NSW Surf News - Fri 15 Aug 2014

Friday 15 August 2014 News Surf Life Saving Celebrates Its Finest Surf Life Saving NSW is getting set to celebrate the outstanding commitment and achievements of its lifesavers, volunteers and athletes at the 2014 Awards of Excellence proudly supported by Stramit Building Products. Bellingen Shire Council Renews Lifeguarding Contract With ALS The Australian Lifeguard Service (ALS) has successfully renewed its lifeguarding contract with Bellingen Shire Council for another two years with the option of five. 3 Waves: 129 Beaches 2013 Surf Lifesaver of the Year, Andy Cross, from South Narrabeen SLSC has embarked on an enormous feat in 2014, to visit and surf a minimum of 3 waves at every beach in NSW that has a Surf Life Saving Club.

Clubbie Profile July: Andy Cross

Our Clubbie Profile for July 2014 is Andy Cross from South Narrabeen SLSC, who has embarked on a journey to surf all of our 129 patrolled beaches.

SLSNSW Welcomes New Nippers Club

Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) has officially welcomed a new nippers club with the announcement of the Bawley Point Kioloa Community Nippers Club on the state’s south coast.

Surf Sports Legend Inducted Into Surfing Walk of Fame

Octogenarian surf lifesaver, Dennis Green OAM, has been inducted into the Australian Surfing Walk of Fame at Maroubra Beach.

Terrigal Dominates NSW Pool Rescue Championships

Terrigal SLSC has once again dominated the NSW Pool Rescue Championships over the weekend at Peninsula Leisure Centre, Woy Woy.

Events

Sat 16 Aug 2014 - Awards of Excellence

The Surf Life Saving NSW Awards of Excellence proudly presented by Stramit Building Products recognise the hard work, selflessness and enthusiasm of our volunteers. As we head into a new patrolling season, we look back on the past year and acknowledge the outstanding contribution our members make.

Sun 14 Sep 2014 - Soft Sand Shuffle

The Soft Sand Shuffle will be held on Sunday 14 September 2014 at North Steyne.

Sat 20 Sep 2014 - Gold Rush

Gold Coast’s new premier endurance event will test the best single discipline athletes as well as help those training for the years Coolangatta Gold.

Sun 21 Sep 2014 - Surf Club Open Day

This year’s Surf Club Open Day will be held on 21 September 2014. Surf clubs all over NSW will open their doors to visitors and new members of all ages.

Sat 4 Oct 2014 - Goldie Classic

The annual Goldie Classic will be held on 4 October 2014 at Redhead Beach.

Sat 25 Oct 2014 - North Cronulla SLSC Nippers 50th Anniversary

All members past and present are cordially invited to celebrate North Cronulla Nippers Junior Activities 50 year celebration.

Sat 1 Nov 2014 - Coolangatta Gold

Exclusive early bird discount is now available for the 2014 Coolangatta Gold.

Mon 10 Nov 2014 - 2014 Beach to Bush

Surf Life Saving NSW invites you to be a part of the 2014 Beach to Bush Program. The Beach to Bush program is a free 1 hour aquatic safety presentation held in rural NSW.

New Opportunities

Sydney Wet'N'Wild Nippers Coordinator

This is a great opportunity for a self-motivated individual with Surf Life Saving knowledge of Nippers programs, to coordinate our unique Sydney Wet ‘n’ Wild Nippers Program. You will have excellent communication skills to liaise effectively with participants, staff and volunteers and proven leadership skills coordinating similar programs.

Duty Operations Officer

We are currently seeking two professional individuals with a can do attitude and great communication skills. There is a sensational opportunity to provide operational and communication support to our State Operations Centre which is the central communication and coordination hub in NSW for lifesaving services.

Junior and Youth Development Officer

We are looking for an individual who has the passion and drive to assist with the implementation of strategies and activities designed to retain our young members. To be successful you must have strong consultation and negotiation skills and a previous successful experience in program delivery.

Membership Development Officer

We are looking for an individual who has the passion and drive to assist with the implementation of strategies and activities designed to engage and retain our members. The ability to deliver successful programs or projects and build and maintain strong relationships is essential for this role.

Volunteer SurfCom Operator

Do you have a voice for radio? Now is your chance to be a part of the Surf Emergency Response system linking SLS to NSW Emergency Services and Government agencies.

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History

Undoubtedly, surf lifesaving is written into Australia's history. From its fledgling beginnings as various Sydney Life Saving Clubs and brigades in the 1870s, surf lifesaving now has more than 160,000 members in more than 300 clubs around Australia.

In New South Wales, over 75,000 members at 129 clubs protect 1,590 kilometres of coastline from Fingal Beach in the north to Pambula Beach in the south.

The origins of Surf Life Saving New South Wales, and indeed Australia, can be traced back to the actions of Mr William Gocher at Manly Beach in September 1902, defying the law of the time by bathing during prohibited hours (daylight). His and similar actions by other people forced the recognition of daylight bathing and the pastime of surfing became part of our national culture.

As surf bathing grew in popularity, its dangers just as rapidly became apparent. Small groups of experienced and regular surfers began to form themselves into lifesaving bodies to assist those who required to be rescued from an unfamiliar environment.

As these clubs grew in size and numbers, the need for a united front to raise funds and seek assistance from local and state government resulted in the New South Wales Surf Bathing Association being formed on 18 October 1907.

However Surf Life Saving has had to broaden its charter beyond the realms of water safety. As Australia has identified and actively promoted its beaches and coastline as one of its most valuable assets to domestic and overseas tourists, the modern day surf lifesaver has had to develop into a public relations officer, a resource for beachgoer information, an ambassador promoting our beach culture and the custodian of our seaside playgrounds and their safety.

To keep our beaches safe, surf lifesavers patrol beaches from September to April. Each year surf lifesavers spend in excess of 500,000 voluntary hours patrolling most of the accessible beaches along the New South Wales coastline.

Since recording began in 1949, Surf Life Saving New South Wales has saved more than 345,000 lives. Surf Life Saving New South Wales makes an invaluable contribution to the community by providing safe and enjoyable destinations for all beach visitors.

It is thanks to the dedication and professionalism of these fine volunteers that New South Wales beaches are amongst the safest in the world.

Hence, Surf Life Saving's motto, which has not changed since its inception in 1907, is still as relevant today as it was at the time of the Association's formation – ‘Vigilance and Service’.

Buy the history book 100 Years of Surf Life Saving in NSW - Evolution of an Icon