Surf Groms (5-12yrs)

Woolworths SurfGroms is a national junior development program for 5-12yr olds that encourages kids to participate in surfing around Australia.

It is available exclusively through licensed Surfing Australia Surf Schools.

Woolworths SurfGroms consists of a series of lessons during school Terms and Holidays. 

Every child registered for a SurfGroms program will receive a one-size fits all hooded Rip Curl towel and their own online copy of the SurfGroms logbook to help them track their skill progression and work on activities at home. This logbook will be attached to your confirmation email in the form of an editable PDF that can be completed on a device, or printed off at home if preferred. For convenience, all hooded towels will be sent to our surf schools and will be available for collection during your attendance at the program.

Rip Curl rash vests will be available at each surf school for SurfGroms to use during each session. However, unlike previous years these will be returned to the school after use. Participants do not keep their rash vests this year, but instead get a fantastic hooded towel that should prove very useful after each session.

*Please note: Hooded Rip Curl towels will only be available for the first 8,000 groms to enroll in the program during the 21/22 season.

Surf Grom programs available now.

TERM 4 2023

Six week school term program

Saturday’s six week program 8-930am or 945-11.15am7th Oct to 11th Nov

Sunday’s six week program 8-930am or 945-11.15am | starting 8th Oct to 12th Nov

SUMMER HOLIDAYS 23/24 –

5 days programs

DATES AVAILABLE

MONDAY 11th Dec to FRIDAY 15th Dec

MONDAY 18th Dec to FRIDAY 22nd Dec

TUESDAY 2nd Jan to SATURDAY 6th Jan

MONDAY 8th Jan to FRIDAY 12th Jan

MONDAY 15th Jan to FRIDAY 19th Jan

TIMES AVAILABLE

LEVEL 1-3 times available 8-930am or 945-11.15am

LEVEL 3-5 times available 8-930am or 945-11.15am

Term 1 2024

six week school program

Saturday’s six week program 8-930am or 945-11.15am

Start date – Saturday 27th Jan to Saturday 2nd Match

Sunday’s six week program 8-930am or 945-11.15am

Start date – Sunday 28th Jan to Sunday 3rd March

Rates

Level 1 – $215.00/child + $25 Surfing Australia Administration Fee

Level 2 – $215.00/child + $25 Surfing Australia Administration Fee

Levels 3-5 – $210.00/child + $25 Surfing Australia Administration Fee

How many surf coaches are in attendance per program?

Surfing Australia sets a safe maximum instructor/student ratio of 1:8, however we usually keep numbers to 1:6 for extra safety for the kids to ensure maximum enjoyment and success in the water.

My child is not a strong swimmer, can he/she still join in?

Your child needs to be water confident to join SurfGroms. It is our expectation that your child can:

  • Float unassisted
  • Submerge without fear (open eyes underwater and demonstrate breath control i.e. blow bubbles underwater)
  • Free movement – move around confidently in an ocean environment independently and in a group situation

All Level 1 activities are conducted in shallow water (waist depth) only. This allows those with a limited swimming ability to participate in the program, enabling them to develop their skills and confidence before moving up to the next skill level.

Safety

It’s a well-known fact that Australians love the beach! It’s very much a part of who we are.

By including Water Awareness & Beach Safety principles into the SurfGroms programs and educating those who want to learn to surf at an early age, we can ensure every SurfGrom has the skills and knowledge needed to enjoy the beach and the ocean safely for a lifetime.

Throughout the program — each of the 5 surf levels— the following skills have been incorporated:

  • Water & beach conditions
  • Surf survival
  • Basic First Aid
  • Water rescue skills

This ensures every member understands how to stay safe on the beach and in the water, and maybe even save a life of their own.

Swimming Requirements

Your child must be water confident to join SurfGroms. It is our expectation that your child can:

  • Float unassisted
  • Submerge without fear (open eyes underwater and demonstrate breath control i.e. blow bubbles underwater)
  • Free movement – move around confidently in an ocean environment independently and in a group situation

Initially, all water activities are conducted in shallow water (waist depth) only. This allows those with a limited swimming ability to participate in the program, enabling them to develop their skills and confidence in the water before moving up to the next skill level.

Ocean Awareness & Beach Safety

For many years, Surfing Australia has worked closely with our younger community to educate them about the beach environment they live in. Now, with the support of the Federal Government through Sport Australia, Surfing Australia has developed a cutting edge junior development program for children across Australia that not only teaches them an exhilarating new sport, but educates them in ALL aspects of ocean awareness and beach safety, including:

Surf Conditions – details the types of waves a SurfGrom may encounter; how the wind and weather impacts surf conditions; how to recognise rips and other dangerous currents in the surf; understanding surfing etiquette; and how to protect the beach environment for future generations to enjoy.

Surf Survival & Ocean Rescue Skills – details the hazards SurfGroms are likely to encounter and how to minimise and deal with these hazards safely and effectively. Dealing with sun exposure and over exposure to the cold; self-rescue from the surf; identifying surfers and swimmers in difficulty and what to do; performing a basic board rescue; and understanding the different warnings and signals/flags used at the beach.

Basic First Aid – looks at the basic first aid procedures that every SurfGrom should be familiar with. Basic CPR; managing marine stings and bites; understanding shock; and treatments for common surfing injuries.

Surf Grom Make-up policy

To be entitled to a Makeup class, you must notify Coolum Surf School at least 2 hours prior to surf lesson start time, if you or your child will be absent due to illness. It is then your responsibility to organise the Make up with the Surf School before the end of the School Term. If you don’t turn up for a booked Makeup lesson, you will not be entitled to another one. Please call or text 0438 731 503

If any surf lesson is cancelled by Coolum Surfing School due to dangerous or inappropriate conditions, Coolum Surfing School will always arrange a Makeup class for this cancellation. There is no refund paid for any surf lesson not attended without notification.