2025 Sharkskin IRB SA State Team Announced

Surf Life Saving SA is thrilled to congratulate the 28 competitors and team managers selected for the 2025 IRB SA State Team, proudly sponsored by Sharkskin.

The crew will head to South West Rocks, New South Wales from 16 July - 20 July 2025 to face the best IRB racers in the country at the Interstate Championships which coincide Aussies.

STATE TEAM COMPETITORS

Zachariah Dean (Aldinga Bay)

Oscar Rudman (Aldinga Bay)

Leo Oliver (Aldinga Bay)

Kristi Bedford (Aldinga Bay)

Amy Neville (Aldinga Bay)

Paul Perry (Aldinga Bay)

Charlee Taylor (Aldinga Bay)

Summer Corbett (Aldinga Bay)

Jacqui Corbett (Aldinga Bay)

Rosemarie Domingues (Aldinga Bay)

Brittany Van Kruyssen (Aldinga Bay)

Mandi Bedford (Aldinga Bay)

Ellie Morgan (Brighton SLSC)

Louisa Beaumont (Brighton SLSC)

Chelsea Frost (Brighton SLSC)

Kane Butler (Brighton SLSC)

Will McNamara (Brighton SLSC)

Liam Taurins (Brighton SLSC)

Ingrid Cobiac (Brighton SLSC)

Ashleigh Chappill (Brighton SLSC)

Michael  O’Sullivan (Brighton SLSC)

Daniel Cootes (Brighton SLSC)

Jacob Newrick (Brighton SLSC)

Emily Fowles (Port Noarlunga SLSC)

Trent Stone (Port Noarlunga SLSC)

Jack Millsteed (Somerton SLSC)

STATE TEAM MANAGEMENT

Andrew Bedford (Aldinga Bay SLSC)

Mandi Bedford (Aldinga Bay SLSC)

Paul Perry (Aldinga Bay SLSC)

Scott Axton (Aldinga Bay SLSC)

Ingrid Cobiac (Brighton SLSC)

The squad was presented with their official state gear at the 2025 Sharkskin SA IRB State Championships

Silver Medallion Patrol Captain Courses 2025

The Patrol Captain course is a vital opportunity for members to develop leadership abilities and ensure the safety of our community.

The Silver Medallion Patrol Captain Course is a two-day course that aims to equip members with the skills and knowledge required to confidently manage a beach and run patrols as a Surf Life Saving Patrol Captain, especially under different and challenging situations.

“It plays a crucial role in standardising the emergency response by local patrols, ensuring that our procedures are consistent and effective across the State. I strongly encourage all eligible members to consider enrolling in future sessions” says Sean Faulkner, SLSSA Lifesaving & Emergency Operations Manager.

The Silver Medallion Patrol Captain courses are scenario based to provide the best learning opportunities and experience. Stephanie Horne, a Patrol Captain at South Port SLSC, participated in the course and greatly benefited from the learnings, successfully applying the knowledge to her patrols.

“I liked how we had scenarios where there were multiple rescues and first aid cases. I also learned how to manage my team and resources effectively, so that the beach was still able to remain as safe as possible. After the training, I had the confidence to put the things I had learned into practice. This included briefings and post-incident debriefings, to ensure that as a patrol, we were better placed for next time something happened and as a result, other patrol members seemed to be more engaged and understood what they needed to do,” she said.

In light of the upcoming 2025/26 season, this is a great opportunity for SLSSA and clubs to support the development of volunteers to ensure they are equipped with the skills, understanding and abilities to support South Australian beachgoers.

COURSE DETAILS

• Learning Outcomes

  By the end of this course, you should be able to:

  • Know the role and responsibilities of a patrol captain including lead patrol set up and pack down, and managing the beach

  • Apply leadership techniques to manage multiple incidents as a patrol captain

  • Apply the principles of effective leadership to motivate and engage team members

  • Coordinate the response to minor and major incidents including working with multi-agencies

  • Effectively communicate in difficult situations, including managing inappropriate public behaviour

  • Action operational risk and hazard management

  • Effectively manage a patrol team including the delegation of operational tasks

  • Conduct effective briefing and de-briefing, including follow-up.

