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Member Pathways Surf Sports

Surf Sports

Surf sports play a pivotal role in the surf life saving movement and are unique in that, unlike any sport, their intent is to aid in developing the skills necessary to carry out surf life saving’s core purpose, saving lives on our beaches.

Explore some of the roles and opportunities below and take the next step in your life saving journey!
Event Calendar
Competitors racing in a beach sprint at a surf life saving carnival

athlete

Every year, thousands of members use their lifesaving skills in a competitive sporting environment. Carnivals at a club, regional, state, and national level give athletes the opportunity to use their skills in a competitive sporting environment across a range of disciplines including Ironman, lifesaving, surfboats, pool rescue and IRB racing.

Competitive opportunities are available for athletes from our Little Nippers (U8-U9) through to Masters

In addition to carnivals, there are opportunities for selection in state representative teams across a range of disciplines, and beyond that, even opportunities to represent Australian in international competition.

Speak to your club to get involved, and keep an eye on our event calendar (opens in a new tab).

Download the 2026/27 Surf Sports calendar
Surf sports officials at a carnival

Officials & Referees

Officials and referees are integral to the running of surf sports competitions, ensuring they are delivered in a safe and secure environment while maintaining rules and regulations. Roles of officials can include marshalling competitors, starting races, recording results, setting the courses and more.

Our officials operate under the National Officiating Accreditation Scheme (NOAS), administered by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC). Officials can progress through structured tiers from entry-level club environments up to national championships.

To become an official, you are first required to complete a Competition Officials course. This course is conducted by SLSWA and is advertised on our website. There are no special skills required for this role prior to completing the Competition Officials course.

If you are interested in starting your officiating journey, speak to your clubs Director of Education. For our youth members, you can sign up to our Youth Officials course and get started straight away.

A surfboat crew rowing out through the surf

coaches

Surf sports coaches play a crucial role in developing, inspiring, and leading athletes to achieve their goals in surf life saving competition and beyond. Hundreds of coaches spend hours on the beach and in the water each year.

They do much more than just teach technical skills. Coaches ensure that competitors develop the physical strength, agility, and mental toughness needed to excel in their chosen discipline, which in turn makes them more capable and confident they are when performing vital, real-world rescues on the beach.

Beyond building athletes, coaches serve as important mentors who help shape the culture of their clubs. They instil essential lifelong values like teamwork, discipline, and resilience in competitors of all ages, from young Nippers to Masters athletes.

If you’re interested in pursuing a coaching role, speak to your club’s Surf Sports Director. For our youth members, you can sign up to our Youth Coaches course and get started straight away.

A coach working with a surf squad on the beach

surf sports Clinics

Throughout the year, there are various opportunities for athletes to brush up on their competitive skills under the guidance and tutelage of experienced athletes and coaches.

Delivered each year at the start of the season, our Fuel to Go & Play Surf Squad Series provides specialised surf and beach coaching opportunities in a fun, supportive and encouraging environment.

Open to all SLSWA members in the U13–U15 age groups, the series consists of three-hour coaching sessions held at different beach locations throughout the season, giving athletes the opportunity to develop their surf sports skills, gain race experience, and learn from experienced coaches and elite WA athletes in a variety of surf conditions and environments.

This opporutnity is promoted via our social media and eNewsletters, or keep an eye on our events calendar.

Events calendar

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