South Port Surf Life Saving Club Inc plays an important role as a unique community service, aquatic rescue, sporting and character-building organisation.
The South Port Surf Life Saving Club has been uniquely situated in the dunes between South Port Beach and the Onkaparinga River since 1959 and is central to the Mid Coast Surfing Reserve.
A tin shed was erected in the dunes as the first club house in late 1960. It was replaced in 1966 in preparation for the club hosting the 1967 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships held at South Port Beach.
Since 1959, club members voluntarily patrol an area extending over a kilometre between the protected reef area at Port Noarlunga in the north to the mouth of the Onkaparinga River in the south.
Beach conditions provide a natural area for surfers, fishers, swimmers and tourists. South Port Beach is recognised as one of the Mid Coast region’s premier surf beaches and an ideal beach to learn to surf.
Over past seasons, public attendance at South Port has increased with the popularity of surfing activities and local population growth. Each season, members volunteer over 3 000 surf rescue patrol hours between October and Easter to keep South Port Beach safe for all users.
Due to at times, challenging rips and surf conditions, over 1 000 lives have been saved and thousands prevented from potentially dangerous situations by Club volunteers. Numerous members of the public have been treated for first aid cases, many as a result of serious surf board related incidents.
The South Port Club in particular provides opportunities for youth to:
· learn life skills;
· grow social networks, and
· strengthen their sense of purpose and belonging.
Members make a commitment to actively contribute to the Club’s purpose of saving lives, creating great South Australians and building resilient communities.
As a result of the Club’s national success in the historic March Past event, South Port SLSC was inducted into Surf Life Saving Australia’s Hall of Fame, a first for South Australia.
The Club continues to be a national leader in the ECOSurf environmental action program. Major highlight being a successful partnership with the South Port Noarlunga Coastcare group, the general community, City of Onkaparinga staff and local schools in winning Keep Australia Beautiful’s prestigious 2010 Australia’s Cleanest Beach award.
With this success as well as active recruiting and junior development programs currently in place, the future is set for the continued success of all facets of surf life saving at South Port.
A happy, family atmosphere greets anyone that makes the trek across the foot bridge and boardwalk to welcoming facilities.
The community is invited to enjoy the hospitality and spectacular views from the Club’s outdoor recreational areas – an experience never forgotten.
Beach and surf safety tips…
§ Always swim under supervision or with a friend.
§ Always swim or surf at beaches patrolled by surf lifesavers.
§ Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches. They mark the safest place to swim.
§ If you get into trouble in the surf, keep calm, raise one arm for help, float and wait for assistance.
§ Remember to always apply sunscreen, wear a hat and sun glasses when at the beach.
§ Avoid swimming after a meal and never after drinking alcohol.