World Life Saving

In November 1956, the National Surf Lifesaving Associations of Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ceylan, Hawaii, Great Britain and the USA created the International Council of Surf Life Saving (ICSLS).

In 1971, a Congress is held in Sydney (Australia) where the members of the ICSLS created a new organisation called World Life Saving (WLS). The WLS was founded on 24 March, 1971 in Cronulla, Australia. The constitution came into effect on 14 June 1977 with a formal agreement between the foundation nations: Australia, Great Britain, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States.

The World Life Saving was founded for the purpose of establishing educational marine safety and aquatic programmes on a people-to-people basis. 

On 24 February 1993, the WLS merged with the FIS to form the International Life Saving Federation (ILS). By that time, the WLS represented more than 20 full member national life saving organisations.

Picture: Foundation Meeting of World Life Saving
Standing from left to right: Ken Farey (New Zealand), Mike Mortimer (South Africa), D. de Silva (Sri Lanka), Alan Whelpton (Australia and WLS Secretary General), Jack McMaster (Australia), Vince Moorehouse (USA), Cecil Small (USA), Allan Kennedy (Great Britain), Neil Balnaves (Australia and WLS Public Relations).
Seated from left to right: Hector McDonald (Australia), Jack Dearlove (Australia), Con Asmussen (Australia), Kevin Weldon (Australia and WLS President), Lou Johnson (South Africa).

Former Presidents of WLS

  • 1971 – 1974
    • Kevin WELDON, AM (Australia – Surf)
  • 1974 – 1976
    • Denis OSBORNE (South Africa)
  • 1976 – 1980
    • Vincent MOOREHOUSE (United States – USLA) *
  • 1980 – 1982
    • Cecil SMALL (United States – USLA)
  • 1982 – 1986
    • Gus STAUNTON (Australia – Surf)
  • 1986 – 1988
    • Marlin MOORE (Canada)
  • 1988 – 1993
    • Max (Melvin) BOWMAN (United States – USLA)
  • 1993 – 1994
    • Alan ROSS (South Africa) *

Honorary and Honoured Members of WLS

  • 1982
    • Vincent MOOREHOUSE (United States – USLA) *
    • Kevin WELDON, AM (Australia – Surf)
    • Jack DEARLOVE, MBE (Australia – Surf)
  • 1984
    • Alan WHELPTON, AO (Australia – Surf)
    • Denis OSBORNE (South Africa) *
  • 1986
    • Dr. Ian MACKIE, MD (Australia – Surf) *
    • Melvin (Max) BOWMAN (United States – USLA)
  • 1988
    • Gus B. STAUNTON, MBE (Australia – Surf)
  • 1990
    • Warren RENNIE (Australia – Surf)
  • 1992
    • Paul SMITH, OAM (Australia – Surf) *
  • 1993
    • Doug D’ARNALL (United States – USLA)
    • Derrick WHITTING (South Africa) *

* Deceased