Lifesaving Services
Our Club has a strong volunteer patrol network which is committed to providing a safe aquatic environment for the community on our beautiful beach and surrounding coastline.
Volunteer Heroes
Lifesaving
Patrols are the most important component of our club activities and are our core business. Patrols are the reason surf life saving exists – to prevent drowning and to keep the swimming public safe. Without patrols, surf life saving clubs as we know them, would cease to exist. Please contact the Beach Captain if you are interested in becoming a Lifesaver.
Beach Patrols
All Active Members will be included on a patrol roster. New Lifesavers and new members who already have their Bronze Medallion are also assigned to a Patrol and are required to undertake half-day patrols, usually around one every month, throughout the season (September to April) on either a Saturday or Sunday with the odd public holiday. You are expected to attend all of your rostered patrols. Should you somehow not be placed on a roster, please contact the Beach Captain immediately. Patrolling the beach is the Club’s primary function – all other activities are just benefits of being involved!
Becoming a Surf Lifesaver
MWWSLSC has its own qualified trainers who conduct regular Bronze (Certificate II In Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue)) and SRC courses (for members under 15) – the qualification required to become a Lifesaver. Each course takes approximately 9 weeks, but depends on how many candidates are in the group, as well as the learning capability of the individuals. Each course requires a commitment from candidates to undertake the training. Note: The club does not teach you how to swim. You need to be able to swim 400m in 9 minutes when you commence training. You may wish to join a local swim squad if you feel you need to increase or obtain your swim fitness.
Bronze Medallion
This nationally recognised award is the minimum requirement for a surf lifesaver. You must be over 15 years and complete a 400m swim in 9 minutes or less, in a pool of no less than 25m (or measured open water course). Once this competency is completed our instructors will train you to the level of a proficient lifesaver. All you need to do is have the commitment to training. At the completion of their training a candidate’s physical fitness is tested by a 200m run – 200m swim – 200m run to be completed in under eight minutes; a 400m pool swim to be completed in under nine minutes; simulated rescues using a rescue board and tube. All these skills combine with other important skills you will be taught, like surf awareness and survival, emergency care plus anatomy and physiology (first aid), resuscitation, carries etc., to train candidates to be an effective member of a patrol team tasked with providing a safe beach and aquatic environment.
Already a Lifesaver?
You may have gained a Surf Bronze Medallion (Certificate II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue)) at another Surf Life Saving Club and are eligible to recommence lifesaving. If so, speak to the Beach Captain. We’d love to have you involved!