Surf Life Saving Australia
 |
|
| Abbreviation | SLSA |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Surf Bathing Association of New South Wales |
| Formation | 18 October 1907 |
| Headquarters | Rosebery, Sydney, NSW |
|
Region served
|
Australia |
|
Membership
|
166,923 (2013) |
|
President
|
Graham Ford |
|
Key people
|
Greg Nance (CEO) |
| Subsidiaries | Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service |
| Affiliations | International Life Saving Federation |
|
Budget
|
A$19.794 million (2012) |
|
Staff
|
47 (2012) |
| Slogan | Australian for life |
| Website | sls |
|
Formerly called
|
Surf Life Saving Association of Australia |
Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) is an Australian not-for-profit community organisation that promotes water safety and provides surf rescue services.
SLSA strives to create a safe environment on Australia's beaches and coastline through patrols, education and training, public safety campaigns and the promotion of health and fitness. As of 30 June 2013[update] the organisation had 166,923 members with 311 affiliated surf life saving clubs, making it reputably the largest volunteer movement of its kind in Australia. The majority of its services are provided by volunteer lifeguards, called surf lifesavers, that provided 1.4 million hours of service, rescued 11,533 people, and provided 64,645 first aid treatments during 2013. In 1973, the organisation established the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service that, during 2013, delivered 1,300 rescue missions via helicopter.
Surf Life Saving Australia also operates Australia's largest lifeguard service, contracting to local government and other coastal land managers. Additional income is sourced through community donations, fundraising and corporate sponsorship. SLSA is a foundation member of the International Life Saving Federation (ILS) and plays a vital leadership role in developing lifesaving, beach safety and drowning prevention standards around the world. SLSA is an active part of Australian local communities. It is an organisation which prides itself on offering mateship, education, experience and in doing so gives back to the community.
In 1902 it was against the law to enter the ocean during daylight hours in Australia . A Sydney newspaper editor William Gocher announced his challenge of this law at Manly Beach. Eventually as more people began to challenge the law it was reversed but inexperienced swimmers were having problems with unusual surf conditions such as rip currents and the number of drownings increased. Groups of volunteers began to patrol the beach to assist and in 1906 the Bondi Beach Surf Bathing Association was formed. The Surf Bathing Association of New South Wales was formed on 18 October 1907 when nine voluntary surf life saving clubs and representatives of the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) met and affiliated to represent the interests of surf lifesavers. In attendance were:"Royal Life Saving Society, Manly Surf Club (this a different organisation to the Manly Life Saving Club which was formed in 1911), Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club, Coogee Surf Life Brigade, Bronte Surf Brigade, Bondi Surf and Social Club (North Bondi SLSC), Tamarama Surf Club (only lasted a few weeks/months and then collapsed), Maroubra Surf Club, United Wanderers Surf Club and Woollahra Surf Club." The meeting resolved:
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Wikipedia