Volunteer lifesavers have brought the iconic red and yellow back to the beach on Saturday 27 September as the 2025/26 patrolling season began across NSW.
From 27 September 2025 to 26 April 2026, beachgoers can expect to see Surf Life Saving volunteers patrolling on weekends and public holidays, as well as professional lifeguards, helping to keep people safe during the warmer months.
Over the last 12 months, Surf Life Saving NSW has seen membership rise by 5 percent to a record 83,000. Patrolling membership has increased by 2.6% to more than 21,000, while Nipper numbers grew by 4.5% to almost 30,000.
It is an exciting time of year but also an important reminder for members of the community to think about how they can keep themselves and their families safe on the sand and in the water.
SLS NSW is reminding everyone to stay surf safe when heading to the coast and to Stop. Look. Stay Alive.
STOP before entering the water.
LOOK for patrolling lifesavers, lifeguards, the red and yellow flags, rip currents, and safety signs.
STAY ALIVE by not swimming if the surf looks unsafe or beyond your ability.
NSW Premier, Chris Minns joined surf lifesavers and Nippers for the symbolic raising of the red and yellow flags at Dixon Park Beach in Newcastle on Friday morning, September 26, to recognise the important role volunteers play in public safety along the state’s coastline.
“People come from around the country and all over the world to visit NSW beaches, and we want every beachgoer to enjoy their time and get home to their family safely,” Premier Minns said
“Our record investment is supporting the incredible work of our surf life savers and volunteers and delivering cutting-edge technology that is the envy of the world.
“Surf life savers and volunteers are everyday heroes and we’re proud to be supporting them as they continue to this essential mission.”
The NSW Government has been driving action to improve water safety and save lives, including key actions identified through the Minister’s coastal water safety roundtable in March 2024. Key initiatives delivered include:
- A record $72 million investment for Surf Life Saving NSW over the four years from 2023-24 to 2026-27.
- Funding has already provided 56 new jet skis from this record investment, with another 11 to be delivered.
- The installation of new Emergency Response Beacons (ERBs) fitted with flotation devices and enhanced technology like high-definition video live-streaming to support rapid response to emergencies and provide another set of eyes on the beach. Already, 58 out of 64 ERBs have been installed and are operating across our coastline.
- Further initiatives to ensure rapid response to emergencies all year-round, alongside the ERBs, include UAV (drone) technology and AI camera technology trials.
- $5.4 million for NSW Surf Life Saving Clubs for the upgrade, restoration or construction of surf lifesaving facilities following the announcement of recipients in the 2024/25 Surf Club Facility Program.
- The launch of a new online Beach Safety Hub to bring together essential information including tips and guidance to help communities stay informed and safe around the state’s waterways. Water safety resources are available in 24 languages on the Hub at www.beachsafetyhub.org.au
To learn more about how to keep yourself and your family safe please visit www.nsw.gov.au/visiting-and-exploring-nsw/visiting-nsw-waterways.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said:
“Every summer, the red and yellow flags become a symbol of safety and community across our state. The dedication of thousands of Surf Life Saving volunteers, alongside our professional lifeguards, gives families the confidence to enjoy our world-class beaches.
We’ve seen too many tragedies in unpatrolled or isolated locations. With a hot summer ahead, I urge everyone to swim between the flags, listen to the advice of lifesavers, and put safety first. These small steps make all the difference.”
2025 Raising of the Flags Ceremony. Photos; SLS NSW
Surf Life Saving NSW President, Peter Agnew AM thanked the NSW Government for its continued support of the movement and urged beachgoers to be cautious, to observe water safety advice from lifesavers or lifeguards, and to take responsibility for themselves and their families when heading to the coastline this summer.
Additionally, lifeguards with the Australian Lifeguard Service (ALS) will commence patrols across many of its locations this weekend, working alongside surf clubs and their volunteers to keep beachgoers safe.
ALS lifeguards will be back on beaches from Port Stephens to the Tweed Shire following on from a busy Winter patrol period, with more beaches to commence patrols towards the Summer holidays.
