Education - SLS Sydney

Our Education Team empowers our members with the knowledge and skills required to save lives.

From initial training to ongoing learning opportunities, we are committed to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence.

Our Team

NameRoleClub
David KowaldDirector of Education Elouera
Phil CarterEducation Manager Maroubra
Sam StoneWaverley Education Coordinator Bronte
Maria-Luise OssimitzRandwick Education Coordinator Coogee
Brett FurnissCronulla/Sutherland Education Coordinator North Cronulla
Paul CooperRNP Education Coordinator Burning Palms
Rodrigo (Rodd) SanchezAdvanced Awards Coordinator Cronulla
Nicole (Nixy) KritePowercraft Coordinator Bondi
Elouera
Sam StoneTAF Coordinator Bronte

Education Resources

All Education Resources
SLSS Safety Operations Manual

SLSS Safety Operations manual template for clubs to use and submit with Special Event applications which require a safety plan

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Sydney Branch – Gear Inspection Guidelines 2026-27
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SLSS Education : Facilitated Course Dates Season 2026-2027
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Template for Clubs : Course Participant Information VFAF
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All Education Resources

Education Announcements

All Education Announcements
Duty Officers Education Emergency Management Lifesaving Patrol Operations Rescue Services RWC SR30 UAV
Announcement 20: 2026_27 SLSS Duty Officers & Radio Call Signs Season 2026-27
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Education Lifesaving
Announcement 19: 2026_27 SMPC Courses #3 & #4 – October & November 2026 EOIs open
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Education Junior Development Lifesaving Member Services Rescue Services Surf Sports Youth
Announcement 17: 2026_27 Special Event Applications and Requesting SLSS Rescue Services
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Duty Officers Education Junior Development Lifesaving Rescue Services
Announcement 15: 2026_27 Junior Search and Rescue Club Drill Season 2026-27
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All Education Announcements
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Skills Maintenance

Each year, patrolling members along Sydney’s beaches participate in skills maintenance activities to refresh and update their knowledge and skills ready for the new season.

See the SLSNSW page below for all the details you need.

Skills Maintenance
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Silver Medallion Aquatic Rescue (SMAR) course

SLS Sydney runs the Silver Medallion Aquatic Rescue course for clubs throughout the Branch, for members to develop the skills and knowledge to participate in search and rescue operations along our coastline.

Any current callouts for courses will be posted below. Keep an eye out for these or alternately reach out to your Club Education Coordinator for more details, as you’ll need to register through them.

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Silver Medallion Patrol Captain (SMPC) Course

If you love being a lifesaver and patrolling your beach with your friends, why not take the next step and become a Patrol Captain? This course will equip our members with the skills and knowledge required to manage a beach and a patrol at your Surf Club.

Courses are generally run over a week, with two theory evenings and one weekend morning session.

Reach out to your Club Education Coordinator for more details on the courses being run this season, and any nomination process. Any current EOIs will be linked below.

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Rescue Water Craft (RWC) Operators Course

The Rescue Water Craft Operators Course is for members keen to join our Rescue Services RWC (support ski) team for use in Rescue Operations.

We’ll put a link below to the next callout for interested members, or alternately reach out to your Club Education Coordinator for more details on the courses being run this season, and any nomination process.

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Provide First Aid (PFA) Course

The Provision of First Aid course is provided by Branch for members keen to maintain or update their First Aid skills.

Reach out to your Club Education Coordinator for more details on the courses being run this season, and any nomination process.

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Gold Medallion (Gold) Assessments

The Gold Medallion provides lifesavers with a benchmark of fitness and endurance that meets the minimum requirement for working the professional lifeguard industry.

Reach out to your Club Education Coordinator for more details on the courses being run this season, and any nomination process. Any current callout for nominees will be linked below.

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Education Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Find out about the Standard Operating Procedures in place for our training courses.

Education SOPs
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Become a Trainer, Assessor or Facilitator (TAF)

Ever thought about supporting your Surf Club by becoming a Trainer, Assessor or Facilitator. Find out what you need to do to become one of our TAFs

Become a TAF
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Training Resources

We have plenty of resources to support our members and TAFs. Find out what resources are available here.

Training Resources
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SLS e-Learning Platform

The SLS portal provides both compulsory and elective courses online for our members to undertake and support their development as lifesavers.

E-Learning Platform
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Awards and Recognition

Awards and Recognition

Education News

News
SMPC Courses #3 & #4 EOIs open
26/08/2026

SMPC Courses #3 & #4 EOIs open

Expressions of Interest are now open from Clubs for the scheduled Silver Medallion Patrol Captain (SMPC) courses October & November 2026.
All information can be found in SLSS Announcement 19

Learn more
SMPC Award Course #2 September 2026 EOIs Open
05/08/2026

SMPC Award Course #2 September 2026 EOIs Open

Expressions of interest are now open from Clubs for the scheduled Silver Medallion Patrol Captain (SMPC) award course September 2026. Clubs are requested to submit EOIs for this course by 1 September 2026. All details of the course can be found in Announcement 12

Learn more
Women in Powercraft IRBC Program
22/07/2026

Women in Powercraft IRBC Program

Sydney Branch has scheduled for this season a Women in Powercraft program which supports women aged 15-25 yrs to gain their IRB Crew award.

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SLSS Lifesaving Pre-Season Meeting & SLSNSW Drone Presentation
22/07/2026

SLSS Lifesaving Pre-Season Meeting & SLSNSW Drone Presentation

Monday 10 August 2026 via teams. The meeting link has been shared to Clubs Captains and Club Presidents to share within their lifesaving teams at their discretion.

Learn more

Education Events

Gear Inspection 2026
12Sep
Gear Inspection 2026

Season preparations are underway for the annual Gear Inspection. Clubs have been advised the date for season 2026-2027 will be Saturday 12 September 2026

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SMPC Course #2 – Session 1
22Sep
SMPC Course #2 – Session 1

EOIs close by 1 September 2026. Refer Announcement 12 for all details

View Event
SMPC Course #2 – Session 2
24Sep
SMPC Course #2 – Session 2

View Event

RELATED SECTIONS

Rescue Services

Want to know more about what we do off the beach and outside of the red and yellow flags?

Rescue Services
Lifesaving

Learn more about how our members become the incredible lifesavers that they are.

Education
Last updated: November 17, 2025