Training and Education
At Dampier Surf Life Saving Club, we’re committed to giving our members and the wider community the knowledge, skills and confidence to stay safe in and around the water.
From First Aid and Water Rescue to Sports Education, leadership and mentoring, we offer a wide range of training opportunities designed to help you learn new skills, build confidence and get more involved in surf lifesaving.
Our experienced and passionate trainers combine practical, hands-on learning with the latest knowledge and techniques, ensuring participants are well prepared to respond confidently when it matters most.
Whether you’re taking your first steps into surf lifesaving or looking to build on your existing skills, there’s an opportunity for everyone to learn, grow and connect with our club community.
Training Opportunities
Training courses are free for Dampier SLSC members, while selected courses are also available to members of the wider community for a fee.
Interested in getting involved or finding out what training is available? Get in touch with us today — we’d love to hear from you!
Member Courses
Nipper Rescue Certificate
The Nipper Rescue Certificate is a short 3 hr course for parents/guardians who wish to become involved in their children’s Woodside Nipper water based activities.
We strongly recommend all parents/guardians undertake this course as the club is required to fulfil set ratios to comply with Woodside Nipper water safety requirements.
It is also a great pathway to lifesaving operations such as volunteer lifesaving or water safety for Surf Sport Carnivals or Woodside Nippers.
Bronze Medallion
The Bronze Medallion is a nationally recognised qualification and teaches a range of activities in order to be able to perform all the basic requirements of a lifesaver:
Prerequisite;
Minimum 15 years of age (on the day of final assessment)
Financial member of the Surf Life Saving Club
Completed a 400m flat water swim in less than 9:00 minutes (signed off by an authorised club person)
IRB Crew
The IRB Crew Certificate course allows surf lifesavers to obtain qualifications in crewing an inflatable rescue boat.
Prerequisite;
Minimum of 15 years of age on the date of final assessment.
Hold the SLSA Bronze Medallion
Surf Rescue Certificate
The Surf Rescue Certificate is the very first stage of becoming a lifesaver. Whether you plan to compete in surf sports or simply patrol, there are plenty of opportunities and a variety of challenges within a surf club. Members aged 13-15 will complete this Certificate during the season.
Provide First Aid
Nationally accredited (HLTAID011), The First Aid course provides participants with the knowledge and skills needed to manage emergency first aid situations and deliver competent emergency care until the arrival of professional medical support.
IRB Driver
The IRB Driver Award (Silver Medallion) course is run for Members through Surf Life Saving Clubs. The aim of this course is to help candidates develop skills and knowledge to safely and effectively drive an Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB).
Prerequisite;
Minimum of 16 years of age to commence training
Minimum of 17 years of age on the date of final assessment
Hold and be currently proficient in the SLSA awards: Bronze Medallion and IRB Crew Certificate
Hold a Recreational Skippers Ticket
Community Courses
Dampier SLSC provides training for community members in the following ‘fee for service’ courses.
Duration: 6 hours
Cost: Full Course $120, Refresher $90
Minimum age: 13 years
Build the skills and confidence to keep others safe in the water.
The Community Surf Rescue Certificate provides participants with practical skills and knowledge to safely supervise and respond to emergencies in and around aquatic environments.
The course is ideal for schools, outdoor education providers, surf programs, community organisations and commercial aquatic operators, and is recognised under Department of Education water safety guidelines.
Participants will develop essential skills in water safety, risk assessment, supervision, basic first aid and surf rescue techniques, giving them the confidence to identify hazards and respond effectively in an emergency.
What you'll learn
The course covers:
SLSA beach and emergency signals
Aquatic risk assessment and hazard identification
Identifying safe beach zones
Supervision of participants in an open-water environment
Basic first aid relevant to aquatic environments
Surf rescue techniques, including tube and bodyboard rescues
Water safety, survival and rescue techniques
Assessment requirements
Participants will be required to demonstrate:
100m run + 100m swim + 100m run — completed within 5 minutes
200m swim using a recognised stroke — completed within 5 minutes
Practical surf rescue techniques
Basic first aid skills
Beach supervision and risk assessment skills
SLSA signals
A theory assessment
The Community Surf Rescue Certificate is suitable for anyone aged 13 years and over and is particularly valuable for those responsible for supervising children or groups in and around aquatic environments.