Beachgoers are reminded to always follow the advice of lifeguards and lifesavers, know their limits in the water, and most importantly — always swim between the red and yellow flags.
These simple actions can prevent tragedy and ensure everyone enjoys a safe and memorable trip to the coastline.
For more information on beach safety or to find your nearest patrolled beach, visit Beachsafe or the ALS website.
NSW Premier Chris Minns and Surf Life Saving NSW President, Peter Agnew AM speak to SLSNSW Volunteers at the Raising of the Flags Ceremony. Photo: SLSNSW
Locals will have seen Max at the 2023 Manly Longboard Classic where he secured a run in the first WSL LT, and will recall he won the 2023 Noosa Longboard Pro in the lead into the Manly event.
Tour veteran Hiroka Yoshikawa (JPN) also broke through for a career-best result with a runner-up placing, with Kevin Skvarna (USA) matching his best finish by making his first Final in five years.
Max Weston Claims First Longboard Tour Victory in Breakthrough Performance
Competing in his first-ever Longboard Tour Finals Day, Max Weston (AUS) has taken it all the way to an inaugural victory. Weston’s run through the event featured strong traditional longboard surfing throughout and included victories over Tour stalwarts Cole Robbins (USA), Rogelio JR Esquievel (PHL), and Declan Wyton (AUS). Holding a PhD alongside his surfing skills, 33-year-old Weston balances an impressive career with his competitive pursuits. Hailing from the Central Coast of NSW, Weston now resides in Melbourne, regularly scouring Victoria’s Surf Coast for waves. The extra time spent in the Bells lineup was pivotal in carrying Weston through to the top of the podium.
Max in action on Finals Day. Credit: WSL / Cait Miers
Max in action on Finals Day. Credit: WSL / Ed Sloane
"It's surreal at the moment, to be honest, it hasn't really sunk in yet," Weston said. "I'm stoked, I've got all my family here and all my mates, and yeah, can't believe it. I thought I surfed really smart heats all week and surfed well enough to get the job done. I just got in a good rhythm and feel like I can do that if I start making a few heats and just build momentum and confidence."
"I think [Bells Beach] is a special place for everyone," Weston said. "You just have to rock up and you can feel that connection straight away. There's rainbows all day today, and we had an unreal forecast, it just kept delivering. Really special place, special event. It was a perfect start. It was unreal, and then I lucked into another pretty good one under Kevin's priority. So I got off to a flying start. Lost my board a couple of times and had a few swims, which kept me honest. But yeah, it was unreal. Awesome Final."
''The Heavens opened this week and gave me the opportunity to write my name into a small piece of Bells history. To win this event in front of my friends and family is a dream come true.'' Max said afterwards
''Congratulations to Kevin Skvarna, you put on a performance for the ages, it was an honour to share the final with you. Soleil Errico you are so inspiring, Hiroka Yoshikawa congratulations on a breakthrough event, you surfed beautifully!
A huge thank you to my Mum and Dad, my brothers, my partner Ruby, and all of my extended family. Thank you to the local community who have welcomed me with open arms over the past year.
Thank you to Kai Ellice-Flint, shaper at Higher State Surfboards, and thank you to the WSL for the opportunity and building this tour for us.''
Australians Ellice-Flint - Weston top Men's Table
Kai Ellice-Flint led the Longboard Tour coming into the Bioglan Bells Beach Longboard Classic after winning the Lexus US Open of Surfing Huntington Beach Pro Longboard, event 1 in the LT 2025 Championship Tour, impressing judges with his heels and variety. With Max's win at Bells, the two Australians now sit at 1 and 2 for the WSL Men's 2025 LT.
Manly Malibu Boardriders Club members Tully White, who bowed out after the Quarterfinals but sits at 7th in the Women's LT 2025, and Declan Wyton, who ousted Ellice-Flint in the Quarterfinals and who Max beat in the Semis, finished 3rd in the Bioglan Bells Beach Longboard Classic and 5th in the Lexus US Open of Surfing, is now 6th in the Men's LT 2025.
