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History
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, 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 & 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.
About Surf Lifesaving
Surf Life Saving Association WALES is a not-for-profit Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) Number ~ 1157762. Thirty-one voluntary lifeguard clubs currently affiliate to SLSA Wales from Jacksons Bay , Barry in the east to Aberystwyth in the west and Rhosneigr on Anglesey in the north. Covering every Local Authority from the Vale of Glamorgan to Gwynedd and Anglesey in north Wales. The majority of our lifesavers complete patrols on the weekend and in their own free time.
The primary aims & objectives are to save lives, to develop and improve National and International standards of life saving whilst co-operating with all organisations with similar aims. We also aim to provide the facilities for young people to participate in organised life saving.
OUR VOLUNTEERS
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
Gerald Cooper John David Martin John
Peter Lake. MBE. James Marks Dr George Middleton.MBE. Colin Morris
Andrea Pennell Philip Rees Tony Rees Paul Scarborough
Dallas Robinson Elizabeth Thomas Patrick Thomas Reg Whittle
DECEASED LIFE MEMBERS
Essex Havard Frank Smith Charles Thomson. MBE. O.St.J.
Douglas Williams Alf Thomas Peter Derbyshire
David Lewis
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
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IN THE NEWS..
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How Surf Lifesaving saved my life
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| On Mental Health Awareness Day, student Sophie Bennett shares her story of anxiety and substance abuse - and how surf lifesaving saved her (copy and p... |
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50 Years Celebrations
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This year SLSA Wales are celebrating 50 years of Surf Lifesaving in Wales.
The 2019 Surf Lifesaving Association of Wales Presentation Night... |
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WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE GREAT BRITAIN YOUTH TEAM!
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| Great Britain Lifesaving is pleased to announce the Great Britain Youth Team to compete at the 2019 Lifesaving European Championships in Riccione, Ita... |
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GBR Lifesaving Team
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| Great Britain Lifesaving is pleased to announce the Great Britain Open Team to compete at the 2019 Lifesaving European Championships in Riccione, Ital... |
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GBR Lifesaving are pleased to announce the 2019 GBR Squad
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OPEN MALE GBR SQUAD YOUTH MALE GBR SQUAD
Athlete Club Athlete Club
David Millar Woolacombe SLSC Louis Spalding Sidmouth SLSC
Steven Lew... |
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