ISSUE 03

Summer has begun, and the season has officially started! This issue will look into how our lifesavers have kept the beach safe for 115 years. We also take a look at how the first patrols of the season have gone!

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GENERAL NEWS

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115 YEARS LATER

The 2025 - 2026 season marks a significant milestone for the club. For 115 years, Illawarra locals have been devoted to keeping Port Kembla Beach safe.

In the early 1900s, surf bathing gained popularity in Australia as a way to cool down from the

summer heat. Just three years after the first Surf Lifesaving Club was developed in Australia, Port Kembla Surf Bathing Club was formed on the 9th August, 1910. With minimal experience the club built its clubhouse and gained advice from Wollongong Club on conducting rescues. In the 1910 - 1911 season, the club was comprised of 128 members with 27 of them being women, a far cry from the staggering 403 members today.

From the beginning, Port Kembla Surf Bathing Club was about responsibility, leadership and community which was evident in the club’s team spirit. Sporting the club colours navy blue and red, members took part in their first surf sports carnival on the 17th February, 1911. Inspired by their success, they traveled to the Manly Carnival two months later where they took home second place in the Grand Parade. Port Kembla became prominent competitors

in many surf carnivals and hosted the 1963 State Championships which were a huge success.  It was in 1939 that Port Kembla Surf Bathing Club became how we know it today, the Port Kembla SLSC. Although the name and club colours may have changed, lifesavers have been able to maintain the club’s goal of keeping Port Kembla Beach safe. Through responsibility, leadership and community Port Kembla Surf Lifesaving Club has successfully addressed beach safety for 115 years.

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TRAINING COURSES

Training courses for IRB crew or driver will begin shortly. Participants will learn how to safely operate the craft, signals, positioning and how to conduct search and rescue operations. Training will be conducted by highly experienced lifesavers Nathan Boscaro and Jonah Kaisar. Participants will be notified about dates soon. 

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MOMENTS ON PATROL

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28/09/2025

Patrol 10 arrived at the beach bright and early for the first patrol of the season. Members were also invited down to the beach for a skills maintenance day, where they were able to refresh their knowledge, practice essential skills, and connect with fellow members before the season gets underway. Afterwards, they enjoyed a delicious sausage sizzle freshly cooked on the barbeque. 

05/10/2025

Patrols 9 and 1 took many preventative actions by continually moving people back into the red and yellow flags. They also actively made sure no one got swept into Paddie’s Rip.

06/10/2025

Patrol 6 was treated to a sunny day while looking after the beach on the public holiday.

12/10/2025

A sunny and clear day was amongst Patrol 2 and 8. They efficiently controlled the water; however, failed to stop a beach umbrella from blowing away. A dark blue beach umbrella took to the sky, soaring up and down the beach before taking a swim amongst the surfers. A lifesaver successfully rescued the beach umbrella before any harm was caused. 

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SPORTS

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Training is underway as competitors from Port Kembla prepare for the first surf sports carnival in mid December. This year Port Kembla is proud to have five surf boat crews competing: three reserve male, one reserve female and one open female teams. 

Get to know each of these teams in the upcoming blogs!

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NIPPERS

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A reminder that Nippers proficiencies will be this week, with more information coming soon!

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COMING UP...

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18-19/10/2025 - Nippers proficiencies

19/10/2025 - Patrol 7 (9:00 am - 5:00 pm)

26/10/2025 - Patrol 3 (9:00 am - 5:00 pm)

1/11/2025 - Surf Club season kick off