A surf lifesaver is a trained volunteer who patrols our beaches on the weekends. They undertake a number of roles including aquatic rescues, providing first aid and emergency care and providing surf safety information to the public.
Becoming a surf lifesaver is satisfying, fun and rewarding. You can lead a fit and healthy lifestyle, become trained in aquatic safety skills, make new mates, compete in surf sports, and give something back to your local community. You may also help save someone’s life one day.
What’s involved?
To become a surf lifesaver you need to join your local surf life saving club. You will then need to obtain your Bronze Medallion training qualification. To obtain this you must be over the age of 15 and demonstrate proficiency in surf awareness, survival, patrol and rescue procedures, emergency care plus anatomy and physiology.
Once you’ve successfully completed this and you have signed up with your local club, you will be wearing the red and yellow, and can proudly call yourself a surf lifesaver. Your club will then allocate you your patrol hours.
Surf Life Saving Australia
Surf Life Saving is Australia’s major water safety, drowning prevention and rescue authority. We create a safe environment on Australia’s beaches and coastline through patrols, education and training, public safety campaigns and the promotion of health and fitness.
With 166,923 members and 311 affiliated surf life saving clubs, Surf Life Saving is the largest volunteer movement of its kind in Australia.
The majority of our services are provided by surf lifesavers who complete surf patrols voluntarily. We also operate the country’s largest lifeguard service, contracting to local government and other coastal land managers.
In the 2012-13 season, our volunteer patrol members were involved in 8,048 rescues, while our paid lifeguards rescued 3,485 more, taking the total number of lives saved since 1907 to over 620,000.
Surf Life Saving is a not-for-profit movement that exists only through community donations, fundraising and corporate sponsorship. We are an active part of Australian local communities. Our movement prides itself on offering mateship, education, experience and in doing so gives back to the community.
For people young and old, Surf Life Saving inspires a positive and uniquely Australian attitude. Because every member, every club, the entire movement, embraces and promotes a ‘can do’ attitude to life. It protects life, it saves life, it promotes life. Read more about SLSA »
Surf Life Saving New South Wales
As the state’s major water safety and rescue organisation, our 75,000 members also makes us one of the largest volunteer movements in Australia. Our primary role is to save lives on the beach and our 129 Surf Life Saving Clubs protected more than 8.5 million beachgoers last season.
Surf Life Saving NSW is the largest surf rescue organisation in Australia. We are a network of volunteer surf lifesavers, professional lifeguards, support operations and drowning prevention infrastructure and systems. Read more about SLSNSW »
Surf Life Saving Illawarra
Surf Life Saving Illawarra has 17 Surf Life Saving Clubs. Some clubs have websites for you to investigate their locations and activities. Any other enquiries can be answered be calling Surf House during office hours. Each club has an individually coloured cap. These caps are used in competition. Read more about SLSI »
