About Surf Lifesaving Central Coast
Surf Life Saving Central Coast (SLSCC) oversees the management, promotion, and advancement of Surf Lifesaving across the Central Coast. With fifteen clubs, 8,248 members, and a rich tradition spanning 86 years, SLSCC is recognized as one of Australia’s most successful and dynamic branches. Having been awarded the title of SLSNSW ‘Branch of the Year’ six times in the past decade underscores its celebrated status.
To ensure the safety of Central Coast beaches, Surf Lifesavers conduct patrols from September to April annually, dedicating 97,000 volunteer hours across fifteen accessible beaches from The Lakes in the North to Umina in the South. In the past year alone, SLSCC members performed 411 rescues and undertook 18,176 preventive actions. Since its inception in 1938, SLSCC has rescued over 55,000 lives.
Central Coast beaches owe their safety to the unwavering dedication and efforts of these red and yellow-clad volunteers, who ensure they remain among the safest in the world.
Our Mission.
To save lives, create great Australians and build better communities on the Central Coast
Our history.
A integral part of the community since 1938
The Surf Life Saving Central Coast Branch was founded in October 1938
1902.
The Founding Vision
The roots of Surf Life Saving can be traced back to September 1902, when Mr. William Gocher defiantly bathed at Manly Beach during prohibited daylight hours, challenging the prevailing laws. This act, along with similar protests, eventually led to the acceptance of daylight bathing and helped integrate surfing into our national culture.
As the popularity of surf bathing grew, so did awareness of its dangers. Groups of experienced surfers began organizing themselves into lifesaving bodies to assist those in need of rescue in the unpredictable ocean environment.
1907.
An association was formed
By October 18, 1907, the New South Wales Surf Bathing Association was established to unite these clubs, facilitating fundraising and government support. This marked a pivotal moment as Surf Life Saving evolved into a structured movement.
1938.
The Branch is formed
The Surf Life Saving Central Coast Branch was founded in October 1938 by the original five clubs: The Entrance, Terrigal, Avoca Beach, Killcare, and Ocean Beach. Despite a pause during World War II, growth resumed afterward, with the addition of fifteen more affiliated clubs, culminating in the establishment of North Entrance SLSC in 1977.
1977.
Part of the community
Since then, Surf Life Saving on the Central Coast has thrived, becoming an integral part of the community. Since 1977 alone, our volunteers have saved 33,889 lives and rescued over 50,000 individuals in danger, embodying the courage and dedication of our red and yellow army.
1982.
First rescue helicopter
The SLSCC is renowned nationwide for its innovative spirit, leading the way in Surf Life Saving. Major achievements include pioneering the first Rescue helicopter service from 1977 to 1982, maintaining leading Power Surf Rescue Divisions in the country during the 70s and 80s, and playing a key role in establishing the nippers movement.
1995.
Rookie Lifesaver Program
Throughout its history, SLSCC has introduced initiatives such as the Rookie Lifesaver Program in 1995 and a highly successful Community Education program in 1999. Our branch’s lobbying efforts led Gosford City Council to implement Australia’s only Water Safety Rate Levy in 1998.
Today.
Branch of the Year Awards
Additionally, SLSCC has maintained a strong tradition of international touring teams, visiting destinations like the United States, Canada, Hawaii, and New Zealand since the 1970s. This tradition continues today with regular Representative team visits to New Zealand.
With six SLSNSW Branch of the Year Awards in the last decade, SLSCC continues to lead the way, growing stronger with each passing year.
The team.