• Target Group

  The Patrol Captain course is aimed at those who are current Patrol Captains, Vice Patrol Captains or those who are looking to step into these roles in the near future.

• Requirements & Pre-requisites

  Requirements

  • Minimum 18 years old

  • Hold a SLSA Bronze Medallion or have held a SLSA Bronze Medallion and currently hold a patrolling award

  • Have 2 years patrolling experience

  Pre-Requisites

  • Completed the eLearning, including online assessments

  • Completed and saved the leadership workbook found within eLearning

  • Downloaded the SLSSA Operations app and have access to the Surf Risk Rating

• Course Delivery & Assessment

  • Face to face training completed over 2 full days.

  • Day one is theory based and day two is practical scenarios

  • eLearning component (6-8 hours) including online assessments

  • Completed the On-the Job Third Party Report.

    This may be signed off by an active Patrol Captain, Patrol Vice Captain, Club Captain or Chief Instructor

  Assessment Requirements

  • Online eLearning Assessment

  • Practical Assessment

• Cost

  Course is free for all members

COURSE DATES & LOCATIONS

 APPLICATION PROCESS

• Each course is limited to 12 candidates and therefore a selection process is in place.

• Successful applications will be based on the quality of the application and support from your Club Chief Instructor or Club Captain.  

• If interested, please submit an application via the link below:

Key Dates

• Applications close: 18th August

• Club Approvals close: 20th August

• Notification of Selection: By 22nd August  

• eLearning due: One week prior to the start of your course

Pathway Opportunities

Gaining this award is recommended for those considering senior lifesaving opportunities such as:

• Patrol Captain or Club Captain at your club

• Duty Officer within the SLSSA Emergency Operations Group (EOG)
  

More Information

Any questions, please contact the Member Education Team via:

E: member.ed@surflifesavingsa.com.au | P: 08 8354 6900.

Ralph Bock awarded SLSSA Life Membership

Surf Life Saving SA was proud to award Life Membership to Ralph Bock from Grange SLSC at the 2025 Awards of Excellence.

Our newest Life Member has dedicated over five decades to the movement - starting his journey in 1969 at Grange. Since then, Ralph has made incredible contributions across all facets of surf lifesaving – from frontline lifesaving, education and high-level administration to officiating, coaching and competing.

At Grange he’s held an array of leadership roles, including President, Deputy President, Club Captain, Competition Officer, Ski Captain, Trainer and Assessor, and various Committee positions. Meanwhile at state level, he’s served on the State Council, Competition Panels, and Surf Sports Advisory Committee.

With more than 960 patrol hours, Ralph is a Gold Medallion holder and was notably part of the initial Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter crew in 1974. As a dedicated trainer and assessor, he’s guided hundreds of members across multiple clubs in achieving their Bronze Medallion, IRB Crew, and IRB Driver qualifications, while continuing to shape education statewide through the State Assessors Panel.

In surf sports, his legacy is equally impressive. As a coach, Ralph has guided both male and female athletes to many State and National medals across ski, board, ironman and surf boat events. A long time Junior Age Group Instructor, he’s also nurtured the next generation of athletes with dedication and care.

Since becoming an official in 2008, he’s played a pivotal role in elevating the profile and professionalism of board riding events through strong leadership and collaboration with Surfing SA. His expertise has been recognised at the highest levels, having officiated at World Championships, while his ongoing commitment to developing others sees him regularly mentor new officials.

A decorated competitor across Junior, Open and Masters divisions, Ralph claimed their first Australian gold in the Junior Ski in 1974 and their most recent in 2017 in Masters Longboard Riding. His many victories span across many disciplines, including ski, board, Ironman, Taplin, beach, surf boats, board riding and board rescue at State, National and World levels.