Surf lifesaving is a multifaceted social movement that comprises key aspects of voluntary lifeguard services and competitive surf sport. Originating in early 20th century Australia, the movement has expanded globally to other countries, including New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. Surf lifesavers in Australia are colloquially known as "Clubbies".
A lifeguard is a rescuer who supervises the safety and rescue of swimmers, surfers, and other water sports participants such as in a swimming pool, water park, beach, spa, river and lake. Lifeguards are trained in swimming and CPR/AED first aid, certified in water rescue using a variety of aids and equipment depending on requirements of their particular venue. In some areas, lifeguards are part of the emergency services system to incidents and in some communities, lifeguards may function as the primary EMS provider.
A surfski is a type of kayak in the kayaking "family" of paddling craft. It is generally the longest of all kayaks and is a performance oriented kayak designed for speed on open water, most commonly the ocean, although it is well suited to all bodies of water and recreational paddling.
The Royal Life Saving Society UK is a drowning prevention charity founded in 1891 in the UK. It has had Royal Patronage since 1904.
The sport of Ironman was developed in 1964 in Australia by Valentine Trainor to combine the four main disciplines of surf lifesaving into a single race; swimming, board paddling, ski paddling and running. The sport should not be confused with Ironman triathlon. It is typically run as a single event as a part of a surf life saving carnival, although it can be run as a sport in its own right. Internationally it is sometimes called Oceanman.
The International Life Saving Federation (ILS) is an organisation for drowning prevention, water safety, lifesaving and lifesaving sports.
Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) is an Australian not-for-profit community organisation that promotes water safety and provides surf rescue services.
Lifesaving is the act involving rescue, resuscitation and first aid. It often refers to water safety and aquatic rescue; however, it could include ice rescue, flood and river rescue, swimming pool rescue and other emergency medical services. Lifesaving also refers to sport where lifesavers compete based on skills, technique, speed and teamwork. Lifesaving activities specialized in oceanic environment is called surf lifesaving or coastal lifesaving.
The surf life saving reel was a beach life saving apparatus from Australia.
The Bronze Medallion, signifying a qualified lifesaver, has been a lifesaving standard award of The Royal Life Saving Society - Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia for over one hundred years. It was developed in England in 1892. It has evolved over the years to accommodate the environmental conditions of Australia.
The British Universities Lifesaving Clubs' Association (BULSCA) is the governing body for lifesaving sport at the University level in the United Kingdom. It organises the university-level competition schedule, assists with the training of judges, and hosts an annual Student National Championship. BULSCA organises competitions in England, Scotland, and Wales and also includes member teams from Northern Ireland and Ireland. In recent years the club has also been represented at international competition, including the Grand Prix Moravie held in Brno, Czech Republic. For the years 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 the BULSCA championships at Swansea and Bristol respectively also played host to a team representing Greek Universities.
The ILS World Life Saving Championships are the world championships for lifesaving sport events. They are sanctioned by the International Life Saving Federation (ILS), conducted every 2 years, and formerly marketed and known as the ‘Rescue’ series, for example – Rescue 2008.
National Water Life Saving Association (NWLSA), also known as Chinese Taipei Water Life Saving Association (CTWLSA), is the major lifesaving organization in Taiwan. The organization's members are mainly volunteer lifesavers, police officers, firefighters and civilians who are enthusiastic about water sports, water safety awareness and water rescue events.
Lifesaving was introduced as a World Games sport at the 1985 World Games in London.
The lifesaving events at the 2009 World Games in Kaohsiung was played between 23 and 25 July. 96 athletes from 8 nations participated in the tournament. The competition took place in Kaohsiung Swimming Pool for pool events and in Sizihwan Bay for beach events. For both men and women, there were four individual events in pool lifesaving, three individual events in beach lifesaving, and an overall team event combining five non-medal team and relay events in pool and beach disciplines.
The South Port Surf Lifesaving Club (SLSC) was established in 1959 in the coastal Adelaide suburb of Port Noarlunga, South Australia, and it is currently situated in the sand dunes at the mouth of the Onkaparinga River Estuary. Due to its location at the mouth of a major South Australian river and its position in Gulf St Vincent, South Port is a renowned surfing beach for both board riders and body surfers.
The Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club is Australia's oldest Surf Life Saving Club, founded in 1907. The club was officially established on 21 February 1907 at the Royal Hotel in Bondi Beach, Sydney, New South Wales. The clubs aim is to ensure "No Lives Lost" at Bondi Beach and is a volunteer organisation that patrols Bondi Beach from October to April every year.
Daniel McLellan is a surf swimmer and life saving competitor who represented Australia on nine occasions during the 1990s. He has won numerous Australian titles and has saved many unexpected lives over his years of profession and non professional Surf Life Saving Australia) participation and competed in Kellogg's Surf League. He also represented Australia at the World Life Saving Championships and World Interclub Championships.
Lifesaving South Africa (LSA) is a South African organisation that promotes water safety and provides surf rescue services. LSA is a founding member organisation of the International Life Saving Federation, and a member of Royal Life Saving Society. It is recognised by DSAC and SASCOC.
The lifesaving events at the 2001 World Games in Akita was played between 24 and 26 August. 90 athletes from 9 nations participated in the tournament. The competition took place in Akita Prefectural Pool for pool events and in Iwaki Island Park for beach events. For both men and women, there were four individual events in pool lifesaving, three individual events in beach lifesaving, and an overall team event combining five non-medal team and relay events in pool and beach disciplines.
