Bulli joins Sydney lifesavers in celebrating Rainbow Beaches Day

On Sunday, February 19, Surf Life Saving Clubs across Sydney celebrated the fourth annual Lifesavers with Pride Rainbow Beaches Day initiative, and this year Bulli SLSC joined the chorus of proud clubs.

Marking the first year of participation for an Illawarra club, Bulli’s Sunday patrol teams six and seven donned 'Lifesavers with Pride' stickers, adorned the surf patrol gazebo with LGBTQIA+ flags, and positioned the new Pride Rescue Board front and centre in the name of celebrating inclusion.

Surf Life Saving Illawarra Director of Member Services Maria Caldwell says Rainbow Beaches Day is a chance for surf clubs to demonstrate that they embrace members and visitors from all walks of life.

“Rainbow Beaches Day is just showing the strength and diversity of local communities, and surf clubs demonstrating that they’re safe, proud and welcoming of everyone and everybody onto the beach,” Maria said.

“[Bulli SLSC] thought it was great to be able to decorate the patrol, and it’s something a bit different.

“The club was quite happy to do it, and they had the Pride Board down on the beach yesterday as well, though it goes down all the time [now].”

Since the launch of the Pride Rescue Boards – designed by members of Bellambi SLSC – in early February, more than 130 have been ordered nationally, and one has been shipped to the United Kingdom. Of those 130 boards, surf clubs across the Illawarra have already received six, with that number likely to grow during the 2023 Sydney WorldPride celebrations this March.

Though Rainbow Beaches Day was officially celebrated on February 19, Maria says some surf clubs may have chosen to celebrate this coming weekend in association with the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

“If you happen to be at a beach, any beach, and you see the rainbow colours around the patrol, it’s signifying Rainbow Beaches Day being about inclusivity and being safe, whether you’re a [club] member or a member of the public,” Maria said.

“It’s not just a one weekend thing; it’s signifying that surf clubs are inclusive [and] celebrate diversity all year round.

“It’s what surf clubs are.”