Yamba Surf
Lifesaving Club

Since 1908

About Our Club

Welcome to Yamba Surf Life Saving Club

Established on September 9, 1908, Yamba SLSC is one of the oldest surf life saving clubs in the world. For over a century, our volunteers have proudly patrolled Main Beach — and in all that time, no lives have been lost to drowning while patrols have been on duty.

We’re a community-focused club committed to keeping our beaches safe, training the next generation of surf lifesavers, and creating a space where people of all ages can connect, contribute, and belong.

Whether you’re a Nipper, competitor, volunteer, or visitor — there’s a place for you at Yamba SLSC.

JOIN TODAY

patrol tent on the beach with lifeguards sitting underneath it.

Our surf club is a community hub, offering venue hire for special events, a welcoming bar for social gatherings, and a members’ gym to support health and fitness year-round.

Bar

Visitors welcome

Open from 4:30pm - 7:30pm

Please check events calendar for dates.

Nachos & Burgers available

Gym

Available to Active Patrol Members & Associate Members over 25.

Membership Fees may apply

Functions

Our surf club venue is the perfect spot for your next special event — right on the beach, with stunning ocean views and a licensed bar for easy, relaxed entertaining.

Built by our community

Youth Development

Our youth programs guide members from age 12 through Resuscitation and Surf Rescue Certificates to their Bronze, helping transition nippers into confident patrolling lifesavers.

CPHER program

As an organisation that trains surf lifesavers every year in CPR and AED use, Yamba SLSC is uniquely positioned to lead a local cultural and educational change that ensures equal treatment in life-saving scenarios.

Two Lifesavers in uniform looking out at the beach

Bronze Medallion

This qualification is at the heart of Surf Life Saving, equipping members with the skills and confidence to patrol our beaches and play an active role in keeping the community safe in the surf.

Yamba Ocean Swim

The Yamba Ocean Swim is a much-loved, long-running annual fundraising event that brings our community together on the beach. For years, it’s raised vital funds while celebrating ocean swimming, local spirit, and everything we love about Yamba.

Such a great week for our club! 👏

A fantastic group of young members have just completed their Surf Rescue Certificate training, showing strong board skills and confidence in the water throughout.

You’ll be seeing Reed, Leo, Poppy, Lola, Clarry, Jude, Ziggy, Gracie, Lottie and Toby out on patrol next season — and we couldn’t be prouder.

A huge thank you to our Training Team and everyone working behind the scenes to make this happen. Special thanks to Jill, Tash, Jim, James F and Peter for their time, support and commitment to delivering the course. 💛❤️

🌊🍻 Bar Open These April School Holidays & Easter! 🍻🌊

Join us at the club for a relaxed drink by the beach these holidays!

We’ll be open:
• Thursday 2nd April
• Easter Saturday
• Friday 10th April

⏰ 4:30pm – 7:30pm

Grab a cold drink, catch up with family and friends, and enjoy the view — it really is the best spot in Yamba.

We’ll have burgers and nachos available, perfect for an easy dinner after a day on the beach.

Friday 10th April will be our final bar opening for the season, so come down and help us finish on a high! 🍹

Congratulations to our Women’s March Past team on competing at their first Australian Titles today! 👏

This marks a truly special moment, as it’s the first time since 1983 that Yamba has had a team in the March Past event at Aussies. What an incredible achievement!

Well done to this dedicated group of women who have taken on a completely new sport this year and embraced every moment of it with enthusiasm and fun. March Past is no easy feat, with its technicalities, discipline, and need for absolute precision. Top points for timing today!

A big thank you also to coach Jim Dougherty – this wouldn’t have been possible without your guidance and support.

