"The association aims to develop and improve National and International standards of life saving on the beaches of Wales, whilst co-operating with all organisations with similar aims."
Peter Lake, MBE - SLSA Wales President
The Surf Life Saving Association of Wales, is unique in the surf lifesaving world, because it is an entirely voluntary humanitarian organisation, with 3000 volunteers supported wholly by teams of Management volunteers. There are no paid staff within this Association.
The Association is governed by a Board of Trustees who are supported by four Commissions, representing Lifesaving, Powercraft, Youth and Sport. These four Commissions and their volunteers are responsible for delivering the strategies and plans that see the organisation fulfil its lifesaving purposes.
Over the last thirty-two-year period, 2,016 rescues were performed and 4,879 lifeguards qualified. This is an incredible endorsement of the outstanding efforts our members deliver. However it is not all about rescues, prevention is key and to that aim over the same period, we have given over half a million pieces of advice to the visitors on Welsh beaches.
Other important statistics in the same time frame:
Surf Life Saving in Wales is a charity (1157762) which is not publically funded and relies on voluntary contributions to help coastal communities in Wales. Essential lifesaving equipment necessary for this task can vary vastly in price, such as:
Our association of voluntary clubs needs your support to help us achieve our goal of preventing the loss of life through drowning. Please give your backing to our financial appeal by clicking on the link below and if you would like further information, contact us at secretary@slsawales.org.uk
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 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
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