LEADERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

State Opportunities

Lifesaving Development Camp (16 - 17 years old)

The Lifesaving Development Camp is a five day / four night camp based at Chiton Rocks SLSC and the south coast beaches/pool to develop lifesaving, leadership and aquatic search and rescue skills for 16 and 17 year olds. It is an ideal opportunity for those who are looking to push their lifesaving skills and build a knowledge of emergency operations. The week is equally challenging and rewarding as participants undertake a number of advanced SLS awards (culminating in the Cert III in Public Safety (Aquatic Search and Rescue)), lifesaving and emergency operations activities and scenarios.

The 2024 camp will be held from Sunday 8th December - Friday 13th December 2024 at Chiton Rocks SLSC. Details can be found here on our Calendar which will be updated as more details are released, including application process/timeline.

Youth Development Camp (Under 14/15)

The aim of the U14/15 Youth Development Camp is to allow participants to explore the different pathways open to them as they transition to Senior patrolling members of their club. Activities may include lifesaving skills and personal development, leadership and teamwork as well as fun activities. Participation is via club nomination.

The camp is held in the April school holidays over three days / two nights at Adare campsite at Victor Harbor. Clubs are expected to provide volunteer adults/leaders to assist with the activities and chaperoning duties.

Dates for 2024 camp are 16 - 18 April 2024. Details can be found here on our Calendar.

National Opportunities

National Leadership College (18 - 30 year olds)

The National Leadership College is the accumulation of year on year development of the nationally delivered leadership program. The college philosophy is 'interactive shared learning' and relates SLSA's leadership competencies to grass roots surf life saving. This is achieved through key note speakers and a focus on facilitator lead workshops.

The college assumes participants come into it with some previous exposure to leadership training, preferably from within the surf life saving leadership pathway, but it could also come from their careers outside of surf. Potential participants can come from a range of different backgrounds, interests and areas of focus within the club environment - although it is preferable that they have been involved in previous state leadership training. These future leaders are most likely patrol captains, chief instructors, club captains, age managers etc.

SLSA Leaders Masterclass

The aim of the SLSA Leaders' Masterclass (formerly SLSA Leaders' Conference) is to provide an opportunity for existing leaders within SLSA (at all levels) to participate in a high-level leadership development program. The target audience for this masterclass includes committee members i.e. President, Deputy President, Lifesaving, Surf Sports and Junior/Youth roles. They should aspire to club/branch/state leadership roles into the future (next 3 years). The conference will provide participants with an environment that will enable them to refresh and extend their leadership capabilities. Details of next intake will be updated here when available.

SLSA Women’s Mentoring Program

SLSA embraces the importance of a diverse and inclusive organisation, including gender equality, and seeks to increase the number of women who hold leadership roles within SLS nationally. The Women’s Mentoring Program supports and encourages confident, strong and skilled women within SLS, to strengthen leadership skills, and identify, and develop the next generation of leaders to position SLS for the future.

  • Next intake commences November. CIRCULAR (including online application links for both Mentor and Mentee roles).

Leadership Alumni Network

A Leadership Alumni Network is currently being established to provide an ongoing support network for those members who participate in national leadership programs such as the Leaders Masterclass, Sir Adrian Curlewis Scholarship and National Leadership College.

The Leadership Alumni Network is still in design, but we anticipate it will offer an opportunity for members to share experiences, knowledge and ideas in a likeminded environment. The network will be chiefly an e-forum that communicates the latest thinking in leadership, management and areas directly related to surf life saving. If you have previously been a part of a SLSA leadership program and would like to join the alumni and network please contact us at development@surflifesavingsa.com.au

CLUB DEVELOPMENT

Surf Life Saving South Australia has over 20 clubs with a total membership in excess of 9000, which continues to grow each year. In order to keep our clubs and members motivated and to ensure the future viability of the organisation, it is important that we provide opportunities to develop their skills and abilities, and that clubs pursue development opportunities that are made available by Government and other sources. 

A number of websites provide documents, resources and online tools to assist clubs: