About us

Built on tradition, forged out of passion, and focused on the future, SLSQ is recognised as the leading authority on coastal and aquatic safety. We are a volunteer-led, professionally managed organisation.

Our purpose is to equip, develop, empower and support our people to deliver vital aquatic rescue and safety services to save lives across Queensland.

Our vision is zero preventable deaths in Queensland public waters.

From humble beginnings, when the first official rescue was recorded on a Queensland beach in 1909, SLSQ, which was formally established in 1930, has developed into a ground-breaking and highly innovative organisation. SLSQ has 58 established surf lifesaving clubs with members patrolling 8,000 kilometres of the Queensland coastline from Port Douglas to Rainbow Bay. More than 36,000 Queenslanders are volunteer members of a surf lifesaving club and more than 462,000 are a member of an affiliated supporters club. Our vision: zero preventable deaths in Queensland public waters.

We aim to strengthen our commercial capability, brand and reputation to equip, empower, develop, and support our people to deliver vital aquatic rescue and safety services to save lives across Queensland.

Our organisation encompasses several diverse arms - lifesaving services, community education, membership services, surf sports, fundraising and commercial training, all contributing to our vision of zero preventable deaths in Queensland public waters.

As a not-for-profit organisation, SLSQ relies heavily on government funding, community support and donations to continue our vital work both on and off Queensland's beaches. It is only with this generous support that we are able to help keep beachgoers safe.

Our activities include:

• Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service
• State Operations Communications Centre
• Coastal Auditing
• Operations Support
• Community Education Programs
• Education
• Uncrewed Aviation Australia (Drone Education)

Surf Life Saving in Queensland (SLSQ) began in 1908, when an old line and belt was brought to Tweed Heads by Sydney dentist Harold Bennett for the purpose of forming a lifesaving club. Not long after, the first qualified surf lifesavers practised at Greenmount Beach.

On February 21, 1909, the first recorded rescue using a lifesaving reel was performed in surf off Greenmount. Lifesavers rescued four young women and a young man, who had been swept away by a rip.

SLSQ was formally established in 1930 and is the governing body for surf lifesaving in Queensland. From these very humble beginnings, SLSQ has now achieved world recognition for the outstanding courage and service of its members.

Over 100 Years of Saving lives

• 2021 - SLSQ invests in world-first hi-tech drone rescue enterprise: Ripper Corp

• 2020 - SLSA celebrates 40 Years of Women in Lifesaving and 90 years of Surf Life Saving Queensland

• 2016 - The Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service Queensland celebrates its 40th anniversary.

• 2015 - Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park's Kristy Mitchell raises a record $232,832 as Summer Surf Girl entrant.

• 2011 - Volunteer surf lifesavers assist during the Brisbane Floods.

• 2010 - SLSQ secures funding to operate a second helicopter service in South-East Queensland.

• 2009 - Centenary Celebrations, re-enactment of first recorded rescue on a Queensland beach (Greenmount Beach).

• 2007 - National Year of the Lifesaver, 100 years of surf life saving in Australia.

• 1991 - Edie Rowe (nee Kieft) issued her Bronze Medallion, 68 years after completing the examination requirements.

• 1986 - Females are now welcome in surf lifesaving clubs as active female members.

• 1980 - Women are welcomed to train at surf life saving clubs and can complete their bronze medallion.

• 1976 - Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter starts in Queensland.

• 1968 - Nippers Program launched

• 1965 - Kurrawa's Joy Chambers is the inaugural Surf Girl winner.

• 1960 - Expired air resuscitation, otherwise known as 'mouth to mouth', is adopted by surf lifesaving.

• 1939 - Red and yellow caps are introduced.

• 1935 - Surf Life Saving Queensland introduces the red and yellow flags.

• 1930 - Surf Life Saving Queensland is formed.

• 1923 - Miss Edie Kieft qualified for the Bronze Medallion through Tweed Heads and Coolangatta but did not receive a medallion because she was female.

• 1916 - First Queensland surf carnival at Greenmount.

• 1911 - First Queensland surf life saving club, Tweed Heads and Coolangatta, was formed.

• 1910 - Bronze Medallion award was introduced.

• 1909 - First recorded rescue in Queensland at Tweed Head and Coolangatta.

• 1908 - Line and belt brought to Tweed Heads by Sydney dentist Harold Bennett.

• 1907 - Surf Life Saving Australia was formed.

• 1903 - Laws are changed to allow daylight bathing.

• 1902 - William Gocher forms first lifesaving patrol at Manly Beach.