So proud of you all! 🖤💛

Congratulations to Mostyn Brown who continued on from his Aussies gold with another win in the flags as part of the NSW team who took out the Interstate Cup this week. Great to see a Yamba member representing the Blues. Well done Mossy. #yamba #aussies2026

Not to be outdone by the outstanding efforts of our youth team at #aussies2026 our Masters team had a very successful 2 days of competition.
There were gold medals to Alan Dunne and Joe Dougherty in the 40-44 years Board Rescue, and Alan, Joe and Hugh Dougherty in the 110+ years Board Relay. Silver to the same trio in the 110+ years surf teams and bronze medals to Alan, Hugh and Justin Dean in the 130+ years Taplin Relay. More bronze medals were won by Michael Stubbs and Pete Rheinberger in the 60-64 Board Rescue, Michael, Pete and Michael Miller in the 190+ Surf teams, Dave O’Brien, Paul Davis and Dave Fleming in the 170+ surf teams and Bobbie Winger in the 70-74 Surf race.
Well done to all out Masters on a fantastic 2 days and best of luck to those in the board riding this week and our March Past team on Sunday. #yamba

As our Masters take to the water at #aussies26 we are celebrating some outstanding results from our Youth competitors yesterday at North Kirra. The club’s first ever medal in surf teams was a gold for the u/13 boys of Reed Batinovic, Ziggy O’Brien, Leo Dean and Clarry Dougherty. Mostyn Brown won gold in the u/14 beach flags, our first medal in flags since Ginger Moloney in 1966. And a bronze medal for Leo Dean and Clarry Dougherty in the u13 Board Rescue. Our u/13 Cameron relay were just out of the medals in 4th, capping off an incredible 2 days for our small team.
Great work by all involved and a huge thanks to our officials, water safety and team supporters on a fantastic finish to the season.

Day 1 of Aussies 2026 at North Kirra yesterday saw some outstanding results from our Yamba youth team. U/13 Surf race - 4th to Reed Batinovic, 5th to Leo Dean and 10th Ziggy O’Brien.
Clarry Dougherty was 5th in the u/13 board and Ella Horton made the u/14 board final.
On the beach Mostyn Brown was a semi-finalist in the u/14 beach sprint.
Good luck to everyone today in the team events and beach flags and distance runs. #aussies2026 #yamba

Yamba SLSC would like to congratulate Mostyn Brown on his selection in the NSW Surf Interstate Pathways Team — a tremendous achievement and a proud moment for our club.

Mostyn is the first Yamba member to be selected in this team since the 2006/07 season, making this recognition even more significant. His selection is a testament to the dedication, commitment and hard work he has consistently shown in his training and competition.

We are incredibly proud of Mostyn and look forward to watching him represent at the next level. Congratulations, Mostyn — thoroughly deserved.

🚧 Access Road Closure This Week 🚧

Please be advised that the access road to the Surf Club will be closed this week while Clarence Valley Council carries out important upgrade and repair works.

Pedestrian access to the club is still available via the walkway and stairs or the zig zag path.

Council is planning to reopen the road late Friday afternoon. We appreciate your patience while these improvements are completed.

⚡ Office Closure – Wednesday⚡

Due to a planned power outage, the office will be closed this Wednesday. We will reopen Thursday and Friday from 10am–1pm.

If you need to get in touch while we’re closed, please email the office and we’ll respond as soon as possible: office@yambaslsc.org.au

Thanks everyone for your understanding.

We’re excited to be running the Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC) course during the April school holidays for eligible members ready to take the next step in their surf lifesaving journey.

📅 Tuesday 14th – Friday 19th
⏰ 9:00am – 12:00pm
📍 Yamba Surf Life Saving Club

The SRC is open to financial members who turn 13 by the end of April 2026. This qualification is a key milestone, developing essential rescue skills, surf awareness and confidence in a patrol environment.

If you’re eligible and keen to get involved, please contact the club office at office@yambaslsc.org.au for more details.

A big shout out to our Education Director Keiran Lynch, who represented Yamba Surf Life Saving Club this morning on the ABC Breakfast show as part of Red & Yellow Day! ❤️💛

Keiran spoke about the importance of the CPHer program, helping raise awareness about improving bystander response to women experiencing cardiac arrest — a really important conversation to be having both locally and across the country.

Thank you to all of the incredible volunteers who helped bring our Red & Yellow Day activation to life at the Yamba Farmers & Producers Market this morning. From setting up, chatting with the community, demonstrating equipment and sharing the message, your efforts helped put this important initiative on the map both locally and on the national stage.

