Surf Life Saving.

Since its inception in the early days of 1907, the Surf Life Saving movement, has expanded its role as a Rescue Organisation from using the reel line and belt as its primary rescue piece of equipment to high-tech rescue aids such as powerful offshore rescue boats, manoeuvrable inflatable rescue boats, sophisticated communication systems and high profile helicopter rescue services to become one of Australia’s most iconic organisations.

Surf lifesaving is about satisfaction. Having fun, being physically fit, learning teamwork and aquatic safety skills and competing in surf sports, are helping make going to the beach a safer pastime. Surf Life Saving can offer a range of opportunities which will promote:

• A healthy lifestyle

• A sense of pride

• A sense of responsibility and purpose

• Positive social relationships

Your Safety is our priority.

Understanding the ocean is very important - the more you know about how waves, wind and tides affect conditions in the water, the better able you are to keep yourself safe from danger. Recognising danger signs and awareness of surf conditions is an essential part of surf lifesaving.

 Remember the F-L-A-G-S and stay safe this summer...

 Find the flags and swim between them - the red and yellow flags mark the safest place to swim at the beach.

 Look at the safety signs - they help you identify potential dangers and daily conditions at the beach.

 Ask a surf lifesaver for some good advice - surf conditions can change quickly so talk to a surf lifesaver or lifeguard before entering the water.

 Get a friend to swim with you - so you can look out for each other's safety and get help if needed. Children should always be supervised by an adult.

 Stick your hand up for help - if you get into trouble in the water, stay calm and raise your arm to signal for help. Float with a current or rip - don't try and swim against it.

Our beach operation hours.

 Long Reef Beach is patrolled every weekend during September through to April of each year. Most Sydney Northern Beaches operate on roughly the same times- so feel free to visit our beach during our ‘safe’ hours.

 Start: 3 October 2009

October- 9:00am – 5:00pm

November- 9:00am – 5:00pm

December- 9:00am – 5:00pm

January- 9:00am – 5:00pm

February- 9:00am – 5:00pm

March- 9:00am – 5:00pm

April- 9:00am – 4:30pm

Finish: 24 April 2010

So what exactly do Surf Lifesavers do?

Surf Lifesavers provide patrol services on most of Australia's populated beaches in the swimming season, September to the end of April. Surf patrols which are consisted of a group of surf lifesavers, set up the red and yellow flags which mark the safety area for swimming on Australian beaches. Long Reef has 15 patrol groups which contain one (1) Patrol Captain and a team of approximately 12 surf lifesaving members in each which leads to nearly 150 volunteers a month patrol our section of beach.

I heard Surf Life Saving isn’t just about being a Surf Lifesaver. Is this true?

There is a place for everyone in the surf lifesaving movement. If you are unable to perform the duties of an active surf lifesaver, then perhaps assistance in the administration, communications or fundraising areas is for you. Participation in surf lifesaving leads to bigger and brighter futures for all members regardless of age or background and we as a club provide many opportunities to harness what you strive to achieve.

 In addition to the traditional beach patrols, Surf Life Saving runs community and school education programs, helicopter and jet and offshore rescue boat services, a radio communications network, a medical research program and database of geographical conditions, wave action and hazard rating on all beaches in Australia.

 The surf life saving organisation has become more than just saving lives in the water. Beyond the eyes of the surf lifesaver we are a fun and family orientated organisation. Long Reef SLSC offers many social functions where members and the community can gather as friends and neighbors who share similar passions.

How do I become a Surf Lifesaver?

Long Reef SLSC runs accredited Surf Life Saving Australia courses and is a Registered Training Organisation. To become a surf lifesaver you must obtain a certified qualification. The two (2) main qualifications to become a surf lifesaver are:

• Surf Rescue Certificate: Ages 13-15

• Bronze Medallion (Certificate II in Public Safety- Aquatic Rescue): Ages 15+

Once you have completed your course you will be rewarded with your official Red and Yellow patrol uniform and quartered cap, allocated onto a voluntary patrol with other members, a copy of the patrol roster and invited to all Long Reef SLSC social functions and events. From here you will also have the opportunity to obtain further skills and qualifications such as:

 ·         Silver Medallion- IRB Drivers Certificate

·         Silver Medallion- Basic Beach Management

·         Gold Medallion

·         Advanced Resusitation Certificate (ARC)

·         Deliberation Certificate

·         Spinal Management

·         Advanced Emergency Care

This sounds great- I want to be apart of it!

You will need to apply for membership to Long Reef SLSC which can be acquired by visiting www.lifesavingonline.com.au and putting forward a membership form application. From here, you will then be contacted and welcomed to the club, you’re family now! You will be provided with the relevant contact details for the different areas of the club ie Competition, Education, Lifesaving and Youth. Each of these people are volunteer directors who will more than happily welcome you and provide you with the appropriate information.

If your intensions are to become a fully fledged Surf Lifesaver Shane Stewart, the Direcot of Lifesaving or the Club Captain and his team are there to help you. You can contact Shane at dir.lifesaving@longreef.com. From here you will be shown the ropes on how to undertake a course and become apart of the team.

“We are a committed team ensuring the safety and well being of visitors to Long Reef Beach to ensure that they have a safe and enjoyable experience, every time.”