Education & Training

Newcastle Surf Life Saving club is committed to developing and training members of the public in various courses to improve beach awareness and safety, enable community members to become volunteer life savers and to support those interested in competing in surf life saving sports or supporting our nippers program through providing water safety.

Our primary goals in training members of the public are to:

To train new lifesavers to Patrol Newcastle Beach and join our club
To train parents and volunteers to support our Nippers Program – Water Safety
To raise awareness, education and capability for people to stay safe in all conditions

Bronze Medallion

The Bronze Medallion is an iconic Australian Award to become a volunteer life saver. The course is duration is approximately 9 weeks induration and is a challenging and rewarding way to develop the skills and capabilities to deal with the challenging Australian surf conditions.

Course Requirements
To be able to enrol in the Bronze Medallion you must:
• Be 15 years or older
• Swim 400m freestyle in under 9 minutes in a pool
• Be able to attend at least 90% of sessions and the mandatory assessment dates
• Be swim and run fit, able to lift/carry gear and patients with a team

What You’ll Learn
• Surf safety and identifying rips and currents
• Surf rescue techniques and scenarios
• First aid and resuscitation
• Radio communications
• Teamwork and leadership

Attendance Policy
Missing too many sessions may prevent you from continuing. Much of the assessment is team-based, and your participation affects the whole group. Trainers will assess eligibility on a case-by-case basis if attendance is insufficient.

Course fees
Bronze Medallion $280
Fees include:
• Full course training & materials (including pink training vest)
• First Aid Course
• Patrol uniform and Club Access (including Gym)
• Membership fees for the seasons

Surf Rescue Certificate

The Surf Rescue Certificate is the entry point and transition for children finishing the nipper’s program, but too young to hold the Bronze Medallion. It is also the minimum required course for adults and parents wanting to do water safety for the nipper’s program.

The course is duration is approximately 9 weeks induration and is a challenging and rewarding way to develop the skills and capabilities to deal with the challenging Australian surf conditions.

Course Requirements
To be able to enrol in the Surf Rescue Certificate you must:
• Be 13 years or older
• Swim 200m freestyle in under 5 minutes in a pool
• Be able to attend at least 90% of sessions and the mandatory assessment dates
• Be swim and run fit, able to lift/carry gear and patients with a team

What You’ll Learn
• Surf safety and identifying rips and currents
• Surf rescue techniques and scenarios
• Life Saver CPR
• Radio communications
• Teamwork and leadership

Attendance Policy
Missing too many sessions may prevent you from continuing. Much of the assessment is team-based, and your participation affects the whole group. Trainers will assess eligibility on a case-by-case basis if attendance is insufficient.

Course fees
Surf Rescue Certificate $215
Fees include:
• Full course training & materials (including pink training vest)
• Patrol uniform and Club Access (including Gym)
• Membership fees for the seasons

Award Member

We realise that not all members of the community are able, or want, to be active life savers and we recognise that these individuals can still bring significant value and contribution to our beaches.

Award members are trained in First Aid, Advanced Resuscitation Techniques, Radio Communications and Signals. The members are then able to lead and coordinate the responses to support our life savers during an emergency, preforming a key role in the broader team during rescues and emergency situations.

Course Requirements
To be able to enrol in the Award Member course you must:
• Be 15 years or older
• Be able to lift/carry gear and patients with a team

What You’ll Learn
• First Aid and Resuscitation
• Advanced Resuscitation
• Radio and Beach Signal communications
• Teamwork and leadership

Attendance Policy
The Award Member qualification is progressively trained alongside Bronze Medallion Courses, First Aid Courses and Advanced Resuscitation Courses. Course participants must be able to meet the attendance requirements of the specific modules. Flexibility exists in delivery of the course and trainers will work with candidates on likely training dates and times.

Course fees
Award Member Course $250

Get Involved

Fill in an ‘Expression of Interest’ form here if you want to participate in the above courses.