Life Saving Victoria

Over 500 lifesaving volunteers, members, and aquatic leaders gathered on Saturday night at the Sofitel Melbourne to celebrate the achievements of life saving advocates across Victoria at the Life Saving Victoria Awards of Excellence 2024. 🏆

The LSV Awards of Excellence pays tribute to the exceptional contributions of volunteer lifesavers and professionals in the aquatic industry, commemorating the unwavering commitment to water safety in our people.

Mentone Lifesaving Club, the recipient of the Club of the Year award, has demonstrated remarkable growth and success in launching their new multi-purpose facility enhancing the lifesaving experience.

Partnering with local groups, such as the Port Phillip Eco Centre to conduct snorkelling programs, the club has seen membership and volunteer services and they proudly champion their younger members, establishing their first Junior Committee.

This summer, lifesavers faced a devastating season not seen in 20 years.

Members at Woolamai Beach SLSC who performed an extensive rescue at Forrest Caves were acknowledged for their tireless efforts to rescue four swimmers who lost their lives, unaware of the dangers of the water conditions.

Woolamai Surf Life Saving Club was awarded Rescue of the Year, recognising the difficult search and rescue task that lay before them that day.

Congratulations to all the recipients and nominees. We appreciate your dedication to empowering your communities to enjoy water safely.

For all the winners, check the comments 👇

Remote Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS) are a new era of technology in search and rescue.

RPAS - typically known as drones - have significantly elevated beach safety by providing lifesavers with a birds-eye view of the coastline. The RPAS service offers crucial support for our lifesaving clubs' beach patrols while also expanding our operations in search and rescue, major disasters, and lifesaving aquatic events.

➡ Join the team! If you have an interest in joining RPAS technology and would love to know more, drop us an email at [email protected]

Today is International Lifeguard Appreciation Day.

Lifeguards are the heroes of our beaches, rivers, lakes, water parks, and swimming pools, watching over us, and proactively preventing accidents and supporting safety and fun.

Lifeguards play a crucial role in accident prevention by completing preventative actions, understanding safety rules, monitoring conditions, and providing response to emergencies. Their skills include rescuing swimmers in distress, performing CPR, and managing potential hazards to ensure the safety of all visitors.

Drowning is one of the leading causes of unintentional injury and death worldwide and a leading cause of death for children, so it is hard to overestimate the importance of lifeguards who contribute significantly to drowning prevention.

Our heartfelt thanks go out to all the lifeguards who work tirelessly to keep us safe every day. Your dedication does not go unnoticed.

If you know a lifeguard, make sure you show your appreciation today!

The competition was fierce, and the 2024 Pool Lifeguard Challenge victory goes to Glen Eira Leisure who delivered their third win in the event, followed by Maroondah Leisure Aquatics and Fitness in second and WynActive - Werribee Outdoor Pool in third.

21 teams of pool lifeguards from across Victoria competed on Thursday at the 2024 LifeTec Victorian Professional Pool Lifeguard Challenge at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.

The challenge was an opportunity for pool lifeguards to demonstrate their capabilities in rigorous competitive events that will test their lifeguarding knowledge, crowd control, and conflict management skills.

The event aims to enhance teamwork, sharpen skills, and support our pool lifeguards in being rescue-ready in their vital role in keeping our community safe.

Victorian pools are some of the safest facilities in Australia and these events are vital for pool lifeguards and facilities to work on their critical incident response and keep our excellent safety record.

Thanks to our sponsors Blue Dinosaur and ProCom for their support.

Melbourne Sports Centres

We’ve teamed up with the City of Melbourne to light up in blue tonight to mark the inaugural World Drowning Prevention Day today, alongside major landmarks across the globe.

World Drowning Prevention Day was established following the United Nations’ historic first resolution on global drowning prevention in 2021, as way to raise awareness of the enormous human toll of drowning and bring about life-saving solutions for what is a largely preventable cause of death and injury.

Anyone can drown, nobody should.

Thanks to Melbourne City Baths and Active Melbourne and MSAC who hosted events today and got behind this important cause.

💧 Today is World Drowning Prevention Day.

