Patrol
Elwood Life Saving Club’s volunteer lifesavers patrol Elwood foreshore on weekends and public holidays between November and April.
What does it take to become a lifesaver?
Patrollers are assigned to a team and typically cover about nine shifts each season lasting between five and six hours each. Prospective patrollers can gain their surf rescue certificate or bronze medallion through the club. Members undertaking the surf rescue certificate are required to complete a 200m swim in five minutes or less and must be at least 13 years of age on the date of their final assessment. Those undertaking the bronze medallion are required to complete a 400m swim in nine minutes or less and must be aged at least 15 years on the date of the final assessment.
Each award also requires successful completion of theory components covering areas such as surf awareness and skills, resuscitation, first aid, radio operations, communication and rescue techniques. Regular training programs are provided to update and improve lifesaving skills.
All patrolling members must complete an annual proficiency assessment, called skills maintenance, which keeps their lifesaving awards current. This includes the successful completion of a theory component prior to attending a practical assessment.
If you have a question about patrolling at Elwood, including becoming a patrol member, please see our membership page or contact the club captain via clubcaptain@elwoodlsc.com.au. Our latest lifesaving courses are listed on the Training/Courses page.
When are lifesaving patrols?
Patrol times for the season are split up into three different patrol periods.
| Period | Starts | Ends | Patrol Times |
| Pre | November 14, 2026 | December 24, 2026 | 12pm-5pm |
| Peak | December 25, 2026 | February 21, 2027 | 12pm-6pm |
| Post | February 22, 2027 | April 11, 2027 | 12pm-5pm |
Patrol roster
The patrol roster outlines each member’s patrol team and their rostered days on duty. It is vital members check the roster carefully. Members who cannot attend on their rostered day must find a replacement and notify their patrol captain or vice captain in advance.
The Elwood Life Saving Club Member’s Facebook page may assist in helping find a patroller to fill in a shift.
| Team 1 | Team 2 | Team 3 | Team 4 | Team 5 |
| November 14 | November 15 | November 21 | November 22 | November 29 |
| November 28 | December 6 | December 5 | December 13 | December 12 |
| December 19 | December 20 | December 26 | December 27 | December 28 |
| January 1 | January 3 | January 2 | January 9 | January 10 |
| January 16 | January 17 | January 23 | January 24 | January 26 |
| January 30 | January 31 | February 6 | February 14 | February 7 |
| February 13 | February 21 | February 20 | February 28 | February 27 |
| March 6 | March 8 | March 7 | March 14 | March 13 |
| March 20 | March 29 | March 26 | March 27 | March 21 |
| March 28 | April 4 | April 3 | April 25 | April 11 |
| April 10 | – | – | – | – |
All patrollers must arrive at the clubhouse a half hour before their rostered shift to assist with set up and allow a half hour after the end of patrol for pack up.
Members who have gained their surf rescue certificate or bronze medallion and are interested in being assigned a patrol team are urged to contact the club captain via clubcaptain@elwoodlsc.com.au.