Surf lifesaving in Western Australia began with the opening of Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club in 1909. In 1916 the State’s second club opened at North Cottesloe. In 1916 tragedy struck at Scarborough Beach when a young girl was caught in a rip and five men tried to save her all were swept out to sea. By 1928 Scarboro SLSC was established. Most of WA’s clubs were established due to the demand for safer beaches.
Surf Lifesaving WA board
Mike Smith, president
Tony Snelling
Trevor Maybank
Nicolle Jenkins
Jean Burling
John King
Gary Keenan
David Armstrong
Today, the association which primarily governs and co-ordinates surf lifesaving in WA, has 21 surf lifesaving clubs strategically located around the WA coastline, each one tasked with the same primary vision – "Safer Enjoyable Beaches". From Broome to Esperance, over 8,500 members aged seven years to over
70 contribute to the volunteer emergency service.
