Friendships forged beyond the flags at Junior Lifesaver Camp 2026

Monday 19 October 2026

Forty-six young lifesavers from nine clubs across Tasmania came together for three days of challenges and new connections at the 2026 Junior Lifesaver Camp (JLC). Led by Rhiannon Bomford (Camp Coordinator) and Romany Paine (Deputy Camp Coordinator) and supported by the 12-person Management and Leadership team, the weekend was a great success.

On the beach, Tasmania’s junior members mostly see each other as rivals at surf sports carnivals. This year’s Junior Lifesaver Camp gave them a different kind of weekend: one built around friendship, teamwork and belonging, away from competition.

Deputy Camp Coordinator Romany Paine said the camp is about showing young members how big the lifesaving community really is.

“These participants are the next generation of lifesavers in Tasmania. Bringing them together and giving them the opportunity to build connections and friendships is important for keeping the lifesaving movement alive,” she said.

“It is really special to see these participants come together and realise they are part of such a large organisation that has a wealth of members.”

Building new connections started with a program that mixed new activities with favourites from previous years. Participants took on the giant swing, the Rescue Challenge and the new Sky-High course, which had them climbing ladders and poles in harnesses and trusting their group to belay them.

“These activities encourage them to work together, communicate, step outside their comfort zones and most importantly, have fun,” Paine said.

One Sky-High moment summed up the weekend. A participant was climbing a tall pole, aiming to stand on top and jump to touch an object hanging in the air. Near the top, they started talking himself out of it and wanted to climb back down stating “I can’t do it.”.

Participants nearby stopped what they were doing and started cheering them on. Those who had already finished the challenge recommended tips and strategies to help the young lifesaver complete the course. When they returned to the ground, they were applauded and given high fives from the whole group as well as filled with a sense of pride for the achievement

“It showed that in a short amount of time, these participants were connecting and working with one another to get each other through the different challenges,” Paine said.

“Seeing their level of encouragement and support for people they had just met a few hours prior was amazing, and quite rewarding as a leader and manager of the camp.”

The big activities drew plenty of excitement, but for many campers the second night was the one they’ll remember. The group went down to the beach to play games, explore and relax, then gathered around a campfire to roast marshmallows and swap stories.

“While the big activities are always exciting, it is often these simple moments of laughing together, sharing stories and just enjoying each other’s company that make the camp so special,” Paine said.

Those moments made a big difference by the end of the weekend. On day one, some participants knew only people from their own club (or no one), whilstothers were returning to lifesaving after a few years away from surf sports. For Paine, watching that change over the three days was the most rewarding part.

“By day three, seeing everyone laughing, having fun and leaving with new friendships and memories made was such a special feeling,” she said.

“Knowing that we have helped create an environment where young people can feel comfortable, make friends and build connections with others from across the state makes all the hard work worth it.”

She hopes those connections last well beyond the weekend.

“I hope that when participants and leaders cross paths again, whether competing on the beach, out patrolling or at future camps, they can reconnect, share a laugh and look back on the time they spent together at JLC,” she said.

“Beyond the competition, it is the people and the friendships we make along the way that really matter.”

SLST would like to extend congratulations to the entire Leadership and Management team for their work behind-the-scenes in the lead up and during the weekend that made JLC such a success and memorable for all participants.