our history

A black and white photograph of a group of people, likely male athletes, running on a beach in a race. They are wearing swim caps, some with goggles, and are tanned, shirtless, in swimwear. The scene captures the moment as they are in motion along the shoreline, with the ocean and distant figures in the background.

The Beginning

Surf Life Saving in Australia began in 1907, when volunteer clubs formed on Sydney's beaches in response to increasing drownings as beach bathing became more popular.

What started as local beach patrols has grown into a national movement dedicated to saving lives, promoting water safety, and supporting communities.

Over time, surf lifesaving has evolved to include modern rescue techniques, advanced training, and the use of new technologies. 

Today, Surf Life Saving Australia is one of the country’s largest volunteer organisations, with more than 300 clubs and over 200,000 members nationwide continuing a proud tradition of community service that has helped to save hundreds of thousands of lives.

Four young men riding go-karts on a race track, with one in the foreground steering and the others behind him, all in casual clothing.

Surf Life Saving in Tasmania

Surf Life Saving has a proud history in Tasmania dating back to 1921, with the establishment of Burnie Surf Life Saving Club.

Since then, Surf Life Saving Tasmania has grown into a statewide network of surf lifesaving clubs and volunteer marine rescue services, working together to keep people safe in, on and around the water.

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Historic Timeline

  • Black and white photograph of a group of young men in swimwear pushing a wooden boat into the water at the beach, with an ocean and clear sky in the background.

    1902–1921

    1902 – William Gocher forms the first lifesaving patrol at Manly Beach, NSW.

    1903 – Laws changed to allow daylight bathing.

    1907 – Surf Life Saving Australia formed.

    1910 – Bronze Medallion award introduced.

    1919 – The Burnie Tourist and Progress Association arranged with the local council to install lifesaving apparatus on South and West Beaches. Early discussions began around the establishment of a club in Tasmania.

    1921 – Tasmania’s first surf life saving club established in Burnie.

  • A group of six men dressed in vintage athletic uniforms, some wearing sleeveless shirts and shorts, with a bike in front of them, outdoors with a small building and trees in the background, likely a sports team photo.

    1927–1948

    1927 – Devonport SLSC established.

    1928 – Ulverstone SLSC established.

    1930 – Penguin SLSC established.

    1935 – Red and yellow flags introduced.

    1939 – Red and yellow caps introduced.

    1948 – Tasmanian State Centre established.

  • Black and white photo of seven young men in suits and ties sitting and standing around a desk, smiling at the camera.

    1952–1963

    1952 – Low Head SLSC established (went into recess in 1983).

    1953 – Stanley SLSC established (went into recess in 1961).

    1957 – Hobart Carlton SLSC established, the first club in southern Tasmania.

    1959 – Park Beach SLSC established.

    1960 – Expired air resuscitation, otherwise known as ‘mouth-to-mouth’, adopted by surf lifesaving.

    1963 – Clifton Beach SLSC established.

  • Five men are outdoors, smiling and gathered around a row boat, with one person in a white t-shirt and his hand on his hip.

    1965–1980

    Mid 1960s – Nippers Programs started.

    1969 – Somerset SLSC established.

    1975 – Hobart Carlton and Park Beach SLSCs merge to form Carlton Park SLSC.

    1980 – Women are welcomed to train at surf lifesaving clubs and can complete their Bronze Medallion.

  • A group of young people celebrating with a trophy, smiling.

    1984–1998

    1984 – Boat Harbour Beach SLSC established.

    1985 – Port Sorell SLSC established (went into recess in 1998).

    1991 – Bicheno SLSC established.

    1998 – Launceston LSC established.

    1998 – 50 Years of State Centre celebrated at Penguin SLSC.

  • A woman wearing a yellow jacket and a red and white cap is seen in profile at an outdoor event, with other similarly dressed women visible in the background.

    2003–2010

    2003 – Port Sorell SLSC reformed.

    2005 – Scamander SLSC established (originally East Coast SLSC).

    2007 – National Year of the Lifesaver, celebrating 100 years of surf lifesaving in Australia.

    2009 – Kingston Beach SLSC established.

    2010 – Bridport SLSC established.

    2010s – Integration of marine rescue and emergency response capability.

  • Six young people standing arm-in-arm on the beach, with ocean waves in the background, wearing uniforms in blue and black, some with red shorts featuring DHL and surf rescue logos.

    2011–2018

    2011 – Tamar Sea Rescue affiliated with SLST.

    2015 – Wynyard and Kingborough VMRs affiliate with SLST.

    2018 – Raspins Beach SLSC established (fully affiliated in 2024).

  • Rescue team members wearing red helmets and protective gear gather around a table outdoors, reviewing documents and discussing rescue operations. There are several SUVs and trees in the background.

    2020–Current

    2020 – SLSA celebrates 40 Years of Women in Surf Lifesaving.

    2021 – Centenary of the Burnie SLSC.

    2022 – Flood and Swiftwater Rescue Teams deployed to NSW floods.

    2023 – SLST chosen by SLSA as the National Centre of Excellence for Flood and Swiftwater Rescue.

    2024 – Surf Lifesavers assist with a major swiftwater rescue of a trapped rafter on the Franklin River.

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