We’re proud to be part of the movement raising awareness and encouraging more people to step in and help when it matters most. ❤️💛

#RedAndYellowDay
#YSLSC
#CPHER
#CommunitySafety
#betweentheflags

Red & Yellow Day at Yamba ❤️💛
A big thank you to the Yamba Farmers & Producers Market at Whiting Beach for hosting Yamba SLSC as part of the inaugural Red & Yellow Day.
It was fantastic to see so many locals stop by and show their support.
We also appreciate the ongoing support of Clarence Valley Council, particularly Mayor Ray Smith and Cr Debrah Novak, for their encouragement and commitment to community safety initiatives like this.
A special thanks as well to Yamba Wholefoods, whose support has helped the Club acquire new CPR training equipment, including female-specific training mannequins. These allow us to better demonstrate and teach the techniques required to respond confidently when a woman suffers cardiac arrest.
Red & Yellow Day gave us a great opportunity to reflect on the rich history of Yamba Surf Life Saving Club and the contribution our volunteers have made to the community for well over a century.
But we also thought it was the perfect moment to look forward as well as back.
While the upcoming PSAR manual updates should help address the technical aspects of CPR and AED use for women, the bigger challenge is something we all share responsibility for — awareness and attitude.
That’s where the CP-HER initiative comes in.
CP-HER is about improving bystander response for women experiencing cardiac arrest by encouraging people to:
• Recognise the issue
• Challenge hesitation
• Overcome unconscious bias
• Act with confidence
We’re now looking for community partners — like Clarence Valley Council and local organisations — to help us take this message further across Yamba and beyond. Let us know if you’d like to be part of the solution. Because improving survival outcomes for our partners, mothers, sisters, aunts and daughters starts with awareness.
Read up on the CP-HER initiative, start a conversation, and help challenge the assumptions that sometimes stop people from acting.
Because when cardiac arrest happens, every second counts — and embarrassment is killing women.

❤️💛

#RedAndYellowDay
#YSLSC
#CPHER
#CommunitySafety
#BetweenTheFlags

We’re looking forward to seeing a sea of ❤️💛 red and yellow this Wednesday 4th March for Red & Yellow Day!

📍 Whiting Beach Carpark – Yamba Farmers & Producers Market
⏰ 7am–11am

We’re proud to have the Clarence Valley Mayor joining us, along with the ABC Breakfast Show, to help spread the word.

Come down, have a chat, check out the demo equipment and learn about the next step in our CP-HER initiative.

🚨 Did you know? Women are half as likely to receive bystander defibrillation compared to men. That’s a gap we’re determined to help close.

CP-HER is about moving beyond procedure and into community awareness and attitude change — improving bystander response to women experiencing cardiac arrest.
Help us show the Valley what Red & Yellow Day means — on and beyond the beach.

It was our U15’s turn to compete at the NSW State Surf Life Saving Titles!

Day 1 started strong with Surf and Board Races before a huge storm front paused the remainder of events. That meant a jam-packed Day 2, with our four U15s split between two arenas to compete in their individual events and literally running between them for team events — commitment at its best!

Our awesome foursome made the semi-finals in nearly every event against big fields and tough competition. Huge congratulations to Ben for making the Surf Team Final!!

Congratulations Ben, Zac, Zahli and Kayla — our mighty Team of 4! You showed incredible sportsmanship, determination and team spirit. We’re so proud of you all!

Day 2 done and dusted for our Masters at #statechamps26 and another successful one.
It was all about the team events today and the club picked up 3 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze.

Gold to the 190 years taplin relay team, 190 years surf team, and the 170 years surf team.

Silver to Pete Rheinberger and Michael Stubbs in 60/64 board rescue and Greg Goodwin and Michael Stubbs in 60/64 double ski.
Bronze to Dave Fleming and Paul Davis in 50/54 board rescue.

10th place in pointscore on 120 points with 7 gold 7 silver 3 bronze and 8 4th placings is an outstanding achievement. Well done team!

A few weeks rest and recovery before they go again at Aussie Titles on the Gold Coast.

Open competition starts tomorrow and we wish our small team of u/15’s all the best for a successful carnival. Go well.

