8, all abilities
Learning outcomes: students can identify rips and safe zones, perform a controlled pop-up and ride whitewater, demonstrate a self-rescue float-and-signal, and talk through what the challenge taught them.
Hour by hour
Sample full-day itinerary
- Arrive, welcome, gear up
Welcome, wetsuit fit-out, and a safety briefing with the day's surf forecast on the whiteboard.
- Read the beach
Students identify the rip, the bank and the flags, then justify the session's surf zone like a lifeguard would.
- Surf session one
Land drills then straight into whitewater. Instructors positioned through the line-up at stated ratios.
- Lunch and debrief
What worked, what got you tumbled, what to change after lunch.
- Self-rescue skills
Float, signal, conserve energy, ride the rip's edge back to the bank: practised in controlled shallows.
- Surf session two
Maximum wave count. Ready students go beyond the whitewater with an instructor alongside.
- Wrap-up and farewell
Gear return, session highlights, and the group photo with boards raised.
Intermediate questions
What Year 7-8 teachers ask
Will students actually stand up and surf?
Nearly all Year 7 and 8 students ride whitewater standing by the end of their first session. Confident students progress to catching small unbroken waves with an instructor alongside.
How does a surf day fit our health and PE programme?
The day maps directly to HPE movement skills and challenge strands, wellbeing reflection, and the senior Water Skills for Life competencies including rip identification and safety of self and others. We supply the outcomes table for your unit plan. See the curriculum page for the full map.
Can we bring the whole year group?
Yes. Large cohorts rotate through surf, beach-skills and team-building stations so in-water ratios never stretch. We have full intermediate schools of over 700 students join us over a two-week program! Tell us your numbers and we will design the rotations and the days.
What do students learn beyond standing up?
The skills that matter for the rest of their lives around NZ beaches: how to spot a rip, how to self-rescue if they get caught, how to read conditions, and how to make good calls for themselves and their mates. The surfing is the hook; the water knowledge is the point.
Our class ranges from keen surfers to total beginners. How does that work?
Generally for Years 7 and 8 it's all beginner introductory lessons. Everyone gains confidence and stands in the whitewater, while confident surfers may progress onto smaller green waves if we have them on the day! Nobody is out of their depth.
Does a surf day work for activity week or EOTC week?
Perfectly, it's one of our busiest formats. A full day slots straight into an activity week program, and because we handle gear, instruction and operational oversight, it's easy. For full-week programs with large cohorts, book in advance and we can also pencil in dates for the following year!
What intermediates say
Reviews from intermediate schools
The students 'loved' the surfing aspect of the day very much and then the life rescue. I went to the days twice and enjoyed them very much.Cara Bergin-Stuart, Deputy Principal Northcross Intermediate, roll 1,505
Even though it was hideous weather, it was freezing lol, my year 8's were in there doing it... Toby and Thomas were outstanding and so efficient and quick!Gemma Thompson, Team Leader Whangarei Intermediate School, roll 530
Aotearoa Surf has a special way of relating to children of a range of abilities and backgrounds. Students who were apprehensive or nervous to attend this day ended up having a great time.Natalie Epsom, Intermediate Team Leader Mangawhai Beach School
Give your Year 7s and 8s their first real waves
Send your term dates and numbers and we will come back with a plan within one school day.