Surf Life Saving Illawarra Newsletter
Here we are, our last newsletter of the year, time flies when you are on the beach having fun! The 25-26 season is well and truly underway and with the weather and water getting warmer, it's great to see everyone heading back to our beaches.
We have had our nippers, and their families return to our clubs. The Sydney Water Surf Series has commenced with Round 1 and 2 held at Warilla Barrack-Point SLSC, round 3 of the series kicks of this weekend and round 4 will be held the following weekend. We have had members from our clubs compete in the RCVRI Sydney Surfboat Series, Coolangatta Gold on the Gold Coast, Wanda's Annual Carnival and our Illawarra Branch Team travelled to Avoca Beach SLSC to compete in the 2025 Interbranch Championships.
As the weather continues to warm up, remember, staying safe at the beach in the water, means swimming between the red and yellow flags at patrolled beaches. If you want to learn more about beach safety and help protect our community, you can always join a club as a patrolling member. Reach out to your club or contact our office to find out more about joining an upcoming course.
The branch would like to wish you and your families a wonderful festive season. Many thanks to our volunteers who give their time over this period to keep us safe on the beach and members of our emergency call out teams and rescue services teams.
Download Beachsafe App!
Access the latest information about every Australian beach or find a beach near you including local conditions and lifesaving services. There’s also safety advice and information about flags, signs, rips, waves and more.
Surf Life Saving recommends swimming at patrolled beaches, between the red and yellow flags.
Education Courses
Upcoming Branch Courses
Are you a current financial member? Are you interested in joining a patrol and helping out your club and community? Please keep reading below for more details on upcoming courses. These courses not only help you obtain lifesaving skills or upskill your current lifesaving skills but allow you to help out your club on patrol and contribute to the greater community.
If you wish to become a patrolling member of your club or help with water safety at nippers, then why not complete your Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC) or Bronze Medallion (BM). Speak with your club if you are interested or email Megs, our Education admin officer at educationadmin@slsillawarra.com.au.
Did you know that you can join a patrol in different roles? If being in the water performing rescues is not for you, then maybe you might like to be the First Aid Officer on patrol. If this sounds like something for you, then why not join our next First Aid Course. Details below.
First Aid
The next branch First Aid Course (HLTAID011) will be held in 2026. Dates to be released in future newsletters, on our social media and our website.
First Aid is open to current financial members who are above the age of 14.
If you are interested in attending, please submit an expression of interest on our website
2025 SLSNSW Interbranch Championships
On the 29th and 30th of November our Illawarra Branch Team, which consisted of 40 athletes, 20 male and 20 female, ranging from age groups U/12- U/17 travelled to Avoca Beach SLSC. The Interbranch Competition has been held annually for many years and is an opportunity for young athletes to represent their branch in competition against other surf lifesaving branches in NSW.
Illawarra came 6th overall and our team had some great individual and team results.
A very big thank you to our Team Manager; Aaron Smith, Beach Coach; Glenn Beveridge, Water Coach; Louis Whant, Team Chaperones; Jill Rutty, Angela Smith, Rachelle Whant and Skye Neville who travelled with our team and ensured the weekend was a success.
We would also like to thank our water safety volunteers and Illawarra officials.
Each year our branch releases a circular for nominations to express your interest to join the team so if you are keen surf sports competitor, keep an eye out next year for 2026 team nominations.
Sydney Water Surf Series
Another Sydney Water Surf Series has commenced, which involves four rounds of great competition on the sand and in the water.
Round 1 and 2 were held at Warilla Barrack-Point SLSC on Saturday the 15th of November and Sunday the 16th of November. Round 3 will be held this Saturday the 6th of December at Wollongong City SLSC, followed by Round 4 at Bulli SLSC on the 13th of December. Late entries will be taken on the morning of each carnival.
A big congratulations to all competitors across our clubs who competed in round 1 and 2 and best of luck for the final two rounds.
Thank you to our host clubs, officials and water safety who make these competitions possible and of course the Sydney Water Surf Series committee, who dedicate many hours to continue to make this such a successful surf sports event.
Enjoy some photos from the competition below.
Upcoming Surf Sports Events
Surf Life Saving Illawarra Branch Championships
The Branch Championships, supported by Bluescope WIN Community Partners, involve competition for juniors, from U/8 and seniors and is held over two days.
The entry circular can be found on our website at the following link; www.slsillawarra.com.au Entries open on the 17th of December 2025.
This season's carnival will be held on Saturday the 31st of January and Sunday the 1st of February 2026 at Thirroul SLSC.
Junior Lifesaver of the Year (JLOTY)
Nominations are open for our JLOTY. JLOTY recognises our young Under 14 age group members (DOB 1 October 2011 - 30 September 2012).
Clubs are welcome to nominate 1 female and 1 male financial member for SLS Illawarra Junior Lifesaver of the Year 2025-2026.
1 Female and 1 Male member will be chosen as Illawarra's JLOTY and then progress to be state finalists and represent our branch at the Junior Lifesaver of the Year Program.
More information can be found on our website in circular 2512; SLSI Memos & Circulars
SLSI Board Member Update
The SLSI Board recently appointed Manuel Schuldt from North Wollongong SLSC as our Surf Life Saving Illawarra Deputy President.
Manuel is a passionate surf lifesaver and also holds the role of Chief Training Officer at his club. The Deputy President position has been vacant since our SLSI Election was held in May 2025 when our former Deputy President, Gunther Enthaler, stepped into the role of SLSI Deputy President.
A big thank you to Manuel for volunteering his time to this role and congratulations!
Congratulations to Peter Evert
Our former SLSI President Peter Evert was recently presented with an award at the Surf Life Saving NSW Annual General Meeting by former SLSNSW President Peter Agnew AM ESM, in recognition of his outstanding contribution and commitment to Surf Life Saving NSW, serving with distinction as Illawarra Branch President and State Council member from 2017 to 2025, together with dedicated service in numerous Branch and Club roles.
Well done to Peter.
Surfhouse Office Closure and Staff Leave
The office will be closed from Wednesday the 24th of December until Friday the 2nd of January 2025 inclusive.
The office email and phone will not be monitored during this time, for any urgent queries, please contact the relevant director, their information can be found at the following link; SLSI Director Contact Information
Ash, our Office Manager, will be on leave from Monday the 22nd of December and return to work on Monday the 5th of January and then on leave again from the 26th of January and will return to work on Monday the 9th of February.
Megs, our Education and Administration Officer, will be on leave from the 25th of December and will return to work on Tuesday the 13th of January.
Christmas Food Drive for St Vincent De Paul
Surf Life Saving Illawarra is supporting Carol Berry MP's Christmas food drive, collecting food for St Vincent De Paul.
We would love our members and clubs to collect items on the below list and either drop to Surfhouse (64 Smith St, Wollongong) by the 17th of December or collect at your club and we will arrange collection. Surfhouse is open Monday-Wednesday and Friday 9am-5pm.
Please contact our Director of Administration on administration@slsillawarra.com.au to arrange collection from your club.
NEWSLETTERS
Does your club have any news, training dates or other events you would like to share. Send it through to the SLSI branch office and we will put it in the newsletter.
