Find your placein Surf Life Saving

#MEMBERSPOTLIGHT // Making a difference in and out of the water 👏

From Nipper to Patrol Captain alongside her father, @north_avoca_slsc member Layne Paull embodies the spirit of service.

In 2025, Layne launched North Avoca`s first Inclusive Nippers program, creating opportunities for children of all abilities to experience surf lifesaving in a supportive environment. Alongside her volunteer patrol duties, she works as a disability support worker, studies Biomedical Engineering, and volunteers with a number of organisations focused on inclusion and adaptive sport.

Her commitment to helping others extends well beyond the beach, including her work with @free3dhands, helping develop innovative assistive devices that improve accessibility and independence.

Layne`s passion, leadership and dedication to creating opportunities for others make her an outstanding role model within our movement and the wider community.

Thank you, Layne, for everything you do. ❤️💛 ...

#IRBPREMIERSHIP // Competition Shines as Caves Seals Premiership Series.
 
It’s another @sharkskin_watersports NSW Inflatable Rescue Boat Premiership title for @cavesbeachslsc, but the win came with a statement from a Sydney club that the chasing pack is getting closer and closer with every race.
 
PREMIERSHIP OVERALL POINT SCORE
🥇Caves Beach – 456 (@cavesbeachslsc)
🥈North Cronulla – 361 (@northcronullaslsc)
🥉Thirroul – 293 (@thirroul_irb)
4th: Newport – 279
5th: Kiama Downs – 258
6th: Queenscliff – 211
 
📸 Big thanks to Shane Abrahamson for these great shots!
 
#irbracing #surfsports #lifesaving #sharkskin @swanseabelmont ...

#WWCW2026 // For Working with Children Week 2026, we’re reinforcing our commitment to keeping children and young people safe in our clubs.

The 2026 theme, `Start Safe: Smarter Recruitment for Child Safety`, highlights the importance of strong child-safe practices from the very beginning.

Thank you to all clubs for helping build a safe, supportive environment. Clubs can keep improving child safety by verifying Working with Children Checks through the Office of the Children’s Guardian and reminding all patrol members to complete the SLS Child Safe Awareness course.

Working with Children Week is from 22–28 June 2026. ...

#COMMUNITYSPIRIT // Looking back on yesterday’s community swim at Coogee, it’s hard not to feel proud of what was achieved.

What began as a response to a challenging week became a powerful show of community spirit, with locals coming together to support one another and regain confidence in the water.

A huge credit to @coogeeslsc, @randwickcouncil and everyone who helped make the event possible. The scenes on the beach and in the water were a reminder of what can be achieved when a community comes together.

Thousands joined the community swim, with many more showing their support from the shore. A sold-out barbecue raised funds for Leah Stewart and her family.

A special thank you to the Surf Life Saving NSW and Council Lifeguards whose significant water safety efforts helped ensure the event could be held safely.

📸 @gd_photo

#coogee #coogeebeach #surflifesavingnsw ...

#REFUGEEWEEK // Celebrating Refugee Week at Cronulla Beach

Today, 55 newly arrived community members joined us for a beach safety experience designed to build confidence, connection and essential water safety skills.

Delivered in partnership with @ssi_news and @suthshirecncl / @sutherlandshirelifeguards, the day provided an opportunity to learn about staying safe at the beach, ask questions and enjoy one of Australia`s most iconic environments in a welcoming and supportive setting.

A huge thank you to everyone for sharing their knowledge and helping create an inclusive experience where everyone felt safe, supported and encouraged to get involved.

When people feel confident around the water, they`re better equipped to enjoy our beaches safely. Days like today highlight the positive impact of community partnerships in making that possible.

#RefugeeWeek #BeachSafety #WaterSafety #CommunityEducation #SurfLifeSavingNSW ...

#IRBPREMIERSHIP // The wait is over...

After Round 3 was cancelled due to hazardous weather and surf conditions, the @sharkskin_watersports IRB Premiership returns this weekend as crews from across the state converge on Swansea Belmont SLSC for Round 4 (20–21 June).

With the premiership race entering the business end of the season, every point matters. Caves Beach SLSC remains the team to catch, but plenty can change as competitors battle it out on the water in the final opportunity to climb the ladder before the State Championships in July.

CURRENT LEADERBOARD
🥇Caves Beach SLSC
🥈Thirroul SLSC
🥉Newport SLSC
Just behind in fourth:
North Cronulla SLSC

📸 Photos courtesy of Richard Black from round 2

#slsnsw #irbseries #surflifesaving #surfsports ...

