surf lifesaving and international lifeguard information

Timmy Dorsey once said, "Lifeguarding was made for surfers. What better job could one ask for than to sit at the beach all day and get paid for it." Wise words from a legend in both surf and lifeguard circles. Lifeguards spend hours upon hours just watching the water. More often than not very little goes down, but when it does there's nobody better to have on your side. All of this study day in and day out makes lifeguard departments, clubs and agencies a great resource for the traveling surfer. They know the surf and weather patterns, they know the good little secret lobster holes and surf spots, and if you stop by as the crew's getting off you may just get invited out for a drink and some story. The following is a brief list and description of some of the more established programs around the world.

United States Lifesaving Association
America's nonprofit, professional association of beach lifeguards and open water rescuers. USLA works to reduce the incidence of death and injury in the aquatic environment through public education, national lifeguard standards, training programs, promotion of high levels of lifeguard readiness, and other means.

United States Coast Guard
The U.S. Coast Guard is a military, multi-mission, maritime service. Operating within the Department of Transportation during peacetime, the Service falls under the direction of the Secretary of the Navy upon declaration of war or when the President directs. The Coast Guard is a unique federal agency. In addition to its non-redundant yet compelling national defense role as one of the five U.S. Armed Services, the Coast Guard is charged with a broad scope of regulatory, law-enforcement, humanitarian, and emergency-response duties. The Coast Guard operates in a complex and dangerous maritime environment characterized by rapidly changing security threats at home and abroad.

California Surf Lifesaving Association
They're mission is to promote beach safety, awareness and professional open-water lifesaving standards. They're members include lifeguards, junior lifeguards, and open water rescue professionals from California, Hawaii, and Arizona. They continue to accomplish their mission through public education, junior lifeguard programs, training programs, exchange programs, competition and other means. The CSLSA works to prevent and reduce aquatic injuries, accidents and fatalities at open-water beaches.

Hawaiian Lifeguard Association
The Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division of the City and County of Honolulu's Emergency Services Department provides lifeguard services at the popular public beaches on Oahu. Presently, its lifeguard personnel are officially designated as Ocean Safety Officers.

The International Life Saving Federation
The International Life Saving Federation is the world's nonprofit association of aquatic lifesavers and aquatic lifesaving organizations. Through their own work and that of their Member Federations, they lead the global effort to reduce injury and death in, on, or around the water. They aid in the global exchange of lifesaving information, promote the best lifesaving practices, help establish lifesaving organizations in areas of the world where they are needed, act as the International Federation for lifesaving sport, and work with other international bodies with similar goals.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand
Surf Life Saving New Zealand's vision is to prevent death by drowning at New Zealand beaches. Surf Life Saving New Zealand is a non-profit community based organisation. Since 1933 they have saved over 40,000 lives. 1,926 people were saved in the 2001/2002 season. Our lifeguards performed over 140,000 hours of beach patrols throughout New Zealand.

Surf Life Saving Australia
Surf Life Saving Australia is Australia's peak watersafety and rescue authority and one of the largest volunteer organizations in the world. Their mission is to provide a safe beach and aquatic environment throughout Australia.

Surf Life Saving Queensland
Surf Life Saving in Queensland began on Coolangatta Beach on 21st February, 1909. From these very humble beginnings of a fragmented voluntary surf rescue service, Surf Life Saving Australia has now achieved world recognition for the outstanding courage and service of its members.

Surf Life Saving Victoria
Surf Life Saving Victoria is a peak water safety and rescue authority providing both pro-active and re-active volunteer and professional life saving services, on both a rostered and 24 hour call basis.

Surf Life Saving New South Wales
Since 1907, the dedicated men and women of Surf Life Saving New South Wales have given their all, providing safe beaches so that all beachgoers can enjoy this great Australian lifestyle.

South Narrabeen Surf Club
Located in Sydney, Australia, South Narrabeen Surf Club is responsible for the safety of swimmers and beach users in the areas surrounding the South Narrabeen coastline.

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