"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

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Lifesaving Commission

The purpose of the SLSA Wales Lifesaving Commission is to lead and oversee all lifesaving, lifeguard training, rescue, first aid, and related operational activities within the Surf Life Saving Association of Wales. It supports SLSA Wales' overall mission "to prevent the loss of life through drowning."

Key Responsibilities of the Lifesaving Commission

• Develop and maintain lifesaving standards across Wales.

• Organise and oversee training and qualifications, including:

  • National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification (NVBLQ)

  • Lifeguard Trainer and Assessor awards

  • First Aid and Life Support qualifications

  • Inshore Rescue Boat training and related awards.

• Ensure volunteers remain competent and current in rescue techniques, sea safety, resuscitation, first aid, and physical fitness standards.

• Provide guidance and support to clubs, tutors, assessors, and lifeguards throughout Wales.

• Contribute to the strategic delivery of SLSA Wales objectives, working as one of the four commissions that underpin the Board of Trustees. The commissions are responsible for delivering activities that help the organisation fulfil its charitable purpose.

• Act as the link between grassroots clubs and the Board of Trustees, ensuring operational and training issues are represented at a national level.

 

 

In Simple Terms

The Lifesaving Commission is the body within SLSA Wales that ensures Welsh Surf Lifesavers are appropriately trained, qualified, assessed, and supported so that they can perform beach patrols, rescues, first aid, and water safety activities safely and effectively. It is the commission responsible for the technical and operational delivery of lifesaving across the organisation.

Incident Figures - 10 Year Average Yearly Figures

The relatively low rescue figures are due in part to the vigilance of Lifeguard Patrols in keeping the public safe. SLSA Wales are committed to further reduce these figures by working in partnership with Water Safety Wales and fully implement the Wales Drowning Prevention Strategy 2026 – 2030. Click Here

Incidents and rescues would not be possible unless the lifesavers were trained to be proficient in reading and understanding the sea conditions, rescue techniques, resuscitation, first aid, and had a minimum standard of physical fitness.

It is the task of SLSA Wales to provide the opportunities for our members to qualify and be continually updated in these areas. Typically, throughout the year courses are provided in: Beach Lifeguarding (NVBLQ), Lifeguard Trainer, Lifeguard Assessor, First Aid, Life Support and Inshore Rescue Boats. For further information on Lifesaving in Wales please contact:  lifesaving@slsawales.org.uk  

SLSA WALES ONLINE INCIDENT REPORT FORM

 

Useful Contacts

Lifesaving Commission Chair

Geraint Rees

e-mail:  lifesaving@slsawales.org.uk 

 

Secretary to Technical Commission

Ron Braddon

e-mail:  lifesaving_sec@slsalwales.org.uk 

 

SLSA Wales ~ Development Tutor

Hugh Murray & Grace Morgan

e-mail:  lifesaving_development@slsawales.org.uk

 

Regional Tutor ~ Vale of Glamorgan

Vacant - Contac Geraint Rees

e-mail:  lifesaving_east@slsawales.org.uk 

 

Regional Tutor ~ Bridgend and District

Andy Morgan

e-mail:  lifesaving_bridgend@slsawales.org.uk

 

Regional Tutor ~South West Wales

Paul Williams

e-mail:  lifesaving_south@slsawales.org.uk 

 

Regional Tutor ~ West Wales

Andrew Thomas

e-mail:  lifesaving_west@slsawales.org.uk

 

SLSA Wales Awards Administrator

Richard Kedward

e-mail:  lifesaving_awards@slsawales.org.uk 

 

Regional Tutor ~ North Wales

Roger Pierce

e-mail:  lifesaving_north@slsawales.org.uk 

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 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.

Our Volenteers

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

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