Development programs

Two surf rescue team members in yellow uniforms and red caps with 'SURF RESCUE' written on them, using communication devices outdoors, with one holding binoculars.

Develop your skills. Strengthen our movement.

Supporting member development is key to ensuring we have capable, confident volunteers to lead and deliver Surf Life Saving into the future

Surf Life Saving Tasmania offers a range of opportunities to support the development of our members.

These opportunities are designed to help members build:

  • Leadership capability

  • Lifesaving skills and operational experience

  • Confidence to take on new roles within their club or the broader movement

Rescue team members simulating CPR in a training session to a person lying on the sand at the beach, with one team member holding an oxygen mask towards the person's face.

Development pathways

Members are encouraged to engage in development opportunities at all stages of their journey, including:

  • Leadership development programs

  • Lifesaving training experiences

  • Governance and club management development

  • National and state-based initiatives

Programs may vary each year based on the needs of the organisation and members and will be announced via Newsletter and social media. Subscribe, follow or get in touch for more information about development opportunities.

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Development Calendar

programs

  • Group of children and teenagers, posing outdoors in front of trees, wearing matching blue and black T-shirts with 'Junior Lifesaver Camp' logo, smiling for a group photo.

    Junior Lifesaver Camp (JLC)

    The Junior Lifesaver Camp (JLC) is a key development opportunity for cadet members (aged 13 to 15 years) as they graduate from Nippers. Through a mix of activities, challenges and practical learning, participants gain valuable insights into their next steps in Surf Life Saving.

    Find out More
  • Group of young adults, teenagers, and adults smiling and posing for a photo outdoors in front of a modern building with a glass and metal facade. The group is arranged in two rows, with some kneeling in front and others standing behind.

    Emerging Volunteer Leaders Program

    Surf Life Saving Tasmania (SLST) in partnership with the SLS National Centre of Excellence for Cultural Leadership (CoE) piloted the new Emerging Volunteer Leaders Program in 2026, designed to support and develop future leaders in Surf Life Saving.

    Learn More
  • A large group of people, primarily young adults, are standing on a beach during the day, with the ocean and sky in the background. They are dressed in matching shirts and shorts, likely participating in a lifeguarding or beach safety development camp.

    Lifesaving Development Camp

    The Lifesaving Development Camp (or commonly known as 'Dev Camp')  has been delivered as an intensive, live-in program since 2014 focused on developing young members into confident, capable and “rescue-ready” lifesavers.

    Learn More
  • Two surf rescue team members in yellow jackets and red shorts standing on a beach, one pointing towards the ocean near a yellow and red rescue flag, with rescue equipment on the sand.

    Volunteer Leadership eLearning

    Surf Life Saving provides a Volunteer Leadership Online eLearning Module, which focuses on developing practical leadership skills for members across all roles and levels — from new leaders through to experienced volunteers.

    Find out more
A person in a yellow tank top and white swim cap paddling on a yellow kayak in the ocean, smiling with a blue sky overhead.

Our culture & values

We are working to build a culture where:

  • It’s normal to talk about wellbeing

  • Members support and look out for each other

  • Support is easy to access

  • Everyone feels included and respected

Our values — safety, trust, respect, caring and responsibility — guide how we support our people.