Our team is here to support you, your clubs and members
Board of Directors
| Matt Slattery | President | president@slscc.com.au |
| Paul Duignan | Director of Education | education@slscc.com.au |
| Gordon Smith | Director of Lifesaving | lifesaving@slscc.com.au |
| Alan Blackman | Director of Business Development | business@slscc.com.au |
| Hayden Smith | Director of Surf Sports | surfsports@slscc.com.au |
| Jordan Smith | Director of Youth Activities | youthactivities@slscc.com.au |
Staff
| Michael Hyslop | Chief Executive Officer | 0417 999 137 | CEO@slscc.com.au |
| Julia Skinner | Club Support/Surf Sports/Marketing | 0403 673 330 | admin@slscc.com.au |
| Julie-Ann Fillingham | Education/Lifesaving | 0421 222 908 | support@slscc.com.au |
| Nat Tucker | Member Development/Youth/Community Education | 0438 168 214 | office@slscc.com.au |
Board Managers
| Education | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rick Walker | TAF Development and Support | 0419 439 815 |
| Ramzy Fawzy | Lifesaving Education | 0404 202 223 |
| Paul Dowdell | Education Strategy | 0425 839 113 |
| Tim Pittolo | Education Tools and Systems | 0409 835 642 |
| Lifesaving | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jay Davidson | Support Services | operationsmanager@slscc.com.au |
| Shaun Gersch | RWC Operations | rwcmanager@slscc.com.au |
| Dave Smith | Equipment | |
| Dean Tetley | UAV’s | uavmrg@slscc.com.au |
| Surf Sports |
|
|---|---|
| Toni Jennar | Officials |
| Richard Green | Representative Teams |
| Keaton Watts | Carnivals |
| Scott Hannell | Boats |
| Graham Sherer | Gear & Equipment |
| Lauren Goldie | Special Events |
| Ryan Quick | Coaching |
| Membership/ Youth Activities | |
|---|---|
| VACANT | Membership & Recognition |
| Wendy Walsh | Member Development |
| VACANT | Nippers |
| Lachlan Coppen | Youth |
Committees
| Constitution | Judiciary |
|---|---|
| Warren Lupica | Brett Harrod |
| Phil Lytham | Toni Jennar |
| Phil Lytham |
Find a Central Coast surf club near you
To ensure the safety of Central Coast beaches, Surf Lifesavers conduct patrols from September to April annually, dedicating 97,000 volunteer hours across fifteen accessible beaches from The Lakes in the North to Umina in the South.
We are always looking to grow the Surf Life Saving family – Simply hover over a red dot to find your local surf club!
2024-2025 season in stats
The Lakes
The role of the Surf Lifesaver now stretches far beyond the beach and there are countless ways to become involved in your community.
From education and training to ensure our members have the skills needed to save lives, keeping fit and active and getting involved in surf sports competition, helping out with club fundraising or patrolling a beach with a great team of like-minded people – join your local club today and find out how you can become part of more than a century of tradition.
We aim to provide club members, sponsors, family, friends, visitors and the community, general information on Surf Life Saving, Club Memberships, Surf Life Saving Competitions, local club events and activities, which can all be found right here at our beautiful Beach.
We look forward to seeing you at our Family Friendly club to experience the Spirit of Soldiers.
The Club is on Tuggerah Beach, an exposed south-east to east-facing beach which runs for 8.2km from Pelican Point to Karagi Point, the sand spit that forms on the north side of the natural entrance to Tuggerah Lake.
The old adage that many hands makes light work always rings true. We’re looking for new members to join our Club to assist with keeping our beach safe for locals and visitors. You don’t need to be an Iron-man, as there are a range of roles that are available. You could specialise in Communications, First Aid or Education. You don’t even need to get wet, if you don’t want to.
Toowoon Bay Surf Life Saving Club was formed in 1954 by a dedicated group of volunteers wishing to ensure the local community and the many visitors to the area, experience a safe surf environment.
The club has a popular junior development programme known as ‘Nippers’ designed to create young life savers of the future. We foster a culture of resilience, self-confidence, community spirit, teamwork and a sense of camaraderie to strike up friendships that will last a lifetime. We also offer ‘Stingray Nippers.’ This is a modified program for children with additional needs.
Our dedicated club volunteers aim to provide the community with world class rescue services, a safe and inclusive environment where everyone is welcome to ‘Join the Fun.’
