Welcome to the Long Reef Surf Lifesaving Club Education website! Our goal is to provide you with the necessary information and resources to become a confident, capable and knowledgeable surf lifesaver.
Surf lifesaving is a unique and rewarding activity that requires both physical fitness and mental alertness. It involves patrolling beaches to ensure the safety of beachgoers, responding to emergencies and providing first aid when needed.
Our Surf Lifesaving Club Education program is designed to provide participants with the skills and knowledge needed to become a competent and confident surf lifesaver. Our courses cover a wide range of topics including beach safety, rescue techniques, first aid, CPR, and communication skills.
Latest Training Opportunities
Welcome to the new season! The Training Team has put together a great program of courses at Long Reef for 2026/27, covering everything from Bronze Medallion and SRC through to IRB, First Aid, ART and Drone operations.
Please note that in order to participate in one of our courses, you need to be a registered and paid-up member of Long Reef SLSC.
Places on each course are limited, so if there’s something you’re interested in, please register early to secure your spot. If you register and your circumstances change, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer your place to another member. If you’re unsure which course is right for you, or have any questions about training, reach out to the Training Team at chief.instructor@longreef.com
🌊Surf Courses
Bronze Medallion October to December
Surf Rescue Certificate October to December
Please look at the course overviews to get a brief description of what we cover in the courses:
Surf Rescue Certificate Course Overview
Bronze Medallion Course Overview
The SRC course is best suited to members aged 13 and 14 and the BM course is best suited to members 15 and older.
🚤IRB Courses
IRB Crew Course October to December
IRB Drivers Course February to March
🩺Medical Courses
First Aid September
First Aid November
First Aid March
ART Course April
Drone Courses
The Drone Course is now open to all Long Reef members. This course has already attracted a high level of interest, so if you’re keen to get involved, we recommend registering early to secure your place.
Drone training is a great opportunity to develop a new skill and learn more about the Club’s growing drone capability and how it can support our operations on the beach.
Drone Course September
Drone Course October
Drone Course November
Bronze Medallion (BM)
(Run at Long Reef SLSC with our trainers)
The Bronze Medallion course provides participants with the skills and knowledge of patrolling and surf awareness in order to be able to participate in lifesaving operations. You must be at least 15 and have the ability to swim 400m in under 9 minutes in a pool of at least 25m in length to undertake the Bronze Medallion.
Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC)
The Surf Rescue Certificate provides participants with the skills and knowledge of basic patrolling and surf awareness in order to be able to participate in lifesaving operations and act in the role of Water Safety Personnel. You must be at least 13 and have the ability to swim 200m in under 5 minutes in a pool of at least 25m in length to undertake the SRC.
Advanced Resuscitation Techniques (ART)
(Run at Long Reef with our trainers)
The Advanced Resuscitation Techniques Certificate (ART) teaches the principles of airway management and oxygen aided resuscitation. You must be 15 years old to complete the Advanced Resuscitation Techniques certificate.
Click here for more information.
First Aid
(Run by the Australian Lifesaving Academy)
The Provide First Aid course (HLTAID011) provides participants with the skills and knowledge to manage emergency first aid situations until professional medical support is available. You must be 14 years old to complete the First Aid certificate. This course is typically run by external training organisations such as the Australian Lifesaving Academy (aka ALA or The Academy). A copy of their course overview can be found on their website here.
Some SLS members may be eligible to complete this course fully subsidised through ALA or run by a Volunteer First Aid Facilitator at their Club. Members who are interested in completing the course should contact the Chief Training Officer to determine whether they are eligible and register their interest for the next course we may be arranging.
Click here for more information.
Silver Medallion Aquatic Rescue
(Run by Sydney Northern Beaches SLS)
The Silver Medallion Aquatic Rescue course provides participants with the skills and knowledge to participate in search and rescue operations. You must be at least 16 years of age and be proficient in the Bronze Medallion. You must also have the capacity to swim 400m in 8 minutes or less in a swimming pool of no less than 25 m length. In SNB, Candidates will be required to complete the first 50m within 45 seconds.
Click here for more information.
Silver Medallion Patrol Captain
(Run by Sydney Northern Beaches SLS)
This 2-day course aims to equip participants with the skills and knowledge required to confidently manage a beach and a patrol as a Surf Life Saving Patrol Captain. You must be at least 17 years old and hold an SLSA Bronze Medallion or have held an SLSA Bronze Medallion and currently hold a patrolling award and have 2 years patrolling experience.
Note: If you haven’t completed the Bronze Medallion Mental Health Awareness or the Safer Surf Clubs eLearning courses, it is a good idea to complete these before commencing this course.
Click here for more information.
IRB Crew Certificate
(Run at Long Reef with our trainers)
Provides participants with the skills and knowledge to effectively crew an Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) in surf rescue operations. You must be 15 years of age and hold the Bronze Medallion to complete this course.
Click here for more information.
Silver Medallion IRB Driver
(Run at Long Reef with our trainers)
The Silver Medallion IRB Driver provides participants with the skills and knowledge to effectively drive and manage an Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) in surf rescue operations. You must be 17 years old on the date of assessment for this award and hold the Bronze Medallion and IRB Crew certificates.
Click here for more information.
Rescue Water Craft (RWC) / Jetski Operator
(Run by Sydney Northern Beaches SLS)
The Rescue Water Craft (RWC) Operator course provides participants with advanced skills and knowledge to effectively drive and manage a Rescue Water Craft (RWC) in lifesaving operations. In SNB, this course is only available to members wishing to become part of the Branch Support Operations team. You must be 18 years of age and have a valid driver’s license to complete this course. As part of Support Operations, there are numerous pre-requisites for this award.
Detailed information can be found on the SNB Support Operations / RWC page here.
Radio Operator
(Run at Long Reef with our trainers)
Provides participants with the skills and knowledge to perform basic communication practices. You must be 13 or over to do your Radio Operator certificate.
Click here for more information.
All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Operator Induction
ATV Operator Inductions are available for club members who are a minimum of 17 years of age, proficient in at least one SLSA Award and hold a current, valid NSW Driver License (provisional or above). If you are interested in participating in an ATV induction and you fulfil the requirements please contact your club’s Chief Training Officer.
Training & Assessment Qualifications
(Run by Sydney Northern Beaches SLS)
Information on how to become involved in training or assessing SLSA awards can be located here.
Gold Medallion
A Gold Medallion Lifesaver has the advanced skills needed to rescue and provide emergency care – alone if necessary. In this role, you will be required to perform complex patient rescue and support. You must already hold the Bronze Medallion, Advanced Resuscitation Techniques certificate, First Aid certificate and either the Silver Medallion Beach Management or Silver Medallion Patrol Captain (2021) award. You must be at least 17 years old on the date of assessment and must also have the capacity to swim 800m in under 14 minutes.
Click here for more information.
Surf Sports Qualifications
Members who are interested in Coaching or Officiating can visit the relevant pages on the SNB website for further information.
Junior Activities Qualifications
Information on Junior awards and Age Manager qualifications can be found on the SNB website here.
Contact our Chief Training Officer (CTO) to find out more or if you are interested in any SLSA awards.