Bronze Medallion

Information for new members

Your decision to join the BSBLSC, the oldest surf lifesaving club in the world, is the first step to becoming a member of a vital community service. The Bondi Surf Club is a unique club, which is at the forefront of the modern lifesaving movement and is also the birthplace of a proud tradition. A precis of our activities and information regarding types of membership, costs, etc, can be found at this link.  You can also contact our Member Services & Welcoming Officer,  Karen Iles  for further information.

Your time as a member of the Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club will be very rewarding; you’ll have a great time, make new friends, develop new skills all whilst performing a valuable community service on Australia’s most famous beach.

As a member of the Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club you will have the opportunity to spend plenty of time at the beach, have access to surf equipment, the club gym, & access to all club facilities. You also have the opportunity to take advantage of our regular professional fitness training, have the opportunity to compete in lifesaving competitions, and will be welcomed at all club social functions.

If you have any questions regarding the Club or its surf lifesaving activities, please contact the Director of Lifesaving. The most effective means of finding out what is happening in the Club is via email – all enquires and questions are answered as promptly as possible, key contacts are listed in the contact us section.

We wish you well in your endeavours as a new member, and please don’t forget we are all volunteers, and any assistance you can give is greatly appreciated. Again, a warm welcome to the club.

To view our Welcoming Brochure containing all information regarding joining and the activities of Bondi SBLSC, please download our brochure.

If you are interested in joining or require some more information, please contact our Member Services at admin@bondisurfclub.com

About Being a Surf Lifesaver

Becoming a surf lifesaver does not require a high level of fitness, but it does require commitment.

Bondi Beach draws a massive number of visitors each summer. As a result of its popularity, particularly with less experienced swimmers visiting Sydney, Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club is responsible for 10% of Australia’s Surf Rescues annually making it the busiest beach in the country. Our primary function is to provide a life saving service to Bondi Beach in accordance with the charter of the Surf Life Saving Association of Australia (SLSA). BSBLSC takes this responsibility seriously, and requires its members to accept the following obligations:

• Attend all rostered training sessions & surf patrols- if you cannot attend a patrol you must notify your Patrol Captain or Vice Captain and arrange a substitute for your patrol. You will be expected to make up the hours missed on an alternative day.
• Update your annual proficiency – SLSA requires all lifesavers to complete this annual examination, patrol hours cannot be credited without this certification.
• Complete at least one surf race per month – held at 10:30am on Sunday mornings, these event assists in maintaining the surf skills required, for being a competent lifesaver.
• Notify the Registrar in writing of any personal detail changes. Application for holiday leave should be made in writing to Vice Captain Lifesaving.
• Pay the Registrar your membership fees when due – this is essential, as you will not be covered by the Clubs’ insurance.
• Once you have gained the Bronze Medallion, and assigned to a patrol, we ask that each member complete a minimum of 40 hours on patrol each season. If you have any difficulties fulfilling these obligations, please contact the Director of Lifesaving.

Active Membership – 15-35 years old

The Surf Life Saver

All members that wear the “red & yellow” quartered cap are volunteer surf lifesavers.  They have earned and annually update the proficiency of their “Bronze Medallion” or hold a “Surf Rescue Certificate“.

Surf Rescue Certificate

Probationary surf lifesavers can achieve this award from the age of 13 to help be prepared for active patrolling duties.  The award trains candidates in rescue skills, first aid and patient management, resuscitation plus a theoretical component exploring safety knowledge and surf awareness.

Bronze Medallion

This is the minimum requirement for a surf lifesaver.  The holder of this award is over the age of 15 years and has proved proficient in surf awareness, survival, patrol and rescue procedures, emergency care plus anatomy and physiology.

All members are required to complete a 400 metre swim in 9 minutes or less, in a swimming pool of no less than 25 metres or over a measured, open-water, course.  Once this competency is completed, all clubs provide qualified instructors who will train you to the level of a proficient lifesaver.  All you need to do is have the right attitude and commitment to training and anyone is capable of becoming a surf lifesaver.

At the completion of their training, a candidate’s physical fitness is tested by a 200 metre run – 200 metre swim – 200 metre run (run/swim/run) in under 8 minutes.  A pool swim of 400 metres is to be completed in under 9 minutes; simulated rescues using a rescue board and tube.  All these skills combine to train candidates to be an effective member of a patrol team tasked with providing a safe beach and aquatic environment.

The next step is to email our contact at admin@bondisurfclub.com – with the right attitude you too can become a surf lifesaver.