Patrols
Keeping our beach safe
2025 - 2026 Season Dates
Saturday 11th October 2025 - Monday 6th April 2026
For up to date information or other information on patrolled beaches please visit the beach safe website: Click Here
A Red and Yellow Patrol Flag will be flown on the Goolwa Tower when Lifesavers and Lifeguards are on duty.
Please always swim between the red and yellow flags when they are erected on the beach, it is the safest area to do so.
Swimming outside the patrolled area increases your chances of being caught in a rip.
Remember the further you are away from the patrolled area, the longer it takes for lifesavers to help you if you get into trouble.
Weekends and Public Holidays – Goolwa Surf Life Saving Club Volunteers
Volunteer Surf Life Savers from Goolwa Surf Life Saving Club will operate patrols
Saturday, Sundays and Public Holiday - 12 pm and 5pm
Christmas Day - 2pm to 5pm
Patrol hours may be extended due to hot weather and beach attendance on the day.
In addition Rescue Water Craft (Jet Ski's) may operate beyond these hours patrolling beaches from Victor Harbor to The River Mouth.
Weekdays - Australian Lifeguard Service
Monday 1st December 2025 - Thursday 2nd April 2026 - 12pm - 6pm
The State Government, as part of the Algal bloom response has funded professional Lifeguards during the weekdays for the 2025 - 2026 season.
Two Lifeguards will predominately be based at Goolwa Beach, but may relocate to another South Coast beach based upon the presenting Algae Bloom conditions on the day.
The public will be kept informed of any movements via social media platforms and through the Surf Life Saving website Surf Life Saving SA
Become a Surf Life Saver
WHAT IS A SURF LIFE SAVER?
A surf lifesaver is a trained volunteer that patrols beaches. They undertake a number of roles including providing safety information to the public, administering first aid and emergency care, and performing aquatic rescues. Being a surf lifesaver is satisfying, fun and rewarding. You can lead a fit and healthy lifestyle, gain new skills and qualifications, compete in surf sports events, make new friends, and give back to your local community. You may even save someone’s life one day.
WHAT'S INVOLVED?
To become a surf lifesaver you need to join your local surf life saving club. To wear the red and yellow and go on patrol, you need to gain your Surf Rescue Certificate, Bronze Medallion or hold a senior first aid certificate and complete online training specific to Surf Life Saving such as radio communication and observation skills. You will be allocated to a patrol group and roster – each club has different requirements. If being on the beach isn’t your thing or you aren’t feeling confident, there are many roles in the club that ensure that our patrols are able to continue so please reach out to find out more.
For more information on courses, see Surf Life Saving SA’s course information page: https://surflifesavingsacourses.com/course-details/?course_id=105384&course_type=w
Each year, every patrolling member needs to undergo skills maintenance to ensure the currency of their skills. Please talk with the club educator officer to find out what's involved and how to complete this so you are able to continue patrolling. We welcome members from other clubs if they would like to join us for a day or hold dual membership. Please reach out to the club captain for more information or to let them know you are wanting to join a patrol.
Resuscitation Chart
Download Chart
Bronze Medallion
Download info
Operations App
Download App
Video Guides
Watch videos
Nippers
For more information on our Nippers program and range of activities for current and prospective members.
Youth
For more information on our Youth program and range of activities for past, current and prospective members.
Patrols
Find everything you need to know about becoming a member of our SLSC patrol groups.
New Members
If you would like to join the Goolwa SLSC as a new member, click the JOIN NOW button to complete the new members form.
Joining Instructions
Additional Information
Display
Categories
ACTIVE - ACTIVE 18 years +
Patrolling member holding Bronze Medallion
ACTIVE - AWARD 18 years +
Patrolling member holding First Aid Award
YOUTH - ACTIVE15 –18 yrs
Patrolling member holding Bronze or other Award
YOUTH - CADET 13 –15 years
Patrolling member holding SRC, other awards
Member with no awards.