#yamba #mysurflife

Day 1 for our Masters competitors at #statechamps26 did not disappoint with 4 gold medals, 5 silver and 2 bronze.
Michael Miller 2 gold in 65/69 surf race and tube race .
Bobbie Winger gold in 70/74 board race and silver in surf race and beach flags
Dave O’Brien gold in 60/64 rescue tube and bronze in surf race. Michael Stubbs silver in rescue tube behind Dave.
Paul Davis silver in 55/59 iron man and board race and bronze in rescue tube.
Dave Fleming 4th in 50/54 rescue tube.
Ben Plunkett 4th in 50/54 2km beach run.
Great work team and good luck again today in the team events. #yamba #mysurflife

We’re excited to be celebrating our inaugural Red & Yellow Day this Wednesday 4th March at Whiting Beach Carpark ❤️💛

Red & Yellow Day is a national Surf Life Saving initiative recognising the incredible contribution of volunteer lifesavers across Australia. For Yamba SLSC, it’s also a moment to reflect on more than 100 years of serving our community — and to look ahead at how we continue strengthening safety beyond the beach.

This year, we’ll be featured at the Yamba Farmers & Producers Market at Whiting Beach Carpark from 7-11am to mark the day and share the next step in our CP-HER initiative.

CP-HER is about moving beyond procedure and into community awareness and attitude change — improving bystander response to women experiencing cardiac arrest.

At the Markets, we’ll be promoting simple, practical messages including:

• Understanding AED pad placement considerations
• Removing hesitation, embarrassment and uncertainty
• Normalising confident, immediate action

Because improving survival outcomes for our partners, mothers, sisters, aunts and daughters starts with awareness.

Come down, have a chat, see the demonstration equipment and help us show the Valley what Red & Yellow Day means — on and beyond the beach.

❤️💛

#RedAndYellowDay #CPHER #YambaSLSC #VolunteerLifesavers #ServingSince1908 #BetweenTheFlags #CommunitySafety

Fourth and final day of the 2026 State Championships and what a finish to cap off our best ever State Champs! Congratulations Mostyn Brown, gold u/14 Male Beach Flags, Ella Horton, a very close 2nd in the u/14 Female Board, Cody Kratzmann, 3rd in the u/11 Surf Race and Reed Batinovic, Leo Dean and Toby Patricks who were 3rd in the u/13 Male Cameron Relay. Cody was also 4th in his Ironman, Clarry Dougherty 4th in the u/13 board, Reed 5th in the u/13 Surf Race, Ziggy O’Brien 6th in the same race and Leo Dean 7th in the surf race and 7th in the u/13 Ironman. While Ziggy, Clarry and Floyd were 5th in the u/13 Cameron.
If that wasn’t outstanding enough, Maverick McLennan won 5 GOLD MEDALS in the State Adaptive Championships!
So proud of all our kids who competed brilliantly all week and displayed great sportsmanship.
Good luck to our Masters and Open competitors who take to the water later this week.
#yamba #statechamps26 #mysurflife

#statechamps26 Day 3 did not disappoint with more medals for team Yamba. A dominant Gold for our u13 Male Surf Team of Leo Dean, Reed Batinovic, Ziggy O’Brien and Clarry Dougherty and a bronze medal for Mostyn Brown in the u/14 Male Beach Sprint.
There were also plenty of great performances in the individual events with lots of kids through to finals day tomorrow. Another great day and wishing everyone the best of luck tomorrow.
#yamba #mysurflife

Day 2 of #statechamps26 and more medals! Our u/9’s were on fire in the surf with a gold for Zara O’Brien in the u/9 Female Surf Race. Austin Dunn (2nd) and Barry Clark (3rd) also excelled in the u/9 Male Surf Race.
Some outstanding results in the team events today from our older kids as well. Great work everyone and good luck again tomorrow. #mysurflife #yamba

A great start to the 2026 State Championships at Swansea Belmont today with gold for our u/10 Girls Surf Team of Stella Dean, Alice Patricks, Delilah Doyle and Zara O’Brien. This was followed up by a silver medal for Clarry Dougherty and Leo Dean in the u/13 Board Rescue. The u/10 boys surf team also picked up points with a 5th placing. Great work everyone and good luck again tomorrow. #yamba

🍻 Friday Night at the Surf Club!🌊

The bar is open this Friday night and we’d love to see you there!

Kick back after the week that was, catch up with friends, and enjoy a relaxed evening overlooking Main Beach. Whether you’re a member, volunteer, parent or local supporter – everyone’s welcome.

Cold drinks ✔️
Great company ✔️
Best view in town ✔️

Swing by from 4:30pm and start your weekend the right way.

