Whale Beach is situated on the northern peninsular of Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Our volunteer lifesavers patrol the beach from September until April each year.
If you are visiting the beach please remember to swim between the red and yellow flags. If you require any assistance or information on surf conditions don’t hesitate to approach one of our volunteer lifesavers for advice.
During the season we run Sunday morning events that include a surf swim, board race, ski race and beach events. At the conclusion of the events there is a barbecue on the clubhouse deck. Everyone is welcome.
Whale Beach surf club was founded in 1937. The club is housed in a superb, multi-storied clubhouse that, unusually for a surf club, is owned by the members rather than the local council. The clubhouse includes accommodation for members and a gym as well as board and ski storage.
The club has around 250 active and reserve active members and some 130 supporting associate family members. There is keen competition in surf and beach events each Sunday and members enjoy weekend barbecues on the entertainment deck.
The picturesque beach is relatively small, at around 850m long. The north end, known as "The Wedge", is a favourite surfing spot.
Whale Beach SLSC was the innovator of ocean swims and stages The Big Swim, the annual 2km swim from Palm Beach around Little Head to Whale Beach. Last season, around 1,700 swimmers took part in this premier, journey swim.
Click here to find out more about The Big Swim.
Who are we?
Club Contacts
|
President – Martin Armstrong
Gear Steward – Richard Stewart
Radio Officer – Morgan Webster |
Club Officers’ Roles
PRESIDENT Chief Executive of Club, ex-officio member of all Committees. Invited delegate to SLS Sydney Northern Beaches Branch. Chairman of the Management Committee. The President is the main representative to outside bodies, i.e. Council, sponsors, media, community groups.HONORARY SECRETARY Ex-officio member of Committees, records minutes of management meetings. Receives and distributes mail and emails pertinent to Club affairs. Prepares and disseminates letters and other communications as agreed by Management Committee and instructs Club Administrator as needed. Secretary is a member of Club Executive.
HONORARY TREASURER Oversees management of Club finances and reports to Management Committee at monthly meetings. Approves payment of accounts and manages receipt of membership fees, fundraising and income from other sources with assistance from Club Administrator. Treasurer is a member of Club Executive.
CLUB CAPTAIN Has responsibility for all active members in matters relating to proficient surf lifesaving duties, including attainment of SLSA qualification and responsible use of equipment. Schedules patrols and with Patrol Captains, ensures patrols are adequately attended with proficient members. Encourages members to compete in Club events and carnival competition. Chairs regularly scheduled meetings of the Lifesaving Committee which manages all direct lifesaving matters, and attends Management meetings. Captain is a member of Club Executive.
CLUB VICE CAPTAIN Undertakes responsibility to ensure rostered patrols are fully attended by proficient members. Assists Club Captain in all areas of patrol management and proficiency training and has like powers and authority. Attends Management and Lifesaving Committee meetings.
CHIEF TRAINING OFFICER Organises Bronze Medallion training and all levels of training for the full range of SLSA qualifications. Is responsible with Club Captain to ensure proficiency of all active members. Attends Management and Lifesaving Committee meetings.
IRB CAPTAIN Arranges for upkeep of IRBs and motors to ensure a craft is correctly functioning at all times. Organises proficiency tests of all drivers and crew. Arranges training of new IRB drivers and crew. Ensures safe and responsible use of the IRBs at all times. Ensures correct washdown of motors and craft at end of patrols. Attends Management and Lifesaving Committee meetings.
GEAR STEWARD Responsible for maintenance of all lifesaving patrol equipment, including Oxy-Viva and defibrillator. Organises stock and distribution of uniforms as required. In cooperation with IRB Captain, ensures reliable function of motors and availability of fuel. Assists Board and Ski Captain in repair of damaged craft. Oversees correct use and care of beach vehicle. Ensures correct record of equipment with SurfGuard and coordinates presentation of gear for annual SLSA Gear Inspection. Arranges purchase of new equipment when needed. Attends Management and Lifesaving Committee meetings.
