Surf Life Saving NSW

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Belrose, NSW
Surf Life Saving NSW

To save lives, create great Australians and build better communities. www.surflifesaving.com.au

As the state's peak water safety and rescue organisation, our mission is simple and hasn’t changed in over 100 years; saving lives, creating great Australians and building better communities.

24/11/2025

// One week closer to what will be a huge summer season for our lifesavers! Volunteers remained vigilant this weekend, undertaking over 3,500 actions to prevent the possibility of a rescue or incident.

🏊 28 Rescues
⛑️ 74 First Aids
✋ 3,561 Preventions
👣 123,638 Beach Attendance

Plan your next beach visit at beachsafe.org

22/11/2025

// Watch as AI cameras help save two rock fishers lives earlier this month. New cameras, part of a 14-month trial at Little Bay in Sydney's south, detected two rock fishers had been swept from the rocks and into the water and alerted the Surf Life Saving NSW State Operations Centre of the incident. Jet skis were quickly deployed and the rock fishers were rescued from the water.

The new AI surveillance cameras are part of a 14-month trial currently underway, culminating in November 2026. The SAIL (Surveillance Al for Lifesaving) systems deployed at two high-risk coastal sites: Kiama Blowhole on the South Coast and Little Bay in Sydney's eastern suburbs are designed to extend lifesaving capability beyond the red and yellow patrol flags by identifying incidents at unpatrolled and high-risk locations, enhancing our ability to prevent tragedies and save lives.

How the cameras work:

- Cameras at coastal hazard sites capture continuous video feeds.

• Feeds are analysed by Al and accessible to the SLSNSW State Operations Centre

(SOC) operators to monitor and remotely control.

• When Al identifies an emergency event with high confidence, it alerts the SOC, where an operator can then validate the alert, assume control of the camera network, and task the most appropriate assets.

• Post-incident data is then used to refine both Al models and SOC workflows, ensuring continuous improvement.

21/11/2025

// This week we welcomed a group of young people from Mungindi, a remote community on the NSW–QLD border, for a hands-on beach safety experience in Sydney.

As part of a local initiative supporting school attendance and positive engagement, the group spent the morning at Queenscliff Surf Life Saving Club, learning vital coastal safety skills, trying out nipper activities, getting on the sand and into the surf, and exploring an IRB up close, all delivered by one of the club’s dedicated members.

We loved sharing our coastline with the group and helping build confidence around the ocean. Thanks to the Local Aboriginal Land Council and local Police for involving us in this great opportunity.

19/11/2025

// Rock fishing safety program wraps up with record participation 🎣🌊

We had high hopes for this year’s program, and boy did it delivered! Across 9 workshops, we reached 1,823 participants, doubling last program’s numbers, and distributed 1,300 lifejackets into communities to help keep participants safe on the rocks. Attendees represented 50+ culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and we worked with 40+ stakeholders, agencies, and multicultural organisations to make it happen.

Rock fishing is one of the most popular recreational activities in New South Wales but also one of the most dangerous. According to Surf Life Saving Australia’s Coastal Safety Brief – Fishing 2023, 70% of rock fishers who died were not wearing life jackets and 46% choose not to wear them, often prioritising conditions over safety.

This flagship project is tackling these risks by increasing awareness, promoting safer fishing practices, and encouraging life jacket use, particularly in high-risk communities.

A huge thank you to our community education team and presenters for sharing their knowledge and time, and to our councils, NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), and the NSW Government for supporting this vital program.

By equipping communities with skills and lifejackets we are helping reduce the tragic toll of rock fishing drownings, one life at a time.

19/11/2025

// A beautiful afternoon at NSW Parliament today as the Parliamentary Friends of Surf Life Saving NSW convened once again to share in the successes of our 83,000 members including these legends from Bondi surf club.

We are privileged to have such fantastic non-partisan support and it's always a true highlight of the year when we have everyone together to showcase everything our volunteers do on and off the beach, within their communities including responding to emergencies.

18/11/2025

// Congratulations to Michael Gudgeon and Michael Berti of Byron Bay Surf Life Saving Club who were presented with the St John’s Community Outstanding Clinical Care Award this past weekend in recognition of their exceptional efforts in saving a life last year.

Michael Gudgeon accepted the honour on behalf of the two men during a presentation at Macquarie University, with the Governor General, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley on hand to congratulate him.

In April 2024, both lifesavers responded to a critical incident at Belongil Beach, Byron Bay, where a 59-year-old New Zealand man suffered a medical emergency in the water. Acting swiftly, the pair commenced resuscitation efforts, providing advanced first aid and coordinated response alongside other emergency services.

Their professionalism and teamwork were instrumental in the successful resuscitation of the patient, who was later flown to the hospital in a stable condition.

It’s absolutely fantastic when our members are recognised for their dedication to keeping people safe along our coastlines. Well done to the two Michaels and everyone at Byron Bay surf club.

17/11/2025

// A huge weekend on the beach, with volunteer lifesavers performing the most rescues we’ve seen so far this season.

🏊 101 Rescues
⛑️ 89 First Aids
✋ 3,689 Preventions
👣 204,833 Beach Attendance

Plan your next beach visit at beachsafe.org

16/11/2025

// Our final stop: Kiama! 100 community members joined us for the last session of the Rock Fishing Safety Program 🎣

Together we covered lifejackets, rescue techniques, and the simple habits that keep families safe on the rocks.

A big thank you to everyone who supported our Community Education team this weekend and throughout the program!

14/11/2025

// That’s a wrap on Week 2! 🚗✨

Our volunteer lifesavers have just finished another huge week on the road, delivering Beach to Bush sessions across regional NSW and connecting even more young people with essential surf safety skills.

Across the New England and Hunter regions, the New England High Country, and the ACT surrounds and Snowy Valleys, lifesavers visited schools in Attunga, Tamworth, Bendemeer, Muswellbrook, Armidale, Inverell, Binalong, Red Hill, Batlow and more, reaching thousands of students who may have never met the red and yellow before.

From high country classrooms to snowy valley towns, our teams brought the beach inland and helped kids feel more confident around the water!

12/11/2025

// Last chance to register for the 2026 Red & Yellow Day Appeal!

Running from 3 March – 6 May, this nationwide campaign celebrates our surf lifesavers and the incredible volunteers who keep our beaches safe.

By registering, your club will receive its own fundraising page, access to peer-to-peer fundraising tools, and a full campaign toolkit packed with resources, templates, and tips to make participation easy and impactful.

Registrations close this Friday so don’t miss out! Sign up today and help make the very first Red & Yellow Day one to remember 👉 https://bit.ly/4oXCB18

11/11/2025

// Burwood was buzzing this weekend with the biggest turnout yet for the 8/9 Rock Fishing Safety Program! 🎣

Participants of all ages got hands-on with safety demos, rescue scenarios, and lifesaving tips. Locals loved the inclusive, fun, and informative sessions, learning skills to stay safe while fishing with family and friends.

One session to go before the 2025 program wraps up! Next stop: Kiama!

10/11/2025

// At the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month Surf Life Saving NSW observes one minute's silence for the anniversary of the Armistice of 1918, that ended fighting in World War I. We acknowledge those who died or suffered while serving in wars, conflicts and peace operations - lest we forget.

Address

3 Narabang Way
Belrose, NSW
2085

Telephone

+61294718000

Website

http://www.surflifesaving.com.au/

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