Surf Life Saving (SLS) exists to save lives, create great Australians and build better communities. It is a unique not-for-profit cause that exists through donations, fundraising, corporate sponsorship and government grants. Since Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) was established in 1907, over 650,000 people have been rescued by our surf lifesavers[1]
SLSA is Australia’s peak coastal water safety, drowning prevention and rescue authority. With over 170,000 members and 314 affiliated surf lifesaving clubs[2], SLSA represents the largest volunteer movement of its kind in the world.
Our history
A brief history of surf bathing, lifeguarding and surf lifesaving in Australia
18 July 1818
A Sydney newspaper (Sydney Gazette) records the first surf drowning in Australia, at Bondi Beach.
Late 1800s
Some basic lifesaving and rescue assistance are provided by surf brigades and councils.
Early 1900s
Daylight bathing bans (introduced in the mid- to late-1800s) are lifted and the earliest surf lifesaving clubs were formed in Sydney.
1906–07
Manly Council employs a lifeguard, Edward ‘Happy’ Eyre, who dons a water polo cap to identify himself on the beach when on duty. The idea was adopted by surf lifesaving clubs for competition and patrols.
18 October 1907
The Surf Bathing Association of NSW (SBANSW) is formed by a group of surf lifesaving clubs, swimming clubs and the Royal Life Saving Society. The association regulated and promoted matters relative to surf bathing and was the precursor to the organisation known today as Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA).
1907
Reel, line and belt lifesaving equipment is introduced in Australia.
1910
The first SLSA Bronze Medallions are awarded to five men from Sydney clubs. The Bronze Medallion becomes the basic qualification required to perform surf rescues.
20 March 1915
The first Australian Surf Lifesaving Championships are held on Bondi Beach. This is now an annual event.
Mid-1930s
The red and yellow colours are adopted from the maritime warning flag system for patrol caps (the diagonal red and yellow flag is the international maritime warning flag for ‘man overboard’).
1935
Red and yellow beach flags are introduced, replacing the earlier colours of blue and white.
6 February 1938 (‘Black Sunday’)
Hundreds of swimmers are swept into the water at Bondi Beach. Roughly 250 were rescued, making this the biggest mass rescue in SLSA history. Sadly, five men died.
1939–45 (World War II)
Active surf lifesavers on military service overseas set up patrols on beaches in the Middle East and the Pacific, undertaking training sessions and instructing locals in surf rescue techniques. Back in Australia, women and schoolboys play an important role in ensuring that surf lifesaving clubs continued to operate.
1956
The Surf Life Saving Association of Australia joins with those of Ceylon, Great Britain, Hawaii, New Zealand, South Africa and the USA to establish the International Council of Surf Life Saving (ICSLS).
Mid-1960s
Nippers programs are developed to provide surf skills training for children (boys only until females are admitted as members by SLSA in 1980).
1970
The use of stinger suits is introduced to Northern Australia.
1970s
Inflatable rescue boats (IRBs) are introduced for surf rescue work
1971
A meeting takes place in Sydney at which all affiliates to the ICSLS join to form a new, fully constituted organisation called World Life Saving (WLS).
1973
First use of oxygen equipment on patrol.
1980
Females are admitted as full patrolling members of surf lifesaving clubs for the first time. Today, almost 40 per cent of patrolling lifesavers are female.
1993
WLS and the Fédération Internationale de Sauvetage Aquatique (FIS) unite to become the International Life Saving Federation (ILS), with their headquarters in Leuven, Belgium.
1997
First successful use of a defibrillator by a volunteer surf lifesaver.
2007
Centenary of surf lifesaving; designated the ‘Year of the Surf Lifesaver’.
2015
The Australian Surf Life Saving Championships celebrates its 100th anniversary of the first-ever staging of The Aussies in April.
2017
First ever drone-assisted rescue in the world.