Surf Life Saving Australia

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Surf Life Saving Australia
AbbreviationSLSA
Formation18 October 1907;115 years ago (1907-10-18)
Headquarters Bondi Beach, Sydney, NSW
Region served
Australia
Membership
181,603
President
John Baker ESM
Key people
Adam Weir (CEO)
Subsidiaries Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service
Affiliations Australian Water Safety Council
International Life Saving Federation
Staff
43 (2017) [1]
Website sls.com.au
Formerly called
Surf Life Saving Association of Australia

Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) is an Australian not-for-profit community organisation that promotes water safety and provides surf rescue services.

Contents

SLSA strives to 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. As of 30 June 2020 the organisation had 181,603 members with 314 affiliated surf life saving clubs. [2] The majority of its services are provided by volunteer surf lifesavers, that provided 1.26 million hours of service, rescued 7,731 people, performed 1,609,184 preventative actions and provided 68,766 first aid treatments during 2019/20. [3] In 1973, the organisation established the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service that, during 2016/17, delivered 850 rescue missions via helicopter. [3]

Surf Life Saving Australia also operates Australia's largest lifeguard service, contracting to local government and other coastal land managers. Additional income is sourced through community donations, fundraising and corporate sponsorship. SLSA is a foundation member of the International Life Saving Federation (ILS). [4]

History

In 1902 it was against the law to enter the ocean during daylight hours in Australia . [5] A Sydney newspaper editor William Gocher announced his challenge of this law at Manly Beach [5] [6] however it is unclear this act changed the rules. What did occur is that 10 days after an incident at Bondi on 13 November 1902, Randwick Council became the first to allow daylight bathing. [7] Eventually as more people began to challenge the law it was reversed but inexperienced swimmers were having problems with unusual surf conditions such as rip currents and the number of drownings increased. [5] Groups of volunteers began to patrol the beach to assist and on 21 February 1907 the Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club was formed. [5] The Surf Bathing Association of New South Wales was formed on 18 October 1907 when nine voluntary surf life saving clubs and representatives of the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) met and affiliated to represent the interests of surf lifesavers. [8] In attendance were the Royal Life Saving Society, Manly Surf Club (this a different organisation to the Manly Life Saving Club which was formed in 1911 [9] ), Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club, Coogee Surf Life Brigade, Bronte Surf Brigade, Bondi Surf and Social Club (North Bondi SLSC), Tamarama Surf Club (only lasted a few weeks/months and then collapsed), Maroubra Surf Club, United Wanderers Surf Club and Woollahra Surf Club. [8] The meeting resolved:

"That it is desirable to form an association of surf clubs, to secure improved facilities for surf bathing, and otherwise promote and regulate the sport..." and "That the association be called 'The Surf Bathing Association of N.S.W." [10]

The name was changed to Surf Life Saving Association of Australia (SLSAA) in 1922; [8] and changed again in 1991 to the current Surf Life Saving Australia. [8]

Women were actively involved in surf-lifesaving for many years, and in 1980 the association rules were changed so that they could become active patrolling members of the SLSA. [11]

A Surf Life Saving buggy at Kingscliff, New South Wales Salt Surf Life Saving Club, Salt Beach, Kingscliff, NSW 06.jpg
A Surf Life Saving buggy at Kingscliff, New South Wales

Surf Life Saving

SLSA's vision is zero preventable drowning deaths in Australian waters, and is worked towards through patrolling beaches, coastal risk assessments, education, and training. [4] Since 1907, surf lifesavers have rescued over 650,000 beachgoers. [12] In 2017-18, surf lifesavers and Australian Lifeguard Service (ALS) Lifeguards performed 10,249 rescues, 65,296 first aid treatments, and over 1.5 million preventative actions on Australia's beaches. [3]

States and branches: Geographical areas and divisions

Membership

As of 30 June 2020, Surf Life Saving has a membership base of 181,603. [14] Nationally there are 72,689 [14] junior members, or Nippers as they are more commonly known. Nippers are aged between 5–13 years and learn beach safety and awareness skills, in a fun and healthy environment.

Lifesavers at Bondi Beach (1)Bondi Beach 013.jpg
Lifesavers at Bondi Beach

Training

Surf lifesavers must be competent swimmers and skilled in rescue techniques, resuscitation and first aid. The entry level qualification to be a surf lifesaver is the Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC). Volunteers must be at least 13 years old to undertake this qualification, which involves theory and practical training, and an assessment of patrolling and lifesaving skills.

Upon completion of the Surf Rescue Certificate, surf lifesavers are encouraged to undertake the Bronze Medallion and then additional training in the areas of Emergency Care, Powercraft, Beach Management, Aquatic Rescue and Training and Assessment. Lifesavers must also participate in an annual skills maintenance session to ensure that they maintain and update their skills.

International Development

Most of Surf Life Saving’s international work is undertaken in the Asia-Pacific region, not only due to geographical location, but also because of the aquatic environments within the region. Also, as the largest developed country within the Asia Pacific region, a great deal of responsibility to support developing countries lies with Australia.

Research

Surf Life Saving Australia is focused on exploring statistical and analytical data to support development of education, technology, communications and operations to reduce coastal drowning deaths in Australia. Although SLSA has been conducting research for many years, 2010 was the birth of a dedicated and thorough research program. The SLSA Research Scheme was introduced to adopt rigour into research project design and provide funding for targeted and priority research projects.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Surf lifesaving</span> Beach surf lifesaving volunteers

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".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lifeguard</span> Profession

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tamarama, New South Wales</span> Suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Tamarama is a beachside suburb, eastern suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Tamarama is 6 kilometres east of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Waverley Council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nippers</span>

Nippers are young surf lifesavers, usually aged between 5 and 14 years old, in clubs across Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Unlike senior surf lifesavers, the majority of them do not patrol the beaches. The focus for Nippers tends to be on fun, and surf awareness.

