Media Release

Shark sightings up as helicopter patrols wind down for the season.

Surf Life Saving WA’s State Government-funded Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service (WLRHS), which operates out of bases in North Fremantle and Busselton, will fly its final patrols today as they finish up for the summer season. Since September 2023, the Service has flown nearly 1,000 hours across more than…

Surf Life Saving to return to Bunbury for 2025 Country Carnival

Bunbury will play host to one of the largest events on the West Australian surf life saving calendar as Surf Life Saving WA’s annual Country Carnival returns in 2025. The event, which will be held over the Australia Day long weekend, is expected to attract more than 1,000 athletes, spectators,…

Caution urged with beach safety risk higher on Australia Day

With tomorrow’s Australia Day public holiday bringing in a long weekend and expected warm weather, Surf Life Saving WA (SLSWA) is urging beachgoers to exercise caution to ensure a safe and enjoyable day at the beach. As of the start of summer, WA has recorded four coastal drowning deaths. SLSWA…

Christmas Day marks 43 years since beach patrols took to the skies over WA

As surf lifesavers gear up to watch over beachgoers this holiday season, the crew of Surf Life Saving WA’s (SLSWA) Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Heli Service will also take to the sky, with Christmas Day marking 43 years since the service first commenced operations. In its first season, the service, based…

Safety Remains a Priority as Abalone Season Opens

Thousands of recreational abalone fishers are expected to descend on inshore reefs this Saturday morning as the first West Coast Zone abalone fishing session of the season has been given the go-ahead. Surf Life Saving WA General Manager Lifesaving Chris Peck praised the behaviours demonstrated by abalone fishers last season,…

Increase in Drowning Deaths Prompts Start of Summer Warnings

With the arrival of summer and rising temperatures likely to see more and more West Australians heading to the beach to cool off, Surf Life Saving WA is issuing a safety warning with coastal drowning deaths on the increase. With the release today of their WA Coastal Safety Report 2023,…

Westpac Helicopter drops in on Singleton Primary School

Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter drops in on Singleton Primary School On Wednesday, more than 600 Singleton Primary School students were treated to a special visit from Surf Life Saving WA’s Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter, allowing students to meet the crew that patrols Western Australia’s beaches from the sky…

Beach Helicopter Patrols Return for the Season

Surf Life Saving WA’s state government-funded Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service returned to WA skies over the weekend as their 2023/24 patrol season commenced. The helicopters, based out of North Fremantle and Busselton, flew a combined 996 hours along WA’s coast between September 2022 and April 2023 and are…