It's a day of reflection on those impacted by and lost to drowning, and how we can prevent these events from happening again.

In respect of the 54 people who lost their lives to drowning this year, Melbourne landmarks will light up in blue.

Last summer, our lifesavers, Westpac Helicopter Rescue Crew and professional lifeguards filled over 250,000 patrol hours across our beaches.

And throughout the year, we’ve provided public training to 22,000 people, including new lifeguards and swim teachers, and delivered swimming and water safety programs to over 4,000 young people in rural and remote communities. It's a small portion of the work we do in drowning prevention.

As we embark on another summer in Victoria, we're already working hard to build safer waterways, pools and beaches.

In recent months, Federal funding through the Surf Life Saving Australia Beach Drowning Blackspot Reduction Program supported installation of an interactive water safety sign at the Lorne Visitor Information Centre.

Our biggest-ever Inland Waterways Forum (IWF) held in Bendigo, led the way to increased community engagement and planning commitments from local councils.

Our Lifesaving Education Programs (LEP) delivered the most ambitious schedule for regional Victorian schools to date to increase our focus on regional water safety capabilities.

Despite our work in drowning prevention, there is still plenty more to do. We extend our condolences to anyone impacted by drowning, whose lives have been forever changed.

Our frontline workers, aquatic industry and education programs aim to continue this work to decrease drowning rates while increasing every Victoria resident's capability but there is something you can do too. Learn to swim, always check the conditions of local beaches and waterways, swim between the flags and know your limits

The City of Melbourne, Melbourne City Baths will be incorporating water safety activities for the kids this afternoon between 4pm and 6pm so head down or check the comments to read more about how we’re actively working to prevent drowning in Victoria.

Australia is widely recognised as an international leader in surf lifesaving. We have partnerships with countries worldwide to provide advice and support that could build the capability of lifesavers and clubs.

The Japan Exchange Program, a significant initiative between Surf Life Saving Australia and the Japan Lifesaving Association is designed to broaden the horizons of participants. It not only enhances local safety management but also plays a crucial role in preventing drowning on Japanese beaches, making your participation invaluable.

Lifesavers from Waratah Beach SLSC, Port Campbell Surf Life Saving Club, and Apollo Bay SLSC have joined their WA, SA, and QLD counterparts in Japan until mid-August as part of two programs to assist with educating Japanese junior high school students on basic water safety and survival or to join patrol activities at local surf lifesaving clubs in the Izu Peninsula.

📸 Courtesy of SLSA

Victorian lifesavers did their clubs and their state proud this weekend, coming in second overall at the Sharkskin Australian and Interstate Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) Championships on the Gold Coast. 🥈

Competing in teams made up of members from multiple clubs, Victoria won the Open Female Tube Rescue, the Open Female Teams Rescue, the Open Female Mass Rescue and the Open Mixed Relay. 🏆

It was an incredible effort by all Victorian clubs to take part, with competitors driving more than 1,500km to get their boats and themselves to the start line.

Inflatable Rescue Boats (IRB) are a key part of our lifesaving clubs’ rescue capability that keeps our community safe in the water.

The Australian championships are an opportunity for our volunteer lifesavers to showcase their impressive capabilities with this small and fast watercraft and keep rescue-ready for the summer volunteer patrol season.

Congratulations to all the clubs who competed! 💦

This weekend we head into our second Senior Pool Carnival for the year.

Black Rock Life Saving Club are vying for a first place this time around so head to Broadmeadows Aquatic and Leisure Centre on Sunday for all the action. 🏊‍♀️

Good luck, everyone!

The Victorian Professional Pool Lifeguard Challenge is back, and Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre (GESAC) are ready to defend their crown! 👑

Next week, lifeguard teams from 21 aquatic facilities from all around Victoria will vie for the accolade of LSV Pool Lifeguard Challenge champion as they compete at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.

The LSV Pool Lifeguard Challenge aims to test lifeguard skills, promoting proficiency and readiness through rigorous, realistic scenarios, supported by members of Victoria’s Emergency Services, volunteer actors, and LSV’s Lifeguard Trainers and Assessors.

