Join the Woodside Jet Ski Program

The Jet Ski Program is an integral element of Surf Life Saving WA’s life saving services. Got what it takes? Then join us!

Do you have what it takes?

The Woodside Jet Ski Program is an integral element of Surf Life Saving WA’s life saving services, providing an additional resource for clubs to deliver effective lifesaving patrols, as well as provide support to external agencies (such as the Water Police) through emergency response; and search and rescue missions. Currently, 42 jet skis are available at 22 locations across WA to deliver these capabilities.

Woodside Jet Ski Program operators are volunteer members who undertake initial training and ongoing personal development to ensure that they have the skills and confidence to handle a powerful piece of rescue equipment in often challenging conditions.

Operators become members of teams that function in a range of different capacities that align with the skills and experience of the operators.

The Jet Ski Program is an integral element of Surf Life Saving WA’s life saving services. Got what it takes? Then join us!

Interested in joining the Woodside Jet Ski Program?

We guarantee that your journey:

  • Will challenge your skills and abilities
  • Will provide you with rewarding experiences
  • Will make a difference to saving lives on the WA coast
  • Will offer you another pathway within surf life saving

Find out about

Opportunities to;

  • Perform jet ski patrols with your club Patrol for your club
  • Join a support operations team and participate in water safety activities
  • Become a member of an elite emergency response team

Training and Development;

  • What you’ll need to get started
  • What the training and endorsement process entails
  • The ongoing commitment you’ll need to make to maintain your endorsement
  • The different participation opportunities on offer

In 2023/2024, the Woodside Jet Ski Program teams performed:

9 search & rescue taskings

263 trained and endorsed operators

2.358 patrol hours

How do I get involved in the Woodside Jet Ski Program?

The first step to getting involved is to become an endorsed Jet Ski Operator. This requires the following steps/qualifications:

Prerequisites – what you’ll need before you start jet ski training

To commence the jet ski training program members are required to:

  • Hold a proficient Bronze Medallion;
  • Hold a Recreational Skippers Ticket (RST) – the minimum qualification needed to operate a powerboat (including IRBs and jet ski’s) in Western Australia. For further information, check out the WA Department of Transport website;
  • Be at least 18 years of age;
  • Have completed at least one season as a patrolling lifesaver.

Become an endorsed SLSWA Jet Ski Operator

Although a person may legally drive a jet ski in a recreational capacity in WA once they have attained a RST, to operate a SLSWA jet ski in an operational capacity they must also attain a SLSWA endorsement to operate in a surf life saving context.  To achieve endorsement, the first step is to achieve the SLSWA Rescue Water Craft (RWC) Certificate. This is done by completing:

  • A theory exam – candidates must complete a multi choice assessment on the content of the WA Rescue Water Craft (RWC) Operators Manual;
  • A practical assessment – candidates must demonstrate that they a competent at operating a jet ski and performing emergency response manoeuvres in a range of surf conditions and scenarios;
  • Logged operating time – candidates must complete at least 20 hours of supervised and logged operating time.

Once you have completed the above steps you will be recognised as an endorsed SLSWA Jet Ski Operator and will be eligible to start your journey in the Jet Ski Program.

Download PDF for more details about pathways.

Which Woodside Jet Ski Program can I join?

Once you become involved in the Woodside Jet Ski Program there are a range of participation levels available to you.

Regardless of the activities you undertake, services you provide, and the teams that you join, you will be required to annually maintain your endorsement status with SLSWA.  This may involve:

  • Keeping of service and training activity logs; and/or
  • Undertaking annual skill maintenance sessions.

The 3 levels of involvement, entry, and skill maintenance requirements are as follows:

  1. Lifesaver Jet Ski Program – these teams operate at a local club level and provide patrol services and support to club lifesaving patrol activities;
  2. Support Operations Teams – members of the support operations teams provide water safety services at a range of events and activities held throughout WA.
  3. Emergency Response Teams – the elite emergency response teams operate on a state level and are on call to provide tasking for emergency call outs at any time.