SURF LIFE SAVING
No matter your motivation for becoming a life saver, the journey to proudly wearing the red and yellow on your local beach is a deeply satisfying and rewarding one. Aside from the life-changing benefits of health, fitness, friendship, competition, knowledge, leadership, confidence and giving back to the community; in becoming a life saver you will also gain nationally recognised certifications, become confident as a first responder in any facet of life, and become an integral part of one of the most highly regarded volunteer communities in the world.
From nippers (children) to lifetime members, there is activity, community and opportunity for everyone
in Surf Life Saving, no matter their current level of ability in the ocean.
Our 23/24 Season
Volunteer Life Savers patrol North Bondi from the end of September to the end of April every year in an attempt to prevent drownings and other difficulties members of the public may have in the water and on the beach.
Awards & Certifications
in Surf Life Saving
- Surf Rescue Certificate - 13 years
- Bronze Medallion - 15+ years
- First Aid / Advanced First Aid
- Advanced Resuscitation Techniques
- IRB Crewperson's Certificate
- ATV Operator
- Silver Medallion: IRB Driver
- Silver Medallion: Beach Management
- Silver Medallion: Aquatic Rescue
- Gold Medallion: advanced Life Saving
North Bondi Surf Club
Life Saving Objectives
- To provide a safe beach and surf zone - zero preventable deaths
- To provide highly functional and skilled patrols
- To represent ourselves in a positive light to the beach-going public
- To work cooperatively with Council Lifeguards and other relevant authorities
- To be good ambassadors for Surf Life Saving
- To foster volunteerism and community service
BECOME A MEMBER LIFE SAVER SKILLED VOLUNTEER VALUED PART
BRONZE MEDALLION
To become a qualified life saver you must be over the age of 15 and complete the nationally recognised SLSA certificate commonly known as your Bronze Medallion. Through completion of the course you will learn and show proficiency in surf awareness, survival, patrol, radio communications and rescue procedures, as well as emergency care.
The 8-week, Certificate II in Public Safety and Aquatic Rescue course will equip you to be a confident first responder in any emergency situation by equipping and assessing your proficiency in:
- Beach Awareness
- Surf Awareness & Fitness to Rescue
- First Aid
- Advanced First Aid
- Communication & People Management
- Basic Spinal Management
- Radio Communications
- Defribillator Use
- Water Rescues
- Patrol Operations
As active Bronze Medallion surf club members, volunteer life savers patrol the beach during weekends and public holidays from mid September to mid April each year, completing approximately 35-40 hours of rostered patrolling across the season.
To take part in the Bronze Medallion/Certificate II course you must be a minimum of 15 years of age, and have the ability to swim 400 metres in a time of 9 minutes or less.
Junior life savers, affectionately known as “Nippers” begin their journey toward life saving from as young as 5 years of age.
Children aged 5 to 14 years join their senior life saving counterparts on the exciting and fun-filled journey to surf awareness, ocean confidence, and community spirit in the North Bondi Surf Club family.
The Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC) introduces children 13 years and up to the pathways to life saving, and prepares them to be contributing patrol members on the beach. SRC holders are an active and important part of North Bondi’s patrolling members who perform preventions and rescues on patrol, just like the Bronze Medallion life savers do. As children, they do not yet participate in active CPR, or carry standard patrol loads, but their involvement and contribution to the club patrolling community at North Bondi Surf Club helps to prepare them for their Bronze Medallion life saving future.
*Note: Nippers and SRC are not considered prerequisites to becoming an active life saver, but it is common for children who join as Nippers to continue through to life saving as adults.
Whilst Associate Members do not participate in patrol activities or compete in surf sports for the club, there are many other benefits and ways to support and belong to this life saving community:
- Access to the Club and its facilities
- Participation in social events and functions
- Volunteering for associate-level support roles at community events hosted by the Club
Note: the club is not currently accepting applications for Associate membership.
Current Bronze Medallion or SRC award holders can request to transfer their membership to North Bondi Surf Club. As a first step, prospective members will need to complete the Transfer Request Form.
Your application will be reviewed by the club, who will then be in touch to advise you of the outcome and/or next steps. Please ensure you upload a copy of your Awards Transcript (downloadable from your SLSA Members Portal) with your application.
BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP
– Access to club facilities
– Use of club-owned equipment
– Club and Surf Life Saving competition
– Insurance cover for all approved surf life saving and club training activities
– Skills training and coaching
– Belonging to a fun, inspiring, and ocean-loving family for life