Member of the 2024 winning team at GESAC Samara Keifer, is excited to return for the highlight of her year.

“It is great to see so many of our lifeguards step up and become skilled in their roles,” she said.

“A highlight of my time at Glen Eira Leisure is being involved in the LSV Lifeguard Challenge. Last year I was proud to see our Carnegie Swimming Pool team compete at the LSV Lifeguard Challenge. As a junior team, all of them grew exponentially in both skills and confidence.’

Growing up in the salty air of Bayside Melbourne as a member of Half Moon Bay SLSC, it is no wonder that Samara found her way into a career in the aquatic industry.

Samara is now studying Sports Management part-time while working full-time as an Operations Team Leader at Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre (GESAC), and next week she hopes their team will take out the Pool Lifeguards Challenge for the third time!

GESAC Georgie Wark said winning the LSV Lifeguard Challenge was an incredible achievement for their team,

'Participating in the Lifeguard Challenge fostered a sense of camaraderie and teamwork. It validated the hard work and dedication we put into our training programs. The victory showcased our teamwork, determination, and technical skills. Additionally, it boosted the morale of our lifeguard team, instilling a sense of pride and achievement."

The Life Saving Victoria Lifeguard Challenge kicks off at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre 25 July 2024. 💦

Tomorrow, the 2024 Sharkskin IRB Championships kick off at Miami Beach on the Gold Coast, and our Victorian IRB State team are ready to win! 🏆

Otherwise known as the IRB Aussies, the best surf rescue lifesavers will battle it out to be the best in Australia.

Inflatable Rescue Boats (IRBs) are rubber boats designed to deploy quickly and enable the rescue and retrieval of swimmers in trouble. Competing in IRB competitions helps lifesavers polish their skills in the winter months.

Venus Bay Surf Life Saving Club Club Captain Alice Webb has been racing IRBs since 2021. She fell in love with the sport, and this year will be her second time representing Victoria. This year, she hopes to bring home gold! 🥇

Good luck to everyone competing! 🤞

Well done, Braxton! 👏👏👏

Check out this incredible fundraising effort by Torquay SLSC member, Braxton Smith

🏄 12-year-old Braxton's year-long surf challenge has raised more than $3,000 for the Torquay SLSC. Learn how you can support him 👉 bit.ly/3S8fcvL

We are saddened to share the news of the passing of Jim Burrowes OAM, a treasured life member of Life Saving Victoria.

Jim's unwavering dedication and passion to lifesaving have left a lasting mark on our community. As we grieve this loss, we also celebrate the incredible legacy Jim leaves behind.

Our thoughts are with Jim’s family and his spirit will continue to guide and inspire us. He will be missed but never forgotten. 🌊❤️

We're on a mission to educate our community about water safety and build the confidence of people learning to swim. 🏊‍♀️

Lisa, Huy, and Zarli are instructors in our Education team. They are making a real difference in the lives of many, and you can, too.

Lisa was blessed to be a stay-at-home mum to three active boys. When her boys were old enough to start their tertiary schooling and careers, Lisa searched for an opportunity to work around her small business.

Huy is studying for a Bachelor of Criminology and Psychological Science while working at local swim centres during winter.

Zarli spends her summer holidays in Cobram, visiting her parents in between studying for a Bachelor of Media and Communications.

The flexibility of the role, the opportunity to learn new skills and teach people of all ages how to be safe in and around the water, made this the perfect role. For Lisa, it gave her the confidence to take up the challenge.

"Every shift is a team-building exercise. And you are at the beach! Confidence, public speaking, adaptability, teamwork, organisational skills, flexibility, leadership. The list goes on. The friendships are the cherry on top."

The job was perfect for Huy because it fit his university hours, and he could see that it made a lasting difference in people's lives.

Zarli can go home for the summer with a source of income, educate the people of her hometown on the Murray River, and build further employment opportunities that align with her university degree.

It doesn't matter if you are a student, empty nester, or retiree; the flexibility of Education Instructors fits any lifestyle.

If you’re looking for a flexible opportunity to teach and beach, check the comments for more details.

kicks off today across Australia, celebrating the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It’s a time for all Australians to learn about and honour the oldest continuous living cultures on Earth.

