Every summer season (October to April), between our iconic red and yellow flags on beaches up and down our vast WA coastline, you can find our surf lifesavers and lifeguards.
Between those flags, we draw a line in the sand: everyone who crosses it should enter and leave the water safely. To find out where and when our lifesavers and lifeguards are patrolling, visit Beach Safe.
Nationally, Surf Life Saving is one of the largest providers of paid lifeguards in the world, employing over 700 lifeguards at more than 250 locations across Australia.
In WA, SLSWA is the largest provider of paid lifeguard services, managed under contract for local or state government agencies.
SLSWA Lifeguards wear black, red and yellow uniforms with LIFEGUARD written clearly on the back and front of the shirt.
In Australia, many local councils also run their own professional ocean lifeguard service. These lifeguards wear a range of different coloured uniforms, including variations of blue, white, red and yellow.
Patrol Hours
29,263
Preventative Actions
69,927
Rescues
105
First Aids
748
In Western Australia, Surf Life Saving has its origins at Cottesloe beach, where the first WA Surf Life Saving Club was formed in 1909. Since these humble beginnings, volunteer lifesavers have saved more than 600,000 lives.
Lifesaving has changed dramatically over the past 100 years, with over 310 Surf Life Saving Clubs around Australia now in operation, including 31 in Western Australia.
Today, in WA alone, more than 5000 trained volunteer surf lifesavers commit their weekends and public holidays to patrol our coastline and keep beachgoers safe. This accounts for more than 100,000 hours a year. It’s easy to see how our people know the beach best!
Lifesavers wear easily identified red and yellow uniforms with SURF RESCUE clearly written on the front and back of the shirt.
Next time you are at the beach, find the red and yellow flags and always swim between them. Remember, if our lifesavers can’t see you, they can’t save you.
Patrol Hours
109,497
Preventative Actions
25,418
Rescues
453
First Aids
2.773