Kai Ellice-Flint in the Quarterfinals. Credit: WSL / Ed Sloane
Declan Wyton in the Semis. Credit: WSL / Ed Sloane
Declan and Max after their bout. Credit: WSL / Ed Sloane
razing the hillside at Palm Beach. Photo supplied
Bayview wharf as it is at present - non-existent having being neglected to the point where it failed.
On September 10 2025 the NSW Audit released its findings into Coastal Management. The Office assessed effectiveness through examining the following audit questions:
- Are DCCEEW and DPHI effectively overseeing and facilitating councils’ implementation of the coastal management framework?
- Have the selected councils effectively developed programs and priorities for coastal management?
The audited councils were the Northern Beaches Council, City of Coffs Harbour Council, and Shoalhaven City Council. They were selected after an examination of factors relevant to the operational and coastal management context of local councils in the NSW coastal zone.
The coastal management framework under the Coastal Management Act 2016 (the Act), aims to deliver strategic and integrated management, use and development of the coast by state and local government for the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of the people of NSW.
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) oversees and facilitates implementation of the framework by local councils in the coastal zone.
The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) facilitates integration of the framework with the land use planning system.
Local councils are supported by DCCEEW and DPHI to develop coastal management programs (CMPs) that set out risk-based, long-term strategies for managing the coast.
This audit examined whether DCCEEW, DPHI and three local councils (City of Coffs Harbour, Shoalhaven City and Northern Beaches Councils) are effectively implementing the framework to manage the NSW coast.
In its Conclusion the NSW Audit office found that the coastal management framework is not being effectively implemented to manage the NSW coastal environment.
Seven years after the framework came into effect, most local councils are still in the process of developing coastal management programs (CMPs), and are not yet implementing CMPs to address risks and opportunities. DCCEEW is not effectively overseeing and facilitating implementation of the framework by state and local government.
As a result, the objectives of the Act – ‘’to manage the coast in an ecologically sustainable way for the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of the people of NSW’’ – are not being achieved.
‘The audited councils are developing CMPs to support coastal management and strategic land use planning. However, the process is taking longer than anticipated. As at April 2025 most of the councils’ CMPs had not yet progressed to the implementation stage.
The audited councils have taken steps to integrate coastal management into their integrated planning and reporting, and risk management processes. However, the two audited councils with certified CMPs have faced challenges in integrating the actions identified in their CMPs as part of their integrated planning and reporting, due to uncertainty over long-term funding sources.’ the report states
Surfrider Foundation Northern Beaches stated it is dismayed, but not at all surprised, by the findings of the NSW Audit Office’s Performance Audit on Coastal Management.
‘The document states what we have voicing loudly for years.’ the organisation stated
‘The audit found poor coordination and a lack of oversight in how our beautiful coastline is being “managed”. It finds that state government departments and local authorities are not acting in concert. This lack of integration has resulted in the abject failure of the objectives of the Coastal Management Act.’
‘This spaghetti like admin system results in the destruction of beach public amenity as witnessed at Narrabeen/Collaroy, violence on the beach at Wamberal, and the approval of the beach obliterating projects like the expensive renovation of the Newport SLSC in a flood and tidal inundation zone.’
Surfrider Northern Beaches Branch President Brendan Donohoe said:
”We call on the Minister for the Environment, Penny Sharpe, to take immediate action and appoint a ‘Coastal Commissioner’ to oversee works and development on the precious NSW coast.
“We now have a “Building Commissioner” in NSW, we need the same for the coast.
“Australians love their beaches. It is well past time we acted accordingly by giving the beaches the attention they deserve.”
The report made a Recommendations.