This year's theme, "Blak, Loud and Proud," celebrates the unyielding spirit of our communities and amplifies voices that have long been silenced.

This week, Life Saving Victoria celebrates incredible stories from First Nations people about their deep connection to water and the richness of their cultures and communities.

LSV also celebrate the resilience, survival, wisdom, and profound connection to water and land that defines Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Join us in acknowledging their long-standing lifesaving skills and contributions.

This weekend kicks of the Senior Pool Carnival competition at Caulfield Aquatics. 🏊‍♀️

It’s a big weekend for Seaspray SLSC member MacKenzie Gibbs who moves into the Senior competition for the first time. It’s a big milestone for MacKenzie and all the competitors excited to compete.

Good luck everyone! 🤞

Last night we presented McKenzie Gibbs with her Seaspray Competition Jacket.
Well deserved McKenzie for your commitment and enthusiasm for Lifesaving Pool Swimming.
McKenzie Competition season commences this weekend, we wish all the best as she moves into Senior Competition. ❤🤎🤍

The Silver Salties program has become a beloved cornerstone at the Sandringham Life Saving Club, significantly boosting the confidence and wellbeing of our senior swimmers. 🏊‍♀️

Tailored for those aged 65 and over, it’s all about staying active and forging new friendships. The program's phenomenal success in Sandringham was recognised with the prestigious Life Saving Victoria Janet Jones OAM Inclusion Award at the 2023 Awards of Excellence, celebrating its unique approach to nurturing health among older adults. 🏆

Participants join a variety of activities like swimming 🏊‍♀️, yoga 🧘‍♀️ and tai chi, each session designed to enhance fitness, flexibility, and mental health. These activities do wonders for cardiovascular health, muscle strength, balance, and coordination, while also reducing stress and lifting spirits. Beyond just physical benefits, the program creates a vibrant sense of community and belonging, helping to alleviate the loneliness often felt by seniors.

Kirsty's story is a shining example of the program's impact. 🧡

In 2023, she sought relief for her aching back and discovered the Silver Salties Yoga program through a local yoga instructor. What started with curiosity quickly turned into a joyful routine of exercise and open swims. "I had found my tribe," Kirsty beamed, rekindling her love for ocean swimming after 52 years. With newfound confidence, she even signed up for Surf Rescue training, now passionately supporting others in learning water safety.

If you think the Silver Salties might be the perfect fit for you, check your local lifesaving club offers the program.

📸 Kirsty Batchelor supports the education and skills of others who are learning to swim while enjoying the Silver Salties program.

The lifesavers in the sky are recruiting! 🚁

You know you're in good hands when you're at the beach, and you see the red and yellow icon in the sky - The Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service (WLRHS).

You may not know that a dedicated team of volunteers services the Westpac chopper, and we're looking for the next Rescue Crew members to join the team!

Here’s what the team had to say about the unique experience they have as a Rescue Crew member.

Rachael, Williamstown Swimming & Life Saving Club Inc

Rachael is an Ambulance Victoria paramedic, and a qualified Rescue Crew member since 2021.

"My motivation to be part of the helicopter service and helping the community comes from the other crew members I work with and the lifesavers I patrol with. In both these areas of lifesaving, I have seen first-hand how much has been accomplished and how vital the lifesaving service we provide to the community is.”

Dan, Half Moon Bay SLSC

Dan joined the helicopter service in 2022 after a long involvement in lifesaving.

Filling various senior roles with his club Half Moon Bay SLSC and LSV, Dan works full-time in the Risk and Safety team at Melbourne Racing Club but hopes to become a firefighter one day.

"Joining the helicopter service has been instrumental in helping me build skills for handling high-stress and complex situations, working in small teams, collaborating with other agencies, and responding to callouts.”

Sas, Portsea Surf Life Saving Club

As the Lifesaving Director at Portsea SLSC, Sas also works full-time as a Site Engineer for Level Crossing Removal projects in Melbourne.

"I love patrolling and learning new skills in the water and on land. What motivates me the most is seeing the younger generation learning the skills you teach them, challenging themselves, and becoming better than I ever was."