See you at the club! 🙌

What a season it’s been! 🌊☀️

Our Sunday Nippers program for 25/26 has officially wrapped, and we couldn’t be prouder of every one of our young nippers. From first wades between the flags to board paddles, beach sprints and learning vital safety skills – the growth, confidence and teamwork on display each week has been incredible.

A massive thank you to our JAC committee, age managers and water safety crew. You give up your time, energy and weekends for the kids and the program simply wouldn’t happen without you ❤️

We’re now cheering on a strong team of competitors heading to SLSNSW State Championships at Swansea Belmont this week. Travel safe, race hard and enjoy every minute – your club is behind you all the way!

We can’t wait to celebrate the season together at Presentation Day and the Nippers AGM on Sunday 1st March. See you there 🎉👏

🌈 Rainbow Beaches 2026🌈

Today we celebrate inclusion, respect and the message that there is a place for everyone in Surf Life Saving.

A huge shout out to Patrol 4 for brightening up the beach this morning while keeping our community safe between the flags. We’re proud to stand together, support one another and welcome all.

Because diversity makes us stronger 💛

lifesaverswithpride slsnsw
#RainbowBeaches #Inclusion #YambaSLSC

This Saturday 14th February we’re celebrating Rainbow Beaches Day at Yamba SLSC 🌈

We’re proud to stand for inclusion and for safe, equal and fair treatment for everyone who walks through our doors and onto our beach. Surf lifesaving is for all, and our diversity is what makes our community stronger.

Our Patrol Teams 4 & 5 will be brightening up the beach from 9am-5pm while keeping everyone safe between the flags. Where your brightest brights and come on down.

Let’s come together, show our support and make it a day to remember.

#RainbowBeaches #Inclusion #StrongerTogether

We’re incredibly proud to congratulate Joel Wiseman on receiving the Emergency Services Medal in the Australia Day Honours List on 26 January 2026.

Joel gained his Bronze Medallion with Yamba in 2005 and has since made an outstanding contribution to surf lifesaving at club, branch and state levels.

His leadership journey began early. At 15 he was part of the Youth Opportunity Makers program, later returning as a facilitator, and by 16 he was already serving as Director of Education before moving into the Club Vice-Captain role.

Joel has continued to build an incredible record across operations, emergency management and major event delivery. Having served terms as Director of Lifesaving and Deputy President of SLSNSW, he remains dedicated to making sure our members are trained, supported and ready to keep our communities safe.

Congratulations Joel – so well deserved 👏

Cadets brought the energy! 💪 A fantastic turn out to our Youth Strength & Conditioning session this week.

🌊 Expression of Interest – Intensive Bronze Medallion (BM) Course 🌊

We’re planning an Intensive Bronze Medallion course delivered over two consecutive weekends:

📅 14–15 February 2026
📅 21–22 February 2026

Unlike our last intensive (which ran mid-week), this format is designed to suit people who can commit to two big weekends back-to-back, ideally ahead of the seasonal weather that has disrupted traditional BM courses in recent years. The aim is two clear weekends — with a third held in reserve if required.

What this intensive looks like
• This course is aimed at candidates who already bring solid water confidence and board skills from day one
• Candidates who need additional skill development can still be accommodated, with extra training before and/or after the intensive weekends
• First Aid and Advanced Resuscitation Techniques (ART) may be able to be incorporated into the overall program (subject to facilitator availability)
• Online theory will need to be completed before assessment
• You’re more than welcome to let us know what other skills and experience you bring with you when submitting your EOI — we value the broader capability people bring into the club

First step – register your interest

👉 Submit your Expression of Interest by 1 February via the following JotForm link:

https://form.jotform.com/260238251491050

Please note: the course will only proceed if minimum participant numbers are met.

Successful completion enables members to patrol as active surf lifesavers.

SRC → BM Transition

Already hold a Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC) and will be 15 by 29 February? - the SRC-to-BM transition focuses on building endurance, rescue complexity, leadership, and decision-making — bridging the gap to full Bronze Medallion patrol responsibilities.

If you’re keen, curious, or unsure whether this intensive format suits you, reach out or drop a comment — happy to talk through pathways and support options 👍

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Yamba Surf Lifesaving Club