Shelly Beach offers a great Nippers, Youth and Duke of Ed and Education program. We excel in Masters Competition and have won the Masters Point score being the best on the Central Coast at Branch, State and Australian Titles in both Pool Rescue and Surf Competition for several years. Boasting World Records and Olympians who are our members.
We pride ourselves on being a club for the community and offer our surf club for meetings for sporting groups if available and have a great Restaurant “The Balcony” and a friendly Bar and wonderful Café “Munchas”.
Our patrolling members are friendly and welcoming, and you don’t need to be a swimmer to be involved, there are several options open to anyone to join in and help our community. Don’t hesitate to come down and join up with Shelly Beach SLSC, a place where friends meet!
Wamberal SLSC has provided the community with a safe beach for more than fifty years. Being a community based volunteer organisation, the Club receives fantastic and generous support from the local residents and businesses of Wamberal and the surrounding area.
Wamberal is a medium size club and is part of the Central Coast Branch of Surf Life Saving. The Club has a membership of 450, with approximately 110 members actively involved in lifesaving duties. Of the membership, there are about 380 nippers aged between 6 and 14 years of age. These “Nippers” provide the Club with an ongoing supply of active members to maintain the high standards which are an integral part of the Clubs history.
Terrigal Surf Life Saving Club has a proud 100-year history of lifesaving and community service. Terrigal won the 2024 Central Coast and NSW Surf Life Saving Club of the year awards. Terrigal is a large and family-friendly club with a relatively safe beach. The club offers something for everyone including nippers from for children from 5-14 years of age. We have over 250 patrolling lifesavers who volunteer to keep our beach safe for locals and tourists.
The club offers formal training in all areas of surf lifesaving and a wide range of opportunities to participate (all age groups including Master’s) including training and competition with teams that are competition at local, state and national level for board and ski events, surf boats, pool rescue and surfing. There are also regular social, community and leadership opportunities for those who are interested.
NASLSC is a family orientated club that strives to strengthen our Club, by engaging our members, supporting community connections and recognising the diverse contributions and achievements our people make to our organisation. We value and listen to what our members want from their volunteer experience. We teach surf skills, we develop and support our people holistically in their surf lifesaving journey, we grow and sustain our movement, engage our community and ultimately save lives.
Whether you aspire to be a competent Lifesaver or wish to represent your Club, State or Country in Avoca Beach SLSC is all about providing all members, adults and children with confidence, skills and understanding of the beach and surf environment. We are focused on providing a fun, safe environment to deliver our nippers the necessary tools to become excellent future lifesavers.
Since 1963, Copacabana Surf Life Saving Club has been serving the Copacabana community and its visitors. Located on the beautiful Central Coast of New South Wales, the Club started with just 14 active members, but now boasts over 400 members of which some 90 are active surf life savers.
Copacabana SLSC has a focus on enjoyment and participation at all levels, along with various competition programs for those that like to race! Memberships are available for juniors, masters, seniors and families, either active or associate.
This unique seaside village retains a residential character, despite the regular influx of sanctuary seekers and the rapid increase in population and commercial development in neighbouring suburbs. The Surf Club is the hub of the local community and our part-time residents tend to treat it likewise.
MacMasters Beach Surf Life Saving Club prides itself upon its consistently safe patrol duties each season. It is numbered among those clubs who are able to claim “no lives lost” while patrols were on duty.
We are devoted to the safeguarding of life at MacMasters Beach and welcome you to join our club and assist us in providing a valuable community service.
If you love Killcare Beach as much as us, come on down and get involved! It’s not just for lifesavers either; whether you’re young or not so much, super fit or more suited to helping us keep this invaluable community facility on its feet, there are plenty of ways to get involved and everyone is welcome.
OB is ideally located on the Woy Woy peninsula of the N.S.W. Central Coast.
Situated on the shores of Broken Bay with views of Lion Island and Barrenjoey Headland, Ocean Beach is the perfect family beach.
Beach safety, maintenance of the aquatic environment, education and training in a fun, friendly and professional manner is our aim.