Join us! Details below 👇

Lifesaving sport is a crucial part of our fitness as lifesavers. Our mission to be rescue-ready is an on-going goal that we are consistently striving for so we can keep you safe in the water right across the year.

While in winter our junior and senior athletes compete in the pool or freeze their way through Antarctic temperatures on the Inflatable Rescue Boats at beaches across the coast, we’re already planning for next Summer.

Last summer, Anglesea SLSC came out on top as the Senior Lifesaving champions while Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club were crowned leaders in the Junior events for Victoria - but can they do it again?

Our summer sport calendar just dropped so if you’re a lifesaving sport tragic get the full calendar below.

This weekend, the best junior pool athletes will gather at Geelong Grammar School for the Victorian Junior Pool Lifesaving Championships.🥇

It's an exciting time for Liam Hayden of the Mentone Lifesaving Club, who will be competing alongside sixteen of his club teammates. 🏊‍♂️

Liam first discovered pool lifesaving last year after witnessing Mentone athletes training at their regular Monday evening pool session and asked if he could "give it a go".

Competing in his first event at last year's junior pool carnivals, he was the only competitor from the club in the U8 events.

"I really enjoyed being part of the Mentone team and learning about all the events from the other competitors," says Liam. "My favourites are the line throw and the obstacle race."

Back on the beach at Mentone, Liam told his fellow U9 Nippers all about pool lifesaving, and when this year's pool training returned, his Mentone members joined him.

At last month's junior pool carnivals, no one was more excited to be in the pool with his U9 teammates than Liam.

"It's been so much fun also doing pool with my mates from Mentone," Liam said.

"I can't wait for junior pool states to see how we do. I think the Mentone team is improving with every carnival."

Adam Liddell, Mentone's pool lifesaving development coach, says it's been exciting to see the sport's growth at the club and how Liam's enthusiasm about it has rubbed off on his age group, in particular.

"We're so proud of Liam's incredible progress and that of our junior pool team. These young athletes have shown immense dedication and enthusiasm, and we look forward to seeing their future contributions not only in the pool but also in lifesaving in general," he said.

Good luck to Liam and everyone competing this weekend! 🤞

✍️ Writing credit: Mentone LSC member
📸 Photo credit: Alan Moyle from Photobat 🏊‍♂️

We're lifesavers, we swim for Winter Solstice ❄

That's right. The Winter Solstice is on our doorstep and call us crazy but many of our clubs love to celebrate the shortest day and longest night of the year with an ice-cold dip. 😲

Check out your local lifesaving club for details of events. From Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club to Frankston Life Saving Club Inc., and a few in-between, there's plenty of polar plunging to be had if you're up for it.

📸 Sandringham Life Saving Club 2023 Winter Solstice Social

The Mount Martha Life Saving Club had a problem. They saw their club kids absorbed in screen time due to COVID and wanted to change that. Enter the Surf Craft Artist and Appreciation Crew (SAAC). 🏄‍♀️

Led by dedicated club volunteer lifesaver Steve Hofer, the project's goal was to breathe new life into old and damaged surfboards and transform them into competitive-ready pieces of art, bringing the kids back to the present.

So, they rolled their sleeves up and got started! 🔨

The club’s parents worked with the youth members to teach and learn the intricacies of board design, teamwork, and craftsmanship, all while forging stronger connections within the club and beyond.

Pretty soon, it wasn't just the youth members carving up a ride. The more senior club members got on board to stay connected over the winter period when it can be a quiet time for clubbies.

Soon, more than 45 adult members learnt to strip, repair, and refinish the board to 'as new' condition.

The program has been an enormous success. In a period when the Gen Z generation often face a saturation of technology and are recording higher levels of depression and anxiety, Mount Martha members have a purpose that fosters social connection, creativity, and social contribution and supports the well-being of their members.

The next exciting phase of the project will focus on repairing the club's general-use equipment, nipper boards, mals (large boards), skis, and potentially even Inflatable Rescue Boat equipment.

For more about the project and to find out how to donate your old surf craft, details in the comments.

