The Central Coast’s Surf Life Saving Clubs will receive $201,000 annually as part of a three year sponsorship funding agreement with Central Coast Council to help continue their vital beach safety work.

Surf Life Saving Central Coast (SLSCC) and Central Coast Council are embarking on a newly developed funding program which will allow for the development and growth of Surf Life Saving on the Central Coast and continue to support the 15 surf clubs based in the region.

Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said the surf clubs provide a vital service to the community and this support from Council would allow them to continue beach safety patrols and educational programs to the Coasts many residents and visitors.

“There is no doubt that Surf Life Saving Central Coast volunteers make an invaluable contribution to our community,” Mr Reynolds said.

“Last summer season, our volunteer lifesavers saved over 1,160 lives; prevented nearly 21,400 people from getting into difficulty; and contributed over 97,400 volunteer hours to keeping the public safe at Central Coast beaches - and I would like to thank them for their efforts.

“This sponsorship funding from Central Coast Council helps our local surf clubs to provide this essential service for our community.”

Surf clubs sharing Council’s owned and funded fleet equipment allows Council and SLSCC to work together on a consistent approach to providing beach safety across the entire region.

“Council further facilitates this essential service for the community by owning and building most surf club buildings which are leased by the Surf Life Saving Clubs and providing our own Lifeguard service across The Central Coast on weekdays.

The clubs also run training and education programs at the beaches and in schools reaching over 29,600 Central Coast children last season. This invaluable education encourages beach safety and connects families and young people across the Central Coast region.

Council’s surf lifesaving fleet of equipment includes All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV’s) and Jet-skis and is shared by Council with the regions surf lifesaving clubs. This fleet support from Council to surf clubs is valued at approximately fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) annually.

SLSCC CEO, Chris Parker, said SLSCC was pleased with this confirmation of ongoing funding and the positive working relationship with Council.

“Our 15 Central Coast clubs and the branch are thankful for Council’s continued recognition of the service we provide and our importance to the community,” Mr Parker said.

“The support from Council is vital in ensuring we can continue to deliver this important lifesaving service to the beach going community. “

Central Coast beaches are a huge part of the Central Coast community and a major drawcard to visitors of the Central Coast. It’s essential that we continue to maintain our reputation as having some of the safest beaches and highest quality lifesaving services in Australia.

“Our relationship with Council is an important one and we look forward to continuing to work closely with them into the future to keep our community safe at local beaches,” Mr Parker said.

The region’s 15 surf clubs are The Lakes Surf Life Saving Club, Soldiers Beach Surf Life Saving Club, North Entrance Surf Life Saving Club, The Entrance Surf Life Saving Club, Toowoon Bay Surf Life Saving Club, Shelly Beach Surf Life Saving Club, Wamberal Surf Life Saving Club, Terrigal Surf Life Saving Club, North Avoca Surf Life Saving Club, Avoca Beach Surf Life Saving Club, Copacabana Surf Life Saving Club, MacMasters Beach Surf Life Saving Club, Killcare Surf Life Saving Club, Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club, Umina Surf Life Saving Club.