FIRST AID OFFICER Undertakes to ensure provision of SLSA specified items for First Aid room and portable units. Ensures First Aid room is arranged for ready access to first aid needs and for treatment of patients. Keeps room clean to required hygiene standards. Attends Lifesaving Committee meetings.
HONORARY RADIO OFFICER Has the responsibility of the care of the radio units to ensure communications can be made when needed. Ensures members correctly use, care and recharge the radios. Attends Lifesaving Committee meetings.
BOARD AND SKI CAPTAIN Arranges to have boards and skis on beach for Sunday events and to be cleaned and returned to racks. Reports all damages to Gear Steward. Organises skill and fitness training with end objective of carnivals competition. Arranges transport of craft to other beaches. Responsible for sensible use of craft by members. Authority to deny the inexperienced to use craft in bad surf conditions. Attends Lifesaving Committee meetings.
BOAT CAPTAIN Establishes and manages boat crews for competition in surf carnivals. Oversees training of crews. Ensures care of the various surf boats to maintain them in competitive condition. Actively recruits members to become surf boat rowers. Attends Management and Lifesaving Committee meetings.
HONORARY HANDICAPPER Conducts Sunday events for swim, board, ski and beach competition. Records individual performances and establishes handicaps to ensure close competition. Organises Club Championships. Maintains records for Trophy presentations. Attends Lifesaving Committee meetings.
COMPETITION OFFICER Manages the formation of teams for carnivals and ensures timely entries for teams and individuals. Assists Club Captain with the development of training for competition. Assists the Honorary Handicapper in staging of Sunday events and Club Championships. Maintains a record of competition results. Attends Management and Lifesaving Committee meetings.
ENTERTAINMENT SECRETARY Organises Sunday barbecues with rostered members assistance. Plans and conducts other social and fundraising events. Controls and organised purchase of food and beverage needs. Becomes licensee to allow sale of alcohol. Attends Management Committee meetings.
PROPERTY OFFICER Ensures that surf club building is kept in good repair. Currently responsible for overseeing the building renovation. Attends Management Committee meetings.
HOUSE CAPTAIN This is a live-in caretaker position with the officer taking responsibility and authority to ensure good conduct by members on the premises, according to Club rules. Members are required to follow direction on behaviour and to ensure cleanliness of Club facilities. Security of the building is a responsibility. Attends Management Committee meetings.
OH&S OFFICER Required to ensure that the Club premises and activities therein, along with equipment use are compliant with Government regulations to ensure safety of members and public. Attends Management Committee meetings.
PUBLICITY OFFICER Responsible for: a) the integrated communication with members via mail, website and facebook in accordance with accepted Club and SLSA standards; b) informing members about Club activities, patrol advice, training and competition activities; c) the compilation, printing and distribution of the Annual Report; d) obtaining positive publicity in appropriate media about club activities, rescues etc. and the BIG SWIM; e) fielding contact from media seeking information/comment on local and lifesaving issues. Attends Management Committee meetings.
PATROL CAPTAIN Undertakes to ensure that there are adequate patrol members on the beach with qualifications as designated by SLSA. Equipment to be correctly in place and ensure the constant vigilance of patrol members. Undertakes to achieve Silver Medallion qualifications. Attends Lifesaving Committee meetings.
PATROL VICE CAPTAIN Assists in conduct of effective patrolling. Takes full responsibility of function of patrol in absence of Patrol Captain. Needs to be proficient in high level awards such as ARTC, First Aid, IRB. Attends Lifesaving Committee meetings in absence of Patrol Captain.
For information please email wbslsc@bigpond.net.au
March Past team
Whale Beach SLSC runs courses at the beginning of the season. Click here for more...
Lifesaving Education & Courses
Once you have obtained your Bronze Medallion there are many other qualifications you can obtain to become a more competent lifesaver.
Click here for more...
