Ready for the Season? Skills Maintenance 2025 is Here!
As the weather warms up and we prepare to hit the sand and surf, it’s time to make sure you’re ready to patrol, keep our beaches safe and serve the community. This means it’s Skills Maintenance season, or as some like to refer to it, Proficiency time. It is your chance to refresh, update, and prove your lifesaving skills are rescue ready for the year ahead. Getting your skills refreshed is not just about compliance – it’s about confidence, teamwork, and starting summer strong.
“Skills Maintenance is one of the best ways to reconnect with your club, brush off the winter cobwebs, and head into the season feeling ready for anything.” - Damien Marangon, SLSSA Chief Executive Officer.
WHAT HAS CHANGED THIS YEAR
There are a number of inclusions and exclusions in proficiences this year.
Out is:
Run-swim-run
Board rescue
First Aid
In is:
Lifesaving CPR – making sure you’re ready for any emergency
Run-Swim-Rescue – tube rescue to test your speed, fitness, and rescue skills
IRB Updates – ensuring drivers and crews are up to date with the latest on the water
How to Become Proficient
Depending on the awards you hold, will depend on what you will need to do. Generally, to stay patrol-ready, members who hold SRC or Bronze Awards, will need to complete:
E-learning via the SLS Members Hub – complete the online theory before your dry and wet practical sessions
Dry Practical Session – brush up on CPR and rescue techniques on land.
Wet Practical Session – head into the water to demonstrate your run-swim-rescue.
Returning Members
If you are returning to surf after not being involved for a while, GREAT and welcome back!
Depending how long you have been away, and what you have missed, will determine what you need to do to become proficient again. For more information about this and support, head to the Returning Member section of the SLSSA website and talk to your club’s Chief Instructor or Head of Education.
Important: If you don’t complete all elements of the skills maintenance required for the awards you hold, you won’t be deemed proficient this season. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are signed off. For more information about Skills Maintenance, what’s involved, and to answer any common questions, CLICK HERE.