Central Coast Council presented Surf Life Saving Central Coast (SLSCC) with a $213,250 cheque yesterday at Copacabana Surf Life Saving Club.

The funding was the third instalment of the current three-year sponsorship funding agreement from Council and will assist in maintaining vital beach safety services across 15 surf clubs on the Central Coast during the 2019-20 summer season.

Mayor Lisa Matthews said Surf Life Saving Central Coast beach patrols make an invaluable contribution to the community.

“The partnership that exists between Council and Surf Life Saving Central Coast provides a seamless service for residents and visitors every day of the beach season,” Mayor Matthews said.

“The service provided is so much more than beach patrols. Training and education programs have reached over 30,000 people, promoting beach safety and connecting families and young people right across our region.

“And what is more, they are all volunteers. Giving up their time to help and support our growing community and we are grateful for their service.

“Local surf clubs are vital to our community. The sponsorship funding will assist Surf Life Saving buy the essential equipment and run the programs needed to keep our community safe on our beautiful beaches.”

The sponsorship funding will be used to purchase rescue boards, IRB motors, servicing of oxygen equipment, programming of radios within the new communication network and educational swim between the flag messaging.

SLSCC Chief Executive Officer, Narelle Duggan thanked Council for their ongoing support and continued recognition of the services provided by SLSCC.

“The funding provided by Council will make a large difference to our volunteers roles, as it will ensure they have the necessary lifesaving equipment required to protect the Central Coast community this summer,” Ms Duggan said.

“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.”

On Central Coast beaches last summer, volunteer lifesavers saved 496 lives, prevented 20,392 people from getting into difficulty, responded to 898 first aid cases and contributed over 96,444 volunteer patrol hours to keep the public safe.

SLSCC volunteer lifesavers patrol our beaches on weekends and on public holidays, while Council lifeguards patrol from Monday to Friday.