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Surf Life Saving
History
Surf life saving originated in Australia in the
early 1900s in response to drownings at the local beaches of Bronte and Bondi in
Sydney. Such groups became necessary following the relaxing of laws prohibiting
daylight bathing on Australian beaches. Volunteer groups of men were
trained in lifesaving methods and patrolled the beaches as lifeguards looking
after public safety.
In 1955 the first club in the UK started and
since then the SLSA GB has a long history of
voluntary members patrolling local beaches, offering advice, first aid and
rescue services. This continues today and is a vital service to the community.
Many local authorities provide a lifeguard service from May to September on
popular beaches.
There is no other sport that is based on a
humanitarian service - that of saving lives at the beach and in the sea.
In order to participate at a senior level, competitors must be qualified for
lifesaving duties, but they remain lifesavers first, and competitors second.
All events are based on skills required by lifesavers and the equipment used by
them in carrying out their duty.
In the UK Sport is split up into the following:
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Nipper - 7-13 years
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Youth - 13 - 19 years
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Senior - 16 years up
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Master - 30 years up
From local Club events, to Regional, National
and International Championships, there are many opportunities to get involved.
At the highest level Surf lifesaving clubs regularly hold surf carnivals where
clubs compete with each other in a range of beach- and rescue-oriented events
including combined swimming and running, surf ski and surf boat races. The youth
arm of the clubs is known as Nippers and holds similar events. The various
events involve elements of surf swimming, board riding, sand running, mock
rescues using rowed surf boats, and paddling special kayak-like surf skis.
Some events are for individuals, but many are
team events. Individual surf lifesaving events include:
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Iron man
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Surfboat
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R&R (Rescue & Resuscitation)
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March Past
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Beach events (including Beach Sprints, Beach
Relays and Flags)
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Surf Ski
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First Aid Competition, Champion Lifesaver and
Patrol Competition
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Board events
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IRB racing
Club Competition History 1991 - 1992
Amy Geary (National Champion U15 + U16 Ski
paddle)
Montage of images from National Championships
1992 Held at Dawlish Warren
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