21/06/2026
✨AOE 2026 – CLUB OTY ✨
Words from Surf Lifesaving SA…
Congratulations to our 2026 Club of the Year – West Beach Surf Life Saving Club 🩵💙
Our back-to-back winners continue to set the benchmark for inclusion, capability, and community impact.
With 659 members, the club’s focus this season remained clear: making it easier to be a lifesaver, while ensuring there is a place for everyone in surf lifesaving.
The club demonstrated outstanding resilience during severe algal bloom conditions, rapidly transitioning to pool-based training with Immanuel College. This ensured continuity of lifesaving education and resulted in nearly three times more awards than any other club in the state, significantly strengthening patrol capability.
Inclusion is embedded across all operations, with structured engagement programs creating access for Afghan, Pakistani, Sudanese, Chinese, Russian, Indonesian and Filipino communities. As a result, members from diverse backgrounds are now actively contributing across patrols, training, and leadership, strengthening a culture that embraces diversity while giving back to the community.
Another major highlight was the launch of Tidebreakers, a six-week Adaptive Nippers program for children aged 5–13 with disabilities, which, through strong participation and positive feedback, has enabled genuine inclusion and expansion of opportunity.
Youth development also remains a key strength, with 29% of members being Nippers and youth aged 5–15. A 93% retention rate in Under 13s particularly reflects strong engagement, with programs such as the Westies Crew providing a clear progression pathway from Nippers through to patrol and leadership roles.
In surf sports, the club’s impact was further recognised through being named Overall State Champion Club, alongside Junior Club of the Year, Masters State Champion Club, and Pool Rescue State Champion Club.
Congratulations to West Beach President Graeme Cunningham and the members at West Beach for creating such a connected community where people belong, contribute, and progress.
🩵💙
