Patrol

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Elwood Life Saving Club’s volunteer lifesavers patrol Elwood foreshore on weekends and public holidays between November and April.

What does it take to become a lifesaver?

Patrollers are assigned to a team and typically cover about nine shifts each season lasting between five and six hours each.  Prospective patrollers can gain their surf rescue certificate or bronze medallion through the club.  Members undertaking the surf rescue certificate are required to complete a 200m swim in five minutes or less and must be at least 13 years of age on the date of their final assessment.  Those undertaking the bronze medallion are required to complete a 400m swim in nine minutes or less and must be aged at least 15 years on the date of the final assessment.

Each award also requires successful completion of theory components covering areas such as surf awareness and skills, resuscitation, first aid, radio operations, communication and rescue techniques.  Regular training programs are provided to update and improve lifesaving skills.

All patrolling members must complete an annual proficiency assessment, called skills maintenance, which keeps their lifesaving awards current.  This includes the successful completion of a theory component prior to attending a practical assessment.

If you have a question about patrolling at Elwood, including becoming a patrol member, please see our membership page or contact the club captain via clubcaptain@elwoodlsc.com.au. Our latest lifesaving courses are listed on the Training/Courses page.

When are lifesaving patrols?

Patrol times for the season are split up into three different patrol periods.

PeriodStartsEndsPatrol Times
PreNovember 9, 2024December 24, 202412pm-5pm
PeakDecember 25, 2024February 23, 202512pm-6pm
PostMarch 1, 2025April 21, 202512pm-5pm

Patrol roster

The patrol roster outlines each member’s patrol team and their rostered days on duty.  It is vital members check the roster carefully.  Members who cannot attend on their rostered day must find a replacement and notify their patrol captain or vice captain in advance.

The Elwood Life Saving Club Member’s Facebook page may assist in helping find a patroller to fill in a shift.

All patrollers must arrive at the clubhouse a half hour before their rostered shift to assist with set up and allow a half hour after the end of patrol for pack up.

Members who have gained their surf rescue certificate or bronze medallion and are interested in being assigned a patrol team are urged to contact the club captain via clubcaptain@elwoodlsc.com.au.

Patrol 1Patrol 2Patrol 3Patrol 4Patrol 5
November 9November 10November 16November 17November 23
November 24November 30December 7December 1December 8
December 15December 14December 21December 22December 26
December 28December 29January 1January 5January 4
January 11January 12January 19January 18January 25
January 26January 27February 1February 2February 8
February 9February 15February 23February 16February 22
March 1March 2March 8March 10March 9
March 15March 16March 22March 23March 29
March 30 April 5April 6April 13April 12
April 18April 19April 20April 21April 25