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Glossary

Like any organisation, SLSA has its own usage, terminologies and acronyms. This glossary will help you decipher some of these terms. ...read more
 
 
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Australian Surf Life Saving Championships dates extended for 2011

Surf Life Saving Australia today announced that dates for the 2011 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships will be extended. The event will run from Saturday 2 to Sunday 10 April at Kurrawa on the Gold Coast.  ...read more

Entries now open for Coolangatta Gold 2010

Entries are now open for the Coolangatta Gold 2010. The legendary test of endurance will take place on Sunday, 7 November with hundreds of competitors looking to write a new chapter in Coolangatta Gold history.  ...read more
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Questions

About beach safety

About surf lifesavers and lifeguards

About nippers or junior lifesavers

About SLSA

Answers

About beach safety

Q:
Why should I swim between the red and yellow flags?
A:
The red and yellow flags mark the area patrolled by patrolled by surf lifesavers and lifeguards. They mark the safest place to swim at the beach, because if the surf lifesavers or lifeguards can’t see you – they can’t save you.
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Q:
What do the various other coloured flags on the beaches mean?
A:
Although these flags are not yet universally used around Australia, it’s important to know what they mean:
  • A yellow flag means you should proceed with caution as there are potentially dangerous conditions in the water.
  • A red flag means there is danger so you should not enter the water.
  • A red chequered flag means a shark has been spotted.
  • A blue flag indicates the board-riding area for surfers.
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    Q:
    What is a rip?
    A:
    A rip is a strong current running out to sea on a surf beach. It can easily take swimmers from shallow water to several hundred metres offshore. If you are caught in a rip remember to relax, raise your arm for help and wait to be rescued.
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    Q:
    How can I get more information about beach and surf safety?
    A:
    If you are on the beach and want more information, ask the nearest surf lifesaver or lifeguard. If you’re at home, school or work, please visit our Beach Safety section.
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    About surf lifesavers and lifeguards

    Q:
    How do I become a surf lifesaver?
    A:
    The first step is to contact your local surf club and find out what courses they are offering. The Bronze Medallion is the minimum requirement for an active surf lifesaver. To obtain this award you must be over the age of 15 and demonstrate proficiency in surf awareness, survival, patrol and rescue procedures, emergency care plus anatomy and physiology.
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    Q:
    Why do surf lifesavers wear red and yellow caps?
    A:
    All trained surf lifesavers wear the internationally recognised red and yellow patrol uniform and are distinct by wearing the red and yellow quartered cap. Market research by SLSA shows that the red and yellow colours are the most easily recognisable in times of emergency on the beach.
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    Q:
    Can I purchase a red and yellow cap or flags for a party or corporate event?
    A:
    No. The red and yellow cap is an internationally recognised safety symbol and should not be used except by proficient Bronze Medallion holders. The red and yellow cap and flags are registered trademarks of SLSA.
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    Q:
    How do I become a lifeguard?
    A:
    If you love helping people, like an outdoor life and have strong surf rescue and resuscitation skills, then maybe becoming a lifeguard is for you. Lifeguards must hold a minimum of a nationally recognised senior first aid, Advanced Resuscitation and Bronze Medallion (or equivalent) and complete a minimum fitness requirement.
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    Q:
    What is the difference between a surf lifesaver and a lifeguard?
    A:
    Surf lifesavers are trained volunteers who patrol our beaches on weekends and public holidays during the swimming season. Lifeguards provide beach safety to local government or other land managers (such as resort or amusement park operators) and patrol seven days a week – although this depends on location.
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    About nippers or junior lifesavers

    Q:
    What does being a nipper involve?
    A:
    There are almost 50,000 junior surf lifesavers (nippers) in Australia. Nippers start learning about surf awareness and safety through the ‘SurfEd’ program. They are also able to participate in board paddling, surfing, swimming, running, wading and other fun activities and games. Practising these skills allows children to compete in club, regional and state surf lifesaving carnivals representing their clubs.
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    Q:
    How can I get more information about nippers?
    A:
    Children can join nippers at any age from U/6 (5yrs) to U/14 (13yrs). To join nippers, you should head down to your nearest surf life saving club on any Sunday morning during summer and sign up.
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    About SLSA

    Q:
    What is SLSA?
    A:
    SLSA is Australia’s major water safety and rescue authority, and is one of the largest volunteer organisations in the country. Our mission is to provide a safe beach and aquatic environment throughout Australia. Our core business areas are:
  • Lifesaving and water safety
  • Surf sports
  • Education and training
  • Organisational development, including leadership and personal development
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    Q:
    How did surf lifesaving begin?
    A:
    During the nineteenth century, legislation banned bathing in public between the hours of 6am and 8pm. In the closing decades of the century, many regular bathers, who were becoming increasingly frustrated with the restrictive by-laws, began to lobby the state government and local councils to lift the bans. By the opening years of the twentieth century, Sydney’s codes of morality had shifted enough that local police refused to arrest or prosecute a number daylight bathers who were dressed in what was deemed to be appropriate costume. In the following years all of Sydney’s seaside councils lifted their bans restricting daylight bathing, although the practice continued to be opposed by moral groups for some years. As a consequence of the lifting of these bans, the popularity of what was called surf-bathing increased rapidly. Unfortunately however, so did the number of bathers who got into difficulty in the surf.
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    Q:
    What was the Year of the Surf Lifesaver?
    A:
    The Australian Government declared that 2007 was to be recognised as the Year of the Surf Lifesaver in Australia in celebration of 100 years of surf lifesaving.

    The Year of the Surf Lifesaver was an opportunity for the Australian community to reflect on the contribution of surf lifesavers over the course of 100 years and to assist in consolidating its future.

    To all those who participated in this great occasion, we say thanks!

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