GENERAL INFORMATION
HOW TO JOIN
Club Registration/ Opening day is normally held in October/November of each year, with the first Club Training Day a couple of weeks later. If you would like to join after this date you are welcome, contact us or come down on Sundays at 9.50am and we will talk you through the process. Membership is by way of ‘Junior Member’, ‘Associate/ Official/ Parent’ or ‘Family
membership’ (2 adults and their children). As well as registering with the Club, Members must also register on the national database with Surf Lifesaving New Zealand (SLSNZ). This is important as each member is assigned a number which is used at surf carnivals and other competition events. New Lifeguards.......
Becoming a Fitzroy SLSC Patrol Member
Lifesaving is our clubs foremost concern and Fitzroy Beach is patrolled every weekend throughout the summer months – November through to mid-March – by volunteer lifeguards. Paid lifeguards patrol the beach over the week days during January and February. The Lifeguards
survey the beach and surf to locate safe swim areas and also to identify any risks to public safety
set out the red and yellow patrol flags, showing the safest place to swim
set up the IRB, rescue and first aid equipment so it is ready should any emergency arise
constantly scan the beach for any dangers, changing conditions or people in trouble
work with the general public, teaching them how to recognise dangers at the beach and helping them to prevent getting into trouble
rescue people who get into difficulty whilst in the water
maintain the communications and rescue equipment including the IRBs
Becoming a Lifeguard
To become a lifeguard you must complete your Surf Lifeguard Award (historically known as the Bronze Medallion award). You can start doing your training for this at any time but can only sit the exam for the award once you have turned 14 years old. The club usually starts training the new lifeguards once you are 14 (or if you are 13 and will be 14 during the coming season). Fitzroy SLSC runs classes during September and October, preparing you for your award. You will work through a work book with an instructor covering theory around First Aid, beach management, emergency responses, communication and lifeguarding skills. Practical skills are also taught and assessed. To gain your Surf Lifeguard Award, all of the below criteria will need to be assessed and passed.
400m pool swim
tube rescue in pool and surf environment
200m run- 200m swim- 200m run
practical CPR assessment
theory test based on information learnt from the manual
The club wants as many skilled and competent lifeguards patrolling Fitzroy beach as possible, so we will do all we can to help you get to the level required to pass the Surf Lifeguard Award.
