The Association aims to develop and improve National and International standards of lifesaving on the beaches of Wales, whilst co-operating with all organisations with similar aims."
Peter Lake, MBE - SLSA Wales President
Surf Life Saving originated in Australia in the early 1900s with the growth of seaside towns and the interest in swimming. Surf Life Saving was then introduced into Great Britain in 1955 in Bude and St Agnes in Cornwall, and Brighton in Sussex.
Clubs were formed in Wales during the mid-1960s at Aberavon, Atlantic College , Barry St Johns, Llantwit Major, Pen-y-bont, Porthmawr and Rhoose.
Throughout 1967, leading into the winter of 1968, discussions took place between Charles Thomson, Leader of the Extramural Department at Atlantic College, John David and a number of other people, notably Reg Whittle, Frank Clark and Alf Thomas, in creating the Surf Life Saving Association of Wales. In the spring of 1968, John David was elected as the first Chairman, Reg Whittle as Secretary and Margaret Whittle as Treasurer.
The Surf Life Saving Association Wales is a not-for-profit Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) Number ~ 1157762. Thirty-one voluntary lifeguard clubs currently affiliate with SLSA Wales from Jacksons Bay, Barry in the east to Aberystwyth in the west and Rhosneigr on Anglesey in the north. The majority of our lifesavers complete patrols on the weekend and in their own free time.
The primary aims and objectives are to save lives, develop and improve National and International standards of lifesaving whilst cooperating with all organisations with similar goals. We also aim to provide the facilities for young people to participate in organised lifesaving activities and sports competitions.
We are governed by a Management Board of Trustees who are supported by four commissions representing Lifesaving, Powercraft, Sport and Youth. The Commissions are responsible for delivering the annual management plan to support the Board's strategies that will see the organisation fulfil its purpose.
Surf lifesaving in Wales, would not exist without its army of volunteers and it is almost impossible to overstate our gratitude to the many thousands of community focused members who have contributed to this. Below are some of these volunteers, who we have recognised in some small way of the years:
LIFE MEMBERS
Michael Allen Gerald Bassett Lyle Bluck Glenn Clatworthy John David Martin John Chris Parry Paul Scarborough Peter Lake MBE James Marks Colin Morris Paul Edwards
Andrea Pennell Philip Rees Tony Rees Dallas Robinson Elizabeth Thomas Patrick Thomas
Craig Robinson
DECEASED LIFE MEMBERS
Essex Havard Frank Smith Charles Thomson MBE O.St.J. Douglas Williams Alf Thomas Peter Derbyshire David Lewis Reg Whittle Gerald Cooper Dr George Middleton MBE
LIFESAVER OF THE YEAR
1996 Aled Rees Poppit Sands
1997 Gerald & Gloria Davies Rest Bay
1998 Peter Lake Penybont
1999 Glen Clatworthy Sker
2000 Karen O'Donoghue-Harris Rhoose
2001 James Marks Sker
2002 Tony Rees Aberavon
2003 Peter Morgan Penybont
2004 Lisa Pritchard-Evans Aberporth
2005 Chris Parry Porthmawr
2006 Nigel Martlew Rhoose
2007 Martin John Aberavon
2008 Craig Robinson Penybont
2009 Gary Pyke Llantwit Major
2010 Andrea Pennell Llantwit Major
2011 David Murphy Penybont
2012 Craig Robinson Penybont
2013 Phil Rees Rhondda
2014 Lyle Bluck Kenfig Sands
2015 Steve Chambers Aberavon
2016 Julie Wisden Penybont
2017 David Allen Penybont
2018 Jennie Pitt Llantwit Major
2019 Shan Parry Porthmawr
2020 Hugh Murray Sker and Pink Bay
2021 Simon Perry Rhoose
2022 Andy Morgan Rest Bay