Surf life saving has something for everyone, regardless of whether you are a strong swimmer or not. Below are brief descriptions of some of the more common roles within surf life saving. If you are interested in any of these speak to someone at your local club and ask them how to get involved.

 

The Surf Rescue Certificate and Bronze Medallion (including the Certificate II in Public Safety) are the two entry level awards for someone who wishes to become a fully qualified patrolling lifesaver and/or water safety officer. These awards require an individual to have a reasonable swimming ability as holders of these awards may be required to rescue individuals in the sea. These awards provide a range of skills including surf awareness, rescue skills, first aid and resuscitation.

 

Award Lifesaver
For those members who are not strong swimmers but who still want to patrol the beach, are able to complete lifesaving awards which do not include a swimming component. Such awards include First Aid, Resuscitation and Radio awards. Members who hold these awards are still able to patrol the beach by providing specific skills.

 

Trainers are required to complete a trainer’s course and they need to hold the award that they are training. For example, if you wish to train the First Aid certificate, you must hold the First Aid Certificate yourself.

 

Assessors are the people responsible for assessing that people have completed the requirement for surf life saving awards. To become an assessor, you are required to complete an assessor’s course and they need to hold the award that they are assessing.

Members who wish to extend their skills in training and assessing may wish to do a full Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAA40104).

 

Coaches provide an important role in developing and improving the skills of members in surf sports. Coaches may choose to specialise in one discipline (e.g. beach sprinting) or choose to coach in a number of disciplines. Coaching accreditation comes in three levels (Level 1, Level 2, Level 3). Level 1 coach’s accreditation is the level most suited to new coaches at club level.

 

Officials are those people responsible for the conduct of surf sport events. There are a range of different roles undertaken by officials including referees, starters, judges, recorders, marshals, etc across all of the surf sports disciplines. Again, Officials accreditation comes in three levels (Level 1, Level 2, Level 3). New officials will need to complete a Level 1 Officials accreditation.

 

Age Managers have one of the most important roles in surf life saving. They are responsible for caring for and nurturing the future Australian surf lifesavers. Their role is to both help develop our young people into the lifesavers of the future and to provide that supportive environment in which they can learn and develop.

 

As with all volunteer clubs, strong administration is important in ensuring that the club operates effectively. If you are interested in the administration of the club, there are a range of different roles that you may be able to get involved with. These might include some specific roles for junior activities such as an Age Managers coordinator or the Junior Activities chairperson. You may also like to play a responsibility specific role such as a treasurer or secretary. One day, you may like to become the club president.