Surf Life Saving

A surf lifesaver is a trained volunteer who patrols our beaches on weekends and public holidays. They perform vital roles including aquatic rescues, providing first aid and emergency care, and sharing surf safety advice with the public.

Becoming a surf lifesaver is rewarding, fun, and a great way to stay fit and healthy. You’ll gain valuable aquatic safety skills, make new mates, compete in surf sports, and give back to your local community. One day, you might even save someone’s life.

What’s involved?

To become a surf lifesaver, you’ll need to join your local surf life saving club. Then you’ll complete your Bronze Medallion, the key training qualification.

To start your Bronze, you must be at least 15 years old and show you’re proficient in:

Surf awareness and survival
Patrol and rescue procedures
Emergency care
Basic anatomy and physiology

Once you’ve earned your Bronze and joined your club, you’ll wear the red and yellow with pride and be rostered for patrols on the beach.

Surf Life Saving Australia

Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) is the nation’s peak coastal water safety, drowning prevention, and rescue authority. Through beach patrols, training, public education campaigns, and the promotion of health and fitness, SLSA helps keep our coastline safe.

With over 198,000 members and 315 affiliated surf life saving clubs, SLSA represents the largest volunteer movement of its kind in the world. Most services are delivered by volunteer surf lifesavers who give their time to patrol beaches. SLSA also operates Australia’s largest professional lifeguard service.

Since its establishment in 1907, surf lifesavers have rescued over 715,000 people.

Surf Life Saving is a not-for-profit movement that relies on community donations, fundraising, and corporate support. It’s deeply woven into local communities, offering mateship, education, experience, and a positive, uniquely Australian ‘can do’ spirit.

It protects life, saves life, and promotes life.

Surf Life Saving New South Wales

Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) is the state’s leading water safety and rescue organisation, with over 75,000 members across 129 surf clubs.

As the largest surf rescue organisation in Australia, SLSNSW brings together volunteer surf lifesavers, professional lifeguards, support operations, and vital drowning prevention systems. In the 2022/23 season, SLSNSW volunteers performed over 4,400 rescues and approximately 1.1 million preventive actions.

Surf Life Saving Illawarra

Surf Life Saving Illawarra comprises 17 surf life saving clubs from Helensburgh-Stanwell Park to Windang. Each club has its own colours and cap design, proudly worn in competition. Many clubs have websites where you can learn more about their location and activities.

For other enquiries, you can contact Surf House during office hours.
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