Media Release

Increase in south west beach clearances due to sharks

At the close of the school holidays, as Surf Life Saving WA’s south west based Westpac Helicopter moved from daily to weekend patrols yesterday afternoon, the service reported a more than 65% increase in swimmers and surfers being cleared from the water due to the presence of sharks. Over the…

Carcass attracts predators

Following a public report of a whale carcass located some 500m off Peppermint Grove Beach, south of Bunbury, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) requested assistance from Surf Life Saving WA’s Westpac Helicopter to locate the carcass. “Given the propensity for these carcasses to attract sharks, being…

Surf Life Saving bracing for busy beaches as heli services return to the skies

Surf Life Saving WA’s (SLSWA) state government funded Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopters will return to the skies this Saturday, 5 September as SLSWA predict an increase in beachgoers due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. “When COVID-19 restrictions were first introduced in March, we saw people flock to our beaches as…

WA’s surf lifesavers recognised in online awards ceremony

New jet ski to patrol local beaches this summer

Trigg Island Surf Life Saving Club is gearing up for the coming patrol season as they took possession of their first jet ski this week. Trigg Island Surf Life Saving Club President Dan Humble said the new jet ski was a fantastic asset not just for the club but for…

Shark sightings up as helicopter patrols finish for the season

With a 16% increase in shark sightings and a resulting 20% increase in beach closures, Surf Life Saving WA’s (SLSWA) Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service (opens in a new tab) (WLRHS) continues to demonstrate the vital role it plays in protecting beach goers and…

Fishermen swept off rocks in Margaret River

At approximately 8.30 am on Saturday 25 April, Surf Life Saving WA’s south west Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter (WLRH) was contacted by the WA Police advising they had received a report that two fishermen had been swept off rocks near Contos Beach, approximately ten kilometres south of Margaret River.

Surf Life Saving WA announces new facility in Margaret River

Surf Life Saving WA (SLSWA) has announced the acquisition of property in Margaret River which will see them establish an operational base and development centre in the south west. Surf Life Saving WA President, Craig Smith-Gander said the approximately 1 hectare property located on Railway Terrace will provide the ideal…