The TRE Motorsport Pty Ltd Victorian Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) State Championship is HERE! 🔥🔥🔥

Head down to Lorne Surf Life Saving Club this weekend to witness the best in Victoria battle it out with skill and physical ability.

It’s pretty amazing to watch these athletes skillfully manage rescue boats in often hectic surf, so grab a coffee ☕and check it out or watch it live from the link below.

Good luck to all the teams competing 🤞

Good luck to our IRB team competing this weekend at the TRE Victorian IRB Championships at Lorne this weekend.

Go Team 🟡🔵🟡👏👏

Tune in from midday on Sunday for the finals

https://facebook.com/events/s/live-stream-2024-victorian-irb/445042934979928/

Thank you Michael Schofield for the photo 🙂

Today, we recognise and honour the brave first responders who dedicate their lives to ensuring our safety and well-being.

is a testament to the incredible efforts of first responders and their families. We acknowledge the tireless efforts of all our volunteers and emergency services partners, including CFA (Country Fire Authority) Ambulance Victoria,Fire Rescue Victoria, Victoria State Emergency Service, and Victoria Police.

This week, we celebrated three remarkable volunteers from Port Campbell Surf Life Saving Club, Gunnamatta Surf Life Saving Club Woolamai Beach SLSC awarded the Emergency Services Medal for their extraordinary contributions.

Their stories of courage and dedication inspire us all. Read more about them below.

Take a moment to thank a first responder today. How have first responders made a difference in your life?

Tragedies remind us how crucial it is to be prepared.

Our young lifesavers at Surf Life Saving Lakes Entrance demonstrated exceptional skill and collaborative teamwork during a recent beach incident. These lifesavers responded promptly, providing crucial emergency care to give the patient the best chance of survival.

Their commendable efforts in administering CPR to a swimmer who was rescued from the water was formally recognised recently by Ambulance Victoria.

Congratulations to the twelve surf lifesavers recognised with King's Birthday Honours by the Governor-General of Australia today!

Click here for more information and list of our 2024 Honours recipients: bit.ly/3RiKeAR

Surf Life Saving NSW Life Saving Victoria Surf Life Saving Queensland Surf Life Saving SA

Meet the Beaumaris Life Saving Club member who’s headed to the Paris Olympic Games! 🇫🇷

This is the second Olympic event for Amanda, who competed in her first lifesaving sport carnival at four!

Amanda has competed in many lifesaving sports including State Championships and the Australian Surf Lifesaving Championships, or Aussies, alongside her older sisters.

While she lives outside Victoria these days, Amanda continues to patrol in summer in Beaumaris. 🏖

Good luck, Amanda! 🤞

Longtime BLSC member, lifesaver and Olympic Athlete- Amanda Bateman is Paris Bound 🇫🇷

We are so proud of you Amanda Bateman and we are keeping everything crossed for your success in the Olympics ❤️

“Bateman and Hudson are now members of one of the strongest Olympic women’s rowing teams to ever leave Australian shores with at least four strong medal chances heading to Paris.”

https://sportshounds.com.au/2024/05/27/secret-rowing-wizardry-how-to-make-your-boat-fly/

Keep tuned and get behind Amanda and Harriet.

Photography📷: Rowing Aus

The Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) State Champs are just around the corner, and we can’t wait. 🏆

This weekend is the TRE Motorsport Pty Ltd IRB carnival #5️⃣ at Anglesea SLSC, the last carnival of the season.

A huge THANK YOU to all the officials and powercraft team who give up their time to support the carnivals this season. You are legends! 🙌

Good luck to the competitors!

📸 Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club hosting round 4️⃣ of the IRB Carnival in 2024.

We understand how important it is to set up our young lifesavers for the future.

Each year, we bring together the best of our young club members and embark on a journey to build their leadership skills. This journey is not just about their lifesaving careers, but also about their personal growth and preparation for their future careers, no matter what path they choose.

Fifty of our brightest future lifesavers recently joined us for our Under 15’s 2024 Leadership Development Camp, including members from Sandringham Life Saving Club 👇, for a weekend of leadership panels, workshop sessions, and activities.

If you have a teen looking for a new adventure, try lifesaving! 🦺