More than 112,000 surf lifesaving volunteers across Australia took a well-earned bow on November 3, with the launch of 2007 Year of the Surf Lifesaverâ„¢ at Sydneyâ„¢s Bondi Beach, where Australiaâ„¢s surf lifesaving movement began almost 100 years ago.

The official recognition “ representative of Australia™s great love affair with the beach and the coastal environment “ also celebrates the 520,000 people who have been rescued by surf lifesavers over the past 100 years, with many more being warned of potential dangers before they get into trouble.

More than 112,000 surf lifesaving volunteers across Australia took a well-earned bow on November 3, with the launch of 2007 Year of the Surf Lifesaver’ at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, where Australia’s surf lifesaving movement began almost 100 years ago.

The official recognition ” representative of Australia’s great love affair with the beach and the coastal environment ” also celebrates the 520,000 people who have been rescued by surf lifesavers over the past 100 years, with many more being warned of potential dangers before they get into trouble.

The book is a stunning new history of the surf lifesaving movement, which has already stirred controversy by finding conclusively that Bondi SLSC was the first surf club, dashing the claims of a number of other contenders.

One of Australia’s oldest surf lifesavers, John Stroud, was on hand with one of the youngest nippers to officially present the 260 page book to the Governor-General.

President of Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA), Ron Rankin AM, said that the surf lifesaving movement, formed by a small band of volunteers in 1907 in response to a spate of drownings on Sydney beaches, provided a safe environment in which to begin surf bathing’ ” a practice which has since become a passion for many Australians.

“Australia is famous the world over for its beautiful beaches, its surfing and swimming culture, however it is only through the presence of surf lifesavers on our beaches for almost one hundred summers that this culture could thrive, he said.

“The Year of the Surf Lifesaver will provide a unique platform to touch all Australians in a meaningful way. Almost everyone has had a beach experience whether it be living near the coast or visiting the beach for their annual holidays. Our confidence on the beach can be in part attributed to the more than 1.4 million patrol hours which our volunteer surf lifesavers spend each year to provide safer beaches for the Australian community, he said.

Since the formation of the first clubs in 1907, the movement has grown to now consist of 305 clubs and 112,000 members, 37,400 of whom actively patrol the country’s beaches and 38,000 of whom are nippers’ (or junior surf lifesavers).

“The Year of the Surf Lifesaver provides all Australians who enjoy the beach the opportunity to reflect on a glorious history but also ensure that our surf lifesavers can go on saving lives in the water for the next one hundred years.

“People from all corners of Australia can get involved in the Year of the Surf Lifesaver by attending an event, making a donation, following the surf safety messages when visiting the beach or play a more significant role by becoming a member of a surf life saving club.

The Year of the Surf Lifesaver will touch all Australians in a meaningful way by:

• improving water safety education for Australian public and school children across the nation
• increasing public knowledge of the historic role of surf lifesavers in the development of Australian culture
• promoting awareness of Surf Life Saving’s key capabilities strongly position the authority for the future through donations and new members extending an open invitation to all Australians to get involved in the celebrations

Key dates and activities

5 December 2006: Launch of Between The Flags’ surf lifesaving exhibition at the National Museum of Australia. The exhibition will travel to Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth during the course of 2007.

26 January 2007: Australia Day Celebrations in capital cities featuring surf lifesaving displays
January to March Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Iron Man and Ironwoman series ” to be shown on Channel 9 around the country over summer.

During February Surf Patrol ” a new reality’ TV series on Channel 7. This new 13-part, 30-minute series featuring surf lifesavers keeping the country’s beaches safe over summer, promises to be one of the highlights of the Year of the Surf Lifesaver.

During March Release of Commemorative Postage Stamps. Australia Post will release a special stamp issue to celebrate YSL and commemorate the centenary of surf lifesaving in Australia.

20-25 March 2007: Australian Surf Life Saving Championships, at Scarborough Beach in Perth, promises to be a highlight of the Year of the Surf Lifesaver for all SLSA members

20 October 2007: Surf Life Saving Australia Centenary Dinner

20 October 2007: National club open day inviting all Australians to visit their local surf life saving club and see how they can get involved