Brendan Donohoe, President of Surfrider Foundation Northern Beaches, at Line in the Sand 2021 at Collaroy-Narrabeen. Photo: Michael Mannington, Community Photography
Profile of the Week Andrew Clark: President of Avalon Beach SLSC As the 2025-2026 Patrol Season CommencesAt the 100th AGM of the Avalon Beach SLSC Andrew Clark was formally elected a President for the 2025-2026 Season after Bernadette McKay stepped down from the role she has fulfilled since 2021.
Recently he has been among the first cohorts of the SLS SNB Branch to learn about progressions in resuscitation through Surf Life Saving Australia, and led by Branch CEO, Tracey Hare-Boyd, another outstanding leader, role model, mentor, and inspiration in our local surf lifesaving movement.
See: Surf Life Saving Australia Develops Innovative Lifesaving CPR: SLSA will host online Q&A sessions for members this Sept., Oct., Nov.
Andrew, known as 'Clarkie' to fellow clubmates, is a high energy intelligent gentleman, calm under pressure, with an appetite to learn all he can to save lives on our beaches.
He, alongside Karl Attkins, Mike Stanley-Jones, Blaze Roberts, Stuart ('Stretch') Cooper and Lucas Molloy, received an Award Of Excellence Meritorious Award in 2023, at State and National level, for their rescue of Mark Head.
Meritorious Awards are awarded to clubs, members or the public for outstanding deeds of bravery performed through lifesaving actions during and outside of patrol hours.
Mark said the support from his mates in the aftermath of the accident was critical to his survival.
“It’s not just the hour on the beach they spent with me, it’s the 15 months after. They’re the only reason I’m here tonight.”
The Avalon community gets to still see Mark's glorious smile and hear his laugh as a result. In fact, Mark was back to the club by November 25, 2023, still lighting up even overcast days with his inherent joy for Avalon Beach.
This Issue, as the Volunteer Patrol Season opens, a few insights into the 2025-2026 Season Avalon Beach SLSC President.
History Retracing Governor Phillip's Footsteps around Pittwater: The Mystery of the Cove on the East Side by Roger Sayers OAM and Geoff Searl OAM
Community News Congratulations Class of 2025, Congratulations: TYFYS, Thank You RPAYC, Jonah's Hosts Sydney 2000 Olympians, Art Amongst the Books Success, Ingleside DA: residents urged to scrutinise documents, More than 4,400 homes declared state significant: Mosman + Frenchs Forest in list, Spring School Holidays Break, Daylight Savings, Avalon-Bilgola Swimming Club enrolment 2025, FREE Bronze Course at Whale Beach SLSC, BOM's Long-range forecast: October to December 2025, Northern Beaches Art Society 79th Annual Awards Art Exhibition, Synthetic turf: Myths vs the reality - Mona Vale forum, 2025 Veteran Community Grants Program, 40k Speed Limit Commences October 3, 2025 Festival of Mosman, AEC Statement: Conclusion of challenge to Bradfield election result, Scam Alert: 'Brushing', Tree Giveaway: October 25 at Avalon, Paracetamol use in pregnancy, investment for Central Coast industry training, jobs and tourism, NSW Surf Clubs Grant Program open, Mal Lanyon APM to be appointed NSW Police Commissioner, Monika's Doggie Rescue Pets of the Week: Arthur + Ozzy, Concert for a cause, Seasonal Bushfire Outlook: Spring 2025, Mona Vale Raiders Rugby League Club AGM, Northern Beaches Music Festival 2025, Warriewood DA Proposes removal of 11 Hectares of Vegetation, 280+ extra vehicles for streets, Help shape future of maritime infrastructure, Disability Discrimination Act Review Issues Paper, Pittwater Sports, Social, Environment, Residents Associations and Groups, Pittwater Offshore News
