The Surf Life Saving Association of Wales is the Governing Body for all the voluntary beach lifeguard clubs in Wales, stretching from Barry in the east to Aberystwyth in the west and Anglesey in the north.  From a handful of people and clubs five decades ago, SLSA Wales has now grown to 31 clubs from south to north Wales and almost 3,200 volunteers. Truly an outstanding record and achievement, particularly when you consider how many lives have been saved by these volunteers. Over a thirty-two-year period, 2,016 rescues were performed and 4,879 lifeguards qualified; can there be a better endorsement for the work of the Surf Life Saving Association of Wales, its lifeguard clubs and its volunteers?

 

With the support of the RNLI and the North Wales Outdoor Partnership, SLSA Wales has launched a big drive to create more voluntary lifesaving clubs in North Wales.  Initially, efforts will be concentrated in Barmouth, Penmaenmawr, Colwyn Bay and the Llyn Peninsula.

 

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History

Surf Life Saving originated in Australia in the early 1900s with the growth of seaside towns and the interest in swimming. Surf Life Saving was then introduced into Great Britain in 1955 in Bude, St Agnes in Cornwall and Brighton in Sussex.Clubs were formed in Wales during the mid 1960s at Aberavon, Atlantic College , Barry, St Johns , Llantwit Major, Pen-y-bont, Porthmawr & Rhoose.Throughout 1967, leading into the winter of 1968, discussions took place between Charles Thomson, Leader of the Extramural Department at Atlantic College, John David and a number of other people, notably Reg Whittle, Frank Clark and Alf Thomas, in creating the Surf Life Saving Association of Wales.  In the spring of 1968, John David was elected as the first Chairman, Reg Whittle as Secretary and Margaret Whittle as Treasurer.

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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