Find your placein Surf Life Saving

#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. ...

#WOMENINLIFESAVING // The Surf Life Saving Australia Women’s Mentoring Program - cohort 8 is now taking applications. What is it? The Program supports women in both their volunteer and professional roles, while contributing to SLSA’s 2030
Strategic Priorities by building a stronger and more gender diverse leadership pipeline that better reflects both our nation (51% women) and our movement (45% women).

The is a 12-month online initiative for members aged 16 and above. Each mentee is paired with a mentor from another state or territory, encouraging diverse perspectives, shared experiences, and national connections.

The 2026 Program will commence on 25 August 2026. Throughout the year, mentors and mentees will meet regularly online to discuss goals, leadership challenges, personal growth, and professional development.

Link to apply :: surflifesaving.com.au/members/circulars-memos/circular-85-25-26-slsa-womens-mentoring-program-cohort-8/

#pathways #mentor #lifesaving ...

#TRAINING // So many people think that it’s the “off season” for our lifesavers, but our members spend so much time training and upskilling especially in the idillic conditions like it was today at Dee Why SLSC.

Over winter new jetski operators will hone their wave and rescue skills to be ready for a busy summer ahead.

“Jetskis or RWCs (Rescue Water Craft) allow lifesavers to rapidly access treacherous areas like rock platforms, shallow waters, and offshore zones,” said Dee Why RWC Trainer.

There’s red and yellow scattered all over the coastline over the winter period and always welcoming.

#𝙑𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙚𝙧𝙨 #𝙀𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙮𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙪𝙚 Dee Why SLSC Surf Life Saving Sydney Northern Beaches ...

#DRONES // These numbers speak for themselves; 450+ pilots, 85,000+ flights 😮 Our UAV service across the state is huge and it is continuing to operate even throughout the winter period with additional locations added between now and August.

What happens when a shark is spotted by a drone pilot? Well, each pilot is logged on as active at their location with the State Operations Centre (SOC) so when they locate a shark they alert the SOC who can then activate appropriate resources and personnel.

#uav #sharks #nsw #lifesaving ...

#OFFICIALS // Behind the shot with our incredible Beach events officials. ✨They groom the Flags pit, stay braced for for the tight finishes and endure all weather from extreme heat to cyclonic wind. Their job can be tough but they show up, work together and have some good laughs too - some have become friends for life.

🙏 Thanks to the beach crew, we appreciate you!

#volunteers #surfsports #thankyou #appreciation ...

#TRAINING // This weekend our clubs were a buzz with training and community opportunities. Here are a couple from around the grounds:

👉 At @thirroulsurfclub there was a Silver Medallion Patrol Captains course held for @surflifesavingillawarra members

👉 At @lennoxheadslsc Chris and Bryan completed their IRB Crew qualifications

👉 At @deewhyslsc the club hosted a Chinese Australian Community Group, Beach Safety and Educational experience day.

👉 @mereslsc hosted an IRB Driver and Crew assessment for @huntersurflifesaving members

👉 @bsslsc had @lizziewelborn in town to deliver her @kamanacommunity young women’s program.

#mysurflife #slsnsw #weekend #may ...