Environment Synthetic turf: Myths vs the reality - Mona Vale forum, Living Boulders Installed at Spit West Reserve to Boost Marine Biodiversity, Magpies in Spring, Sydney Wildlife (Sydney Metropolitan Wildlife Services) Needs People for the Rescue Line, Warriewood DA Proposes removal of 11 Hectares of Vegetation - 280+ extra vehicles for streets, Costa Georgiadis Portrait unveiled, Record number of endangered White’s seahorses released, Central Coast Wildflower now listed as critically endangered: final determinations for September 2025, Celebrating a silver anniversary for South Coast shorebirds, Feedback Invited: $10 million to cut food waste in NSW households + businesses + Climate Change Licensee Requirements: Have your say to EPA by October 7 + EPA tackling greenhouse gas emissions with new licensee requirements: Have your say, Living Ocean's Art for Oceans Surfboard Auction, Tree Giveaway: October 25, 8am to 2pm at Avalon, With 2035 emissions targets set what Australia does next will help shape global efforts to keep 1.5°C alive, Warn, hide or stand out? How colour in the animal world is a battle for survival, Dangerous climate change threatens Northern Australia’s big ‘food bowl’ dreams, Birding by ear: How to learn the songs of nature’s symphony with some simple techniques, Spring air is humming with insects. But we’re blind to what’s happening to them, Fish ‘fingerprints’ in the ocean reveal which species are moving homes due to climate change, Why you don’t have to block roads or glue yourself to buildings to be a climate activist, The near-extinction of rhinos is at risk of being normalised, Politics with Michelle Grattan: Tony Wood on ‘politics trumping climate policy’ and the hard road ahead, Goodbye petrostates, hello ‘electrostates’: how the clean energy shift is reshaping the world order, As pine martens are reintroduced to south-west England, a new study shows why local people need to be involved, Climate change is fast shrinking the world’s largest inland sea, Middle Eastern countries are among the most exposed to climate change – so why is media coverage so low there?, How India’s unplanned hydropower dams and tunnels are disrupting Himalayan landscapes, Notice of 1080 Poison Baiting, Weed of the Week, Solar for apartment residents: Funding, Volunteers for Barrenjoey Lighthouse Tours needed, Johnson Brothers Mitre 10 Recycling Batteries: at Mona Vale + Avalon Beach, Reporting Dogs Offleash - Dog Attacks to Council, Plastic Bread Ties For Wheelchairs, Stay Safe From Mosquitoes, Mountain Bike Incidents On Public Land, Report fox sightings, Marine Wildlife Rescue group on the Central Coast, Watch out - shorebirds about, Possums In Your Roof?: do the right thing, Aviaries + Possum Release Sites Needed, Bushcare in Pittwater: where + when, Friends Of Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment Activities, Community Gardens and Environment Groups and Organisations in Pittwater, Ringtail Posses, Pittwater Reserves, Environment History insights + Walks, Birds, +
Aquatics Marine Rescue NSW calls on boaters to make safety a priority these Spring holidays: Log on/ Log Off
Children Sunday cartoons and animations returns this year. This Issue: Curious George - big one because it's school holidays - see you after the break!, School Holidays Movie: Daddy Daughter Trip for Spring Break, 2025 Irukandji's Australian Junior Surfing Team, Curious Kids: how do fish sleep? + what is the largest penguin that ever lived? + why do sloths go slow? + why do we dream?+ Why can’t we feel the Earth moving?, Spring air is humming with insects: want to help count them? Here's how, Stories this Issue: This Little Piggy Had Waffles + 'Please Please the Bees' read by Rashida Jones, + local fun and clubs for you
Youth Spring Break: Say not the Struggle nought Availeth, 8 Student-Backed Study Tips To Help You Tackle The HSC, Young Filmmakers shine at comp., Fresh Wave of Global Stars Lead the 2025 ARIA Awards nominations, Grass roots voices sprout in northern Sydney schools, 2025 Irukandji's Australian Junior Surfing Team, Spring air is humming with insects. But we’re blind to what’s happening to them - a call for citizen scientists, A Glimpse Into Extreme Birdwatching; what's a 'Big Year'?, Opportunities, Word Of The Week: Charger, Stuck on a problem? Talking to a rubber duck might unlock the solution, AI systems can easily lie and deceive us – a fact researchers are painfully aware of, Jane Austen’s real and literary worlds weren’t exclusively white – just read her last book Sanditon, Criticisms against Spotify keep mounting. Luckily there are alternatives, Birding by ear: How to learn the songs of nature’s symphony: simple