ASSOCIATE - GENERAL
Social members of the club or
Expired award members -don’t wish to patrol or
Members of the club, who wish to volunteer to support life saving operations through other functions of the club.
ASSOCIATE - ASSOCIATE
Non-Award Members in a define role (Age Manager), or hold positions on the Board of Management or a Club Committee.
JUNIOR - JUNIOR ACTIVITY 5 –13 years
Member between Age of 5 -13 yrs, not holding SRC Award
Age Classification
Age of a member is of the 30th of September each season. If a members birthday falls during the season they will remain in the age group they were as of the end of September.
Example: If a child is 10 years old as of the 30th of September and their birthday is the 4th of December and turn 11 during the season, they will remain in the same age group (10 year old age group) for the season.
For awards Surf Rescue Certificate / Bronze Medallion the age is classified as their actual age at date of examination.
Junior Program (Nipper)
An Adult family member must join with the child member participating in the Junior (nipper program). Age is of the 30th of September.
Sports Vouchers
In Season 2020 / 2021 about 40% of presented Sports Vouchers were rejected by the Office of Recreation and Sport, as they had been previously used to pay membership fees for another sport. It is a requirement of Surf Life Saving Australia that all members are financial to ensure Insurance coverage. It is a requirement that all members are financial and if membership fees are outstanding this may lead to the members insurance being compromised.
Vouchers submitted BEFORE 31ST OCTOBER
Sports Vouchers must be submitted at time of registration, to ensure vouchers can be processed in time. If any vouchers are rejected then it provides member time to pay the full membership fees prior to the commencement of the program.
All payments by Sports Vouchers must be approved by the 31st October, prior to the program starting.
AFTER 1st NOVEMBER
Returning or new members joining after the 1st November will be required to pay full fees. Sport Vouchers may be submitted and the club will refund the money to the member once approved.
COME AND TRY members submitting sports vouchers have until the 30th November. If rejected then it provides a member time to pay the full membership fees prior to the commencement of the program. Sports Voucher program closes at the 30th December.
All outstanding membership fees must be paid in full before any member participates in the junior or youth programs.
How to Join
For current members wanting to renew their membership, proceed to the MEMBERS AREA and renew your membership.
Renewal Instructions
Membership Fees
Display
Family (of same immediate family)
2 Adults (Active, General, Associate) and 2 children (under 18 years) - $350
2 Adults with 3 Children or more (same family) capped at $400
Sports Vouchers may be used, see clause.
Age defined as on 30th of September
It is a mandatory requirement for a parent to join with a child in nipper program.
Single Parent Family
1 Adult (Active/General, Associate) and 1 child under 18 years
Sports Vouchers may be used, see clause.
Age defined as on 30th of September.
It is a mandatory requirement for a parent to join with a child in nipper program.
$180
Additional child of same immediate family as above
Under 13 years (nippers)
Sports Vouchers may be used, see clause.
It is a mandatory requirement for a parent to join with a child in nipper program.
$80
Student
Full time Education (Uni / Tafe)
Must produce Full Time Student Card
$90
Youth Members
13 –17 years
Age defined as on 30th of September
$90
General Member
Social Member Associate Member (non-award)
18 years over
$80
Active / Award Member
Patrolling members over 18 years
New Award members includes first issue of patrol shirt / shorts upon completion of award
$150
COME AND TRY Nippers only
COME AND TRY Nippers only
2 sessions only. If decide to join 'Come and Try', this fee will be deducted from full membership fee.
Covers cost of mandatory requirements to have a high visibility rash top and cap. Retained by child to keep. (COVID19 no garments to be shared)
$40
CARNIVAL FEES
Due to several members having outstanding carnival fees from last season.
All Carnival Fees MUST be paid at time of nomination and prior to close of entry.
No payment of fees means no entry.
If a member decides to withdraw from the carnival after entry, no refund will occur UNLESS State Centre refunds the entry fee to the club.
