How To Join West Beach SLSC

Change your life this summer… 

Surf Life Saving continues to attract people from all walks of life. Whether you're looking to find a new sport, spend time with your family, meet new friends or develop new skills, Surf Life Saving has it all.

Who can join Surf Life Saving?

Absolutely anyone! Surf Life Saving Australia is the number one community based frontline rescue service and needs a membership of not only skilled male and female lifesavers, but also administrators, coaches, officials, athletes, supporters and children aged between 5 and 13 years for our Junior Activities Program.

You don't have to be 6ft tall. You don't have to be a super fit swimmer. You don't even have to get your toes wet. As long as you've got a positive attitude, you're perfect for Surf Life Saving.

What do I get out of being a surf lifesaver?

Surf Life Saving offers its members many useful skills and a great deal of satisfaction. As a member you can expect to:

• Have a lot of fun
• Get physically fit
• Build teamwork skills
• Be competitive
• Meet a network of friends
• Perform a vital job in the community
• Learn life saving skills
• Access great facilities & resources

Surf Life Saving training, patrolling and competition breeds teamwork and camaraderie. These activities are fun ways to meet and share a common interest with others. Our clubs offer training to improve your fitness and develop new skills.

Are there different membership categories that will suit me?

Yes! Surf Life Saving offers a range of membership categories for you to join. With more than 130,000 members in the movement nationally, a Surf Life Saving Club is a place where people from all walks of life and professions can provide an invaluable community service, whilst learning skills and making friends for life.

Junior Activities (5-13 years)

This category is for younger people who want to have fun and learn the basic skills in Surf Life Saving. This category is commonly known as "nippers" with the emphasis on fun and participation. "Nippers" is designed to provide an educational experience in a wide range of skills within the aquatic environment.

Surf Rescue Certificate (13-15 years)

This is the level that you become an 'Active' surf lifesaver and start your cadetship to being a fully accredited surf lifesaver. This is for those aged between 13 and 15 years with the introduction of the Surf Rescue Certificate at 13 years of age.

Active Members (15 years and over)

Active Members are those members over the age of 15 years who hold or are wishing to train to be as a minimum the Surf Life Saving Australia Bronze Medallion. Active member's duties include patrolling on the beach.

For those unable to obtain or preferring not to obtain the SLSA Bronze Medallion but wish to obtain other awards to help out, eg Advanced Resuscitation, Radio Operators and First Aid awards, we also need you.

Social Members

Social members receive membership discount card and club sticker. This entitles them to discounts on food and drink at the Surf Club Cafe. You also have access to some basic training course and invitation to other social event opportunities.

What do I have to do to be a surf lifesaver?

The Bronze Medallion is the minimum requirement for an active surf lifesaver. To obtain this award you must be over the age of 15 and demonstrate proficiency in surf awareness, survival, patrol and rescue procedures, emergency care plus anatomy and physiology.

Before commencing training for the Bronze Medallion you will be required to complete a 400-metre swim in nine minutes or less, in a swimming pool of no less than 25m, or over a measured open water course. Once this has been completed, our club will provide qualified instructors who will train you to the level of a proficient surf lifesaver.

At the completion of your training, which will take a couple of months, your physical fitness will be tested by a run-swim-run (a 200m run followed by a 200m swim and then another 200m run) which has to be completed in under eight minutes. You will also be examined on theory, basic resuscitation and first aid and participate in a simulated rescue situation using a rescue board and tube.

All these skills combine to train you to be an effective member of a patrol team.

Are there any other ways I can join SLSA without doing a Bronze Medallion?

Yes. SLSA offers a wide range of awards to its members and the community.

For example, by gaining basic awards in radio operations, you can assist with patrol observation and communication duties without having to perform water-based rescues.

If you are less than 15 years of age you can obtain a Surf Rescue Certificate. Probationary surf lifesavers can achieve this award from the age of 13. The award trains candidates in rescue skills, first aid and patient management, resuscitation, plus a theoretical component exploring safety knowledge and surf awareness.

If you are looking for a way to entertain your children during the summer season then why don't you join them up in our ‘nippers’ program. The Junior Activities Program is for children aged between 5 and 13 years and provides basic surf skills. For more information on Junior Activities, please download the SLSSA Parent/Junior Handbook (See Below).

So how do I join?

Download a Membership Registration Form, Fees Schedule and (if you are over 16) a National Police Clearance Form (see attachments below). Bring the completed forms and payment with proof of age to the Surf Club Café opening hours (8am to 2pm Monday to Sunday) or contact our Club Registrar Don Murchland on 0439-300-932 to register your membership. Once that is done please contact the Junior Chairperson (if person joining is under 14), Jim Hettner on 8355 3157 to organise a starting date for your training.