techniques, Why This Is Spinal Tap remains the funniest rock satire ever made, The Australian Ballet’s flawless, breath-taking Prism is a significant coming of age for the company, 100 years before quantum mechanics one scientist glimpsed a link between light and matter, The thousand-year story of how the fork crossed Europe, and onto your plate today, Fantasy rugby: how the animal kingdom could help you form a winning team, Friday essay: new revelations of the Murdoch empire’s underbelly – from The Hack’s real-life journalist, Underground data fortresses: the nuclear bunkers, mines and mountains being transformed to protect our ‘new gold’ from attack, local groups and services for you
Seniors The Birdwatchers, Older workers hit by tax, tests, and stereotyping: NSA's Solution, A trusted aged care workforce, TGA approves registration of lecanemab (LEQEMBI), A century in the making, Spring air is humming with insects. But we’re blind to what’s happening to them, ‘I came to Alice in 1982 to visit friends’, Birding by ear: How to learn the songs of nature’s symphony with some simple techniques, Friday essay: what can we learn about a city from its writers?,
Park Bench Philosophers Prime Minister of Australia, The Hon. Anthony Albanese, Address to the 80th Session of General Assembly Debate
Pictures Aussie Bird Count 2025 Runs October 20-26: BirdLife Australia Publishes 'What Bird is That?' Help for Participants - so do we!
DIY Ideas National Garden Week 2025: School Holiday Garden Ideas for Youngsters + Johnson Brothers Mitre 10 Community Grants Fund Launched
National Gardening Week is celebrated in the third week of October each year, so what better excuse do you need to get out into the garden and enjoy all that mother nature has to offer.
The week is there for every Australian, of every age group, to get out into the garden and enjoy. Clubs are encouraged to have some fun activities such as a High Tea, a Plant Swap Table, making flower garlands and tree plantings.
National Gardening Week as an extension of The Garden Clubs of Australia’s primary objective, “to extend the culture of gardening into the wider community for the benefit of all citizens”.
The Garden Clubs of Australia 30th Biennial Convention & AGM will be held in Albury from the 13-18 October 2025. This year’s theme is 'Gardens for People, Pleasure and Prosperity’. The convention will bring together students, advocates and industry experts to engage in discussion on sustainability, social, economic and environmental benefits of gardening and the important role we all play in the preservation of our planet.
With the BOM forecasting a hot, high rainfall period from October through to the end of January, engaging the next generation in some early morning and late afternoon gardening to suit what comes this Spring and Summer, and plant to harvest that heat and rain, can commence this Spring School Holidays.
Whatever you choose to do, Dig In & Celebrate, enjoy the experience – details below of some of the activities you can dig into right now.
Inbox News Visitor economy leaders appointed to guide accommodation, aviation and jobs growth in NSW, Converted e-bikes banned on NSW rail network due to fire risk, Deadly drug-resistant fungus spreading rapidly through European hospitals, New research shows Black Summer’s megafires left lasting scars far beyond property damage, Do TikTok ‘anti-inflammatory diets’ really work?, Investment to boost skilled workforce across NSW, Building homes for mental health recovery, Managing mould, housemates, and landlords: new research reveals sharehousing horror stories, Even as Jimmy Kimmel returns to the airwaves US TV networks remain more vulnerable to political pressure than ever before, Albanese left off meeting list as Ley oversteps the mark (Meeting between Australian Prime Minister and US President to be October 20 2025), Lawsuits, cancellations and bullying: Trump is systematically destroying US press freedom, What a newly discovered gas bridge between galaxies tells us about the cosmic cycle of matter
Events Spring Workshops and Events, Author Talks, Sports, Music, Markets, Social Groups, + Heaps more on!Spring School Holidays Break