#RESCUE // Coogee shark bite hero reflects on rescue efforts.
@NorthBondislsc and @Newportsurfclub lifesaver, Charlie Verco, says he’s “never been more grateful to be a part of Surf Life Saving” after his actions during a shark incident at Coogee where he was able to bring a woman who had been bitten back to shore.
LINK TO FULL STORY IN BIO 🔗

#slsnsw #coogee #lifesaving #shark ...

#FINALISTS // NSW Lifesavers Among Community Sports Awards Finalists

Surf Life Saving NSW members and initiatives will contest five categories at the upcoming NSW Community Sports Awards.

@cudgenheadland.slsc surf sports legend, Scott McCartney is one of five nominees contesting the Community Coach of the Year category, while his U17 Male Taplin Relay Team is up for the Community Team of the Year.

Robyn Carr of @bondisurf.club is up for Community Official of the Year, @coogeeslsc will represent Surf Life Saving as a finalist in the Community Club of the Year category, and SLSNSW’s 2026 State Championships at Swansea Belmont is a chance to be named the Community Event of the Year.

Meanwhile, Evans Head Casino surf club stalwart John Watson will receive a small token of appreciation for his many decades of service as a volunteer and surf sports official with the Distinguished Long Service Award.

Wato, as he is known, is being recognised as he has demonstrated extraordinary, unwavering dedication over a period of more than 25 years.

The 2026 NSW Community Sports Awards will be presented on Monday, 29 June.

#lifesaving #slsnsw #surfsports ...

#VIVID26 // The lights may steal the spotlight at @vividsydney, but it`s the people behind the scenes who make events possible.

As Vivid Sydney 2026 comes to a close, we`d like to recognise the incredible professionalism, dedication and expertise of our Event Safety Team.

For all 23 nights of the festival, our Water Safety, First Aid, Paramedic and Control Room teams worked across the Sydney CBD footprint, helping keep one of Australia`s largest events safe.

A huge thank you to every team member involved. We are incredibly proud of the role you played in delivering another safe and successful Vivid Sydney.

#Vividsydney #sydney #FeelNSW #visitsydney @destination_nsw ...

#TAFRD // Thank a First Responder Day 🙏 because recognition for the selfless service of helping others is important! For those who keep us safe at the beach and put their lives on the line along our coastline.

Frm patrolling members, JetSki and IRB crew, UAV teams, call-out teams and duty officers - we see you, we thank you ❤️💛

Thank a First Responder Day, started last year, encourages the community to give thanks for the incredible work first responders do and the families that support them.

#thankyou #lifesavers #slsnsw #volunteers ...

#PARLIAMENTARYFRIENDS // There was a huge turnout last week at NSW Parliament where we presented the highlights from the patrol season to our parliamentarians.

Convened by the Chair of the NSW Parliamentary Friends of Surf Life Saving, Dr Marjorie O’Neill, we celebrated the enormous contribution made by our volunteer lifesavers and reflected on some of the challenges faced by our clubs and members.

SLS continues to enjoy significant bipartisan support and we were thrilled to see so many people pop by our presentation and engage with the incredible work our volunteers do every year in their communities.

#surflifesaving #slsnsw #nswparliament #lifesavers ...

#HONOURS // Congratulations to the NSW Surf Life Saving leaders recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours for lifetime contributions spanning frontline patrols to international leadership. 

Receiving an AM for significant service to Surf Life Saving and the community is SLSNSW Life Member and former SLSNSW, Central Coast Branch, and @uminaslsc President, Brett Harrod.

Medals of the Order of Australia (OAMs) have been awarded to Sydney Northern Beaches Branch Life Members, Peter Kinsey (@longreefsls) and Tracey Lake (Narrabeen Beach SLSC), Malcolm Butterfield of @cronullaslsc, Nicholas Newton of @mereslsc, Dave Torevell of @freshwater_slsc, and Paul Lemmon of @terrigalslsc.

Also receiving OAMs for service to other fields include Steven Adams, associated with Cooks Hill SLSC, Noline Cornhill, a member at @capehawkeslsc, and Mark Williams, a member at @warriewoodslsc .

Two members have also received the prestigious Emergency Services Medal (ESM) - @avocabeachslsc stalwart, Stuart Harvey and Far North Coast Branch Director of Lifesaving, David Rope. ...