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.

Become a Trainer or Assessor with SLSSA!

Join the Lifesaving Education Team

Are you passionate about surf lifesaving and education?

Have you ever considered sharing your knowledge and experience to help shape the next generation of surf lifesavers?

Now is your chance to take the next step in your surf lifesaving journey by becoming a Trainer or Assessor with Surf Life Saving South Australia (SLSSA)!

Cassie Wilmot, Goolwa SLSC trainer, completed the Assessor Skill Set course last year, which has allowed her to step into the role of an Assessor. “I love training and sharing knowledge. Then, when a rescue occurs, to hear the members say, ‘I used everything I learnt’ and ‘what you taught me helped me save a life’ is incredibly rewarding,” she said.

“During my 10+ years of being a trainer, I’ve found it’s been hard to constantly ask for assessors for my squads. There is definitely a need for more assessors in this space, and I felt I had the experience and knowledge to assess. So, considering the new assessor course changes and updates to the training, plus the time of year it was being offered, I decided it was time to put my hand up for it.

“The course itself was great! There is minimal homework and everything was able to be completed in the allocated face-to-face time, which meant once we committed to those six full days, we didn’t require much more outside the time, which helps in the business of life!”

Why should you consider getting involved in the education space in Surf Life Saving?

Working as a volunteer Trainer or Assessor within SLSSA offers a unique and rewarding opportunity to contribute to the lifesaving community. By becoming part of our education team, you will be directly involved in developing and delivering the skills and knowledge associated with the different SLS Awards needed to keep our beaches safe.

As a Trainer, you'll have the opportunity to:

• Make an impact

• Inspire the next generation

• Build valuable skills

• Give back to the community

Becoming a Trainer or an Assessor not only provides personal and professional growth, but it also helps strengthen our lifesaving network. It’s an incredibly fulfilling way to contribute to your community while honing your own skill set.

Off-Season Courses

Surf Life Saving South Australia is now accepting applications for:

• TAESS00029 Volunteer Trainer Delivery Skill Set - for those who are looking to gain the TAE qualifications and become a trainer.

• TAESS0019 Assessor Skill Set - for current Trainers who do not hold the Assessor Skill Set or for teachers who are eligible to train in the RTO space.

For more information about Teachers to Trainers, click HERE

What You Can Expect

• Comprehensive training in both theory and practical components

• Supportive, hands-on learning environment

• Opportunities for networking and ongoing professional development

• A rewarding pathway to advancing your involvement in Surf Life Saving

Key Dates

TAESS00029 Volunteer Trainer Delivery Skill Set Course

• Application Close: Monday 9th June, 12pm

• Online Induction Session: Tuesday 1st July, 6pm - 7pm

• Face-to-Face Sessions: 

  • Days 1 & 2: Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th July, 8:30am - 4:30pm, SLSSA

  • Day 3: Sunday 20th July, 8:30am - 4:30pm, SLSSA

TAESS0019 Assessor Skill Set

• Applications Close: Monday 16th June, 12pm

• Online Induction Session: Tuesday 15th July

• Face-to-Face Sessions:

  • Days 1 & 2: 26th and 27th July, 8:30am - 4:30pm, SLSSA

  • Days 3 & 4: 30th and 31st August, 8:30am - 4:30pm, SLSSA

  • Days 5 & 6: 18th and 19th October, 8:30am - 4:30pm, SLSSA

Applications

If you're ready to take the next step in your surf lifesaving journey and share your knowledge with others, now is the time to get involved!

For more information about the role of a Trainer or Assessor, click HERE.

To apply, submit an application below.

Together, let's continue to make South Australia's beaches safe and welcoming for everyone!