Education &
Training

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

CLUB-INTERNAL COURSES:

We are running a Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC), SRC to BM Conversion and Bronze Medallion (BM) course, and an IRB crew and IRB Driver course starting in February 2024. The dates for the courses are as follows:

SRC and BM dates – Feb and Mar 2024

IRBC and IRBD dates – Feb and Mar 2024

 

If you would like to participate in these courses, please sign up using these links:

SRC and BM Course Enrolment Form

IRBC and IRBD Course Enrolment Form

 

There is an expectation that you can make all the planned dates and an expectation that you become an active patrolling member once you have completed one of the courses. If, for any reason, you are unable to commit to the course dates or find the patrolling responsibilities too demanding, please leave the space for a member who can make these commitments.

 

We can take a maximum of 6 drivers and 12 crew on the IRB course and 28 on the SRC/BM course. Names received after we reach these limits will go on a waitlist.

 

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

IRB Crew Syllabus

IRB Driver Syllabus

 

The SRC course is best suited to members aged 13 and 14 and the BM course is best suited to members 15 and older. Please note that in order to participate in one of the courses, you need to be a registered and paid-up member of Long Reef SLSC.

 

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Chris Pienaar, our Chief Training Officer ([email protected]), or one of the trainers, if you have any further questions.

 

Training Courses

We offer a range of courses to cater for all levels of experience, from beginners to advanced.

Our courses are delivered by experienced and qualified instructors who are passionate about surf lifesaving and are committed to providing high-quality education.

Our Surf Lifesaving Club Education program is designed to be fun, challenging and rewarding. It is a great way to meet new people, stay fit and active, and contribute to the safety of your community.

Here’s a list of courses on offer. They are either run at our club or by branch in a different location. They cover all aspects of surf life saving, e.g. rescue, emergency care, beach management, power crafts, etc.

If you have any questions or would like to enrol in one of our courses, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to seeing you on the beach!

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.

Click here for more information.

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.

Click here for more information.

Resuscitation

(Run at Long Reef with our trainers)

The Resuscitation course delivers the essential principles‚ skills and knowledge to maintain or restore breathing and circulation in an adult, child or infant. You must be at least 10 years of age to complete the Resuscitation certificate.

Click here for more information.

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) awardYou 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.