Friday 20 March 2020

Dear Members,

The escalating threat of the COVID-19 virus is impacting every element of society and Surf Life Saving is no exception. We will continue to update you frequently during this time and we encourage clubs to do likewise – communicating early and often with your members about the impact of the virus on club and patrol activities.

While many people are in lockdown and public gatherings have been banned, the beach has become one of the few places people feel comfortable spending time. Larger than usual numbers of people have been observed on many beaches as people avoid the threat from the virus.

With warmer weather predicted for the Easter school holiday period, we are concerned that drownings may occur if we wind back significantly on patrols. On average, between now and the end of April, at least five people drown along the NSW coast and another 650 are rescued.

We have received no advice from NSW Health as yet that is contrary to this position for continuation of beach patrols. If we do receive information that changes this position, we will act immediately.

Surf Life Saving NSW is supporting our 20,000 active volunteer lifesavers from 129 clubs to continue to patrol beaches through until the end of April – with social distancing and increased hygiene measures in place.

The health and wellbeing of our members and volunteers is paramount. To reduce the risk of viral transmission, we ask that Surf Life Saving Clubs reduce patrol numbers if they need to and allow any lifesaver who has difficulty fulfilling their patrol duties, or is caring for others, to be excused from patrol.  We have issued advice to members to stay away from their clubs or patrols if they feel at all unwell and to observe the testing and self-isolating advice that government has provided.

With the restrictions on gatherings and events, Surf Life Saving NSW advises clubs to consider postponing or cancelling Nippers activities, training courses and club social events to limit contact between club members.

It’s vitally important that we communicate frequently with our members, many of whom may be unaware of their continuing patrol duty requirements, the cancellation of Nippers activities, the postponement of surf sports events and any interruption to training and other member activities. We also encourage you to send your members information about the social distancing and increased hygiene measures you have introduced to alleviate any concerns they may have about their safety while on patrol.

Our dedicated Coronavirus response webpage is updated frequently with relevant information.

The most recent updates to this information include:

• Patrol Operations and Callout Response Readiness
• Member training activities
• Social Distancing Guidelines - updated
• Advice on venue hire and functions bookings – cancellation and refund policies
• Public Liability coverage for Surf Clubs – Duty of Care

The updated information can be found under 'LATEST UPDATES' on our Coronavirus webpage.

We will continue to communicate with our members via our website, email and social media channels and we encourage clubs to do likewise, forwarding all relevant information to your members.

I want to thank all surf lifesavers, emergency callout teams and Branch Duty Officers who remain on-duty and vigilant, despite the global pandemic. The community deeply appreciates and supports your commitment and service at this terrible time.