Central Coast Council presented Surf Life Saving Central Coast (SLSCC) with a $201,000 cheque at North Avoca Surf Club, for the first installment of a three year sponsorship funding agreement.

Announced in July 2017, the funding will assist SLSCC with maintaining vital beach safety services across 15 surf clubs on the Central Coast.

Council Mayor, Jane Smith, said the funding program will allow for the development and growth of Surf Life Saving on the Coast.

“The sponsorship funding will assist Surf Life Saving with continuing to provide the community with essential beach patrol services, life saving equipment and educational swim between the flag messaging” said Mayor Smith.

“Local surf clubs are vital to the overall services provided to our community. Volunteer lifesavers patrol our beaches on weekends and on public holidays, while Council lifeguards patrol from Monday to Friday.

”By working in partnership we can ensure seamless service seven days a week.

“It’s vital that Council and Surf Life Saving work together to maintain our reputation as having some of the safest beaches and the highest quality lifesaving services in Australia.”

On our beaches last summer, volunteer lifesavers at Central Coast beaches saved 1,115 lives; prevented a further 16,320 people from getting into difficulty; and contributed almost 100,000 volunteer patrol hours keeping the public safe.

Surf Life Saving Central Coast CEO, Chris Parker said the movement was grateful that Central Coast Council has continued to recognise the importance of such a necessary community service.

“The funding provided by Council will ensure volunteer lifesavers from local surf will have all the necessary lifesaving equipment they need to protect the community at Central Coast beaches this summer,” said Mr Parker.

“The positive relationship we have with Council is very important, as it ensures aligned lifesaving services and the safest beaches possible for the Central Coast community.”