Beach Safety Information

Swim Between The Flags

There are 129 patrolling Surf Life Saving Clubs in NSW - over 19,000 volunteer lifesavers patrolling NSW beaches this season.

Planning on visiting coastal beaches- check the Beachsafe Website/App for your nearest patrolled beach including beach operational hours, beach/surf safety information on rip currents and the weather conditions throughout the day.

Always supervise children in and around the water. Swim with a friend.
Know your limitations and abilities in and around the water. Avoid entering the water if your a poor swimmer or cannot swim.

BeachSafe Website

If Someone Is In Trouble

Call 000 and ask for police - advise the operator of an in water emergency, location situation and number of people in trouble.

Look for a lifesaver/ lifeguard for assistance.

Never enter the water without a flotation device.

Rips....DON'T PANIC

If you are caught in a rip current, conserve your energy, float with current, raise your arm for assistance. Call for help….DON'T PANIC

Other options include swimming parallel to the shore to breaking waves on shallow sand banks, that may assist you back to shore.

Never swim against a rip current.

Make smart choices this holiday season, SWIM BETWEEN THE RED AND YELLOW FLAGS where lifesavers and lifeguards are supervising the swimming public and monitoring the changing surf conditions.

What Is A Rip?

About The Club

Helensburgh-Stanwell Park Surf Life Saving Club was formed on 11 February 1908 and is ranked among the top 10 oldest surf life saving club in the world.

The Club patrols Stanwell Park Beach, the most northern beach on the Illawarra Coast. At the northern end of the beach is Bald Hill a popular place for Hang-gliding. Despite being located in Stanwell Park the club maintains strong community ties with the surrounding suburbs of Helensburgh, Stanwell Tops and Otford. The Club draws members from the local surrounds and many areas outside the local area including Engadine, Heathcote, Waterfall, Sutherland Shire, Wollondilly Shire, inner Sydney Suburbs, and up and down the coast.

With around 100 active patrolling members, 180 junior "nippers" members and the balance being made up of associate members the club is a strong force in life saving, locally and throughout the country. The Club was being "Surf Life Saving Illawarra Patrolling Club of the Year" for 2021/22 Season, "Surf Life Saving NSW Club of the Year" and "Surf Life Saving Illawarra Club of the Year" for the 2020/2021 Season, and has been awarded with the Surf Life Saving Illawarra honor on a number of occasions. The Club's membership actively participate in life saving competition, training, and administration at many levels. The Club boast a number of "Illawarra Life Saver of the Year", Illawarra Volunteer of the Year" winners and many other awards for contribution to life saving.

Membership Information

Membership Fees

Membership Fees are due and payable before 30 October each season. You must be financial and have joined/renewed your Membership before undertaking any surf life saving related activities.

More Information

SLSA Members Area

Join, Renew and Update Membership Details

Click Here

2024/2025 - Membership Fees

  • Junior Activity Members (Nippers)
  • $ 60 / Season
  • Age Under 7 to Under 14

    NOTE: At least ONE parent of a Junior Activity Member/s must also join either as an Associate Member, Active Patrol Member, Award Member, Reserve Active Member, Past Active Member, Long Service or Honorary Member)


  • More Information
  • Patrolling Members
  • $ 0 / Season
  • Cadet - U15
    Active - U17
    Active - U19
    Active Patrol Member
    Reserve Active
    Long Service

    Surf Life Saving NSW has provided a donation to all NSW surf life saving clubs to assist our frontline lifesavers with Cost-of-Living expenses in the 2024/25 season.

    The Executive Committee has decided that Cadet and Active Patrol members who commit to undertake rostered patrols throughout the 2024/25 season will not be charged a membership fee this season, subject to completing membership renewal prior to commencement of patrols on 29/09/2024.


  • More Information
  • New Members and Re-joining Members
  • $ 60 for 2 Seasons
  • wanting to do Bronze Medallion or Surf Rescue Certificate

    A joining fee applies to new members, or members transferring from other clubs, who will be candidates for the Surf Rescue Certificate or Bronze Medallion training course in the 2024/25 season.

    The joining fee has been reduced from $120 to $60 this year and applies to Cadets (13-14 years), Active (15-18 years) Members, and Active (18 years and over) Members. The joining fee includes the training course and membership fees for the following year (2025-26); the 2024/25 membership fee is covered by the Cost-of-Living Concession.

  • More Information
  • Senior Citizens
  • $ 40 / Season
  • Concessional Fee - Active (patrol) Members, Reserve Active Members, Long Service Members, Associate Members and Honorary Members 66 years of age and over, and in possession of an Aged Pension Card or NSW Seniors Card.

  • More Information
  • Family Membership Package
  • $ 240 Max / Season
  • applies for a family when both parents and two or more school children become members; if the family group includes a new member or members for which a joining fee is payable, ie for candidates for the Surf Rescue Certificates or Bronze Medallion training courses, extra fees may be payable.

  • More Information

2023/24 Season Statistics

Visitors To Stanwell Park Beach
Volunteer Patrol Hours
Volunteer Patrolling Life Savers
Preventative Actions
First Aid Cases
Rescues

2022/23 Season Statistics

Visitors To Stanwell Park Beach
Volunteer Patrol Hours
Volunteer Patrolling Life Savers
Preventative Actions
First Aid Cases
Rescues