Surf Life Saving Northern Region is the largest of four regions that make up Surf Life Saving New Zealand. As of the 2021/2022 season, it is made up of 18 clubs that look after 22 patrol locations from Ahipara to Raglan on the West Coast and from Whangārei Heads to Takapuna on the East Coast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inflatable rescue boat</span>

Inflatable Rescue Boats (IRBs) are rubber boats with an outboard motor used in surf lifesaving. IRBs have been used for all forms of surf rescue, retrieval, and service by Surf Lifesaving in New Zealand, Australia, and Del Mar, California since the late 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Surf Life Saving Club</span>

Surf Life Saving Clubs are volunteer institutions at Australia's beaches. The clubs conduct surf lifesaving services on weekends and public holidays, and in the 2014-2015 season they saved 12,690 people. They also host many beach sport activities, such as Nippers, surf carnivals and other competitions. The SLSCs are responsible for the education of Lifesavers including operation of Inflatable Rescue Boats (IRBs) and maintaining radio communication with other beaches and air rescue resources.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manly Life Saving Club</span>

The Manly Life Saving Club is one of Australia's oldest Surf Life Saving Clubs, founded in 1911; located in the Sydney suburb of Manly, in the Northern Beaches Council in New South Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piha Surf Life Saving Club</span>

Piha Surf Life Saving Club is a surf lifesaving club for the southern section of Piha, on the west coast of Auckland, New Zealand, some 45 km from the Auckland City centre. The patrol was featured in the TVNZ reality show Piha Rescue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service</span> Helicopter rescue service in Australia

The Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service is a helicopter surf lifesaving service that operates in Australia.

The Coogee Surf Life Saving Club is a foundation member of the surf lifesaving movement in Australia. It was founded in 1907 by a group of concerned locals and has a proud history of no lives being lost whilst its members have patrolled. Coogee SLSC celebrated its 100-year anniversary in 2007, the Year of the Lifesaver.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lifesaving</span>

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, speed and teamwork. Lifesaving activities specialized in oceanic environment is called surf lifesaving or coastal lifesaving.

Surf Patrol, Australia's Lifesavers is an Australian reality television series that airs on the Seven Network. The series is produced by the Australian production company Cornerbox, the producers of Seven's other factual series The Force and Border Security: Australia's Front Line. The first season was presented by Simon Westaway, with Naomi Robson taking over for season two, and Tom Williams for series three.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bronte Beach</span>

Bronte Beach is a small but popular recreational beach in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, Australia. It is a division of the LGA of Waverley Council. Bronte Beach is 2 kilometres south of Bondi Beach and north of the much larger Coogee Beach.

The club was founded in 1903 and the movement has since spread to other parts of New South Wales and the rest of the country. The club rests on indigenous land and whilst there is no clear evidence for the name or names of the Eora people who lived in what is now the Waverley area, most sources agree on the Cadigal, but some sources name the Biddigal and Birrabirragal bands as well.

The South Port Surf Lifesaving Club was established 1959 in the coastal Adelaide suburb of Port Noarlunga, South Australia. The South Port Clubhouse is 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 an excellent surfing beach both for 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.

The Freshwater Surf Life Saving Club, established in 1908, is located at Freshwater Beach in Australia. It has become a large volunteer organization with strong community bonds. The club was founded by a push from government to foster safer beach practices. It is a part of Surf Life Saving Australia, a not-for-profit organization committed to keeping the beach safe for patrons and providing beach rescue services. A visit to the club from United States' surfer, Duke Kahanamoku, in 1914 helped initiate the sport of surfing in Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lifesaving (sport)</span>

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References

  1. "Annual Report" (website). Surf Life Saving Australia. 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  2. "Surf Life Saving Australia Annual Report 2017-18". Surf Life Saving. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 "Surf Life Saving Australia Annual Report 2017-18". Surf Life Saving. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  4. 1 2 "President & CEO's Report - Surf Life Saving". Surf Life Saving. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Fenner, Peter J (2005). "Surf Life Saving Australia". South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society Journal. 35: 33–43. Archived from the original on 13 January 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2012.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. Mitchell, Bruce (1983). "Gocher, William Henry (1856-1921)". Australian Dictionary of Biography . National Centre of Biography, Australian National University . Retrieved 30 December 2013.
  7. "Urban myth or surfing history? - HONEST HISTORYHONEST HISTORY". honesthistory.net.au. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  8. 1 2 3 4 O'Byrne, Garry Browne (November–December 2006). "Making the Legend Coogee Surf Life Saving Club in the 1950s". AQ: Australian Quarterly . Australian one d. 78 (6): 13–21.
  9. Coulter, Stephen (26 July 2010). "Manly Life Saving Club is Australia and the World's First Surf LifeSaving Club". The Manly Daily . Archived from the original on 24 August 2010. Retrieved 17 August 2011. and "History". Manly Lifesaving Club. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  10. "History - SLS Sydney Branch". surflifesavingsydney.com.au. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  11. Henningham, Nikki (16 May 2007). "Surf Lifesaving Australia (1907 - )". Australian Women's Archives Project. The Australian Women’s Register. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  12. "Who We Are - Surf Life Saving". Surf Life Saving. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  13. https://williamstownslsc.org.au.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  14. 1 2 "Surf Life Saving Australia Annual Report 2017-18". Surf Life Saving. Retrieved 21 November 2018.