Summer in the surf club

With about 800 members of all ages, Shellharbour Surf Lifesaving Club is one of the biggest on the South Coast – and its patrol captain is fully aware of how each one integrates with others to create the harmonious whole. 

Chris Girvan knows the club’s greatest strength lies in its inclusivity – “from cradle to grave” – and it’s a view chief training officer Merryl Robertson shares. 

“Surf lifesaving isn’t just about getting in the water and rescuing people,’’ Meryl says. 

“There’s something here for everyone. You can find your strengths here and run with them, and you meet beautiful people along the way. That’s one of the massive things that’s come out of it – our closest friends are here.” 

Founded in 1936, this family-oriented club has nearly 20 life members who’ve helped look after generations of local families for almost 90 years. This year, the club has close to 500 children enrolled in its nippers program, and more than 70 beach pups (children under five). Along with surf safety skills, the club offers a sense of community, and families like Merryl’s benefit from an opportunity for everyone to contribute.

“We’ve been involved in the club since my eldest daughter was in under 6s. She’s 20 now and an age manager herself. My husband, Drew, is the president this year, and with our three daughters, the five of us have all been a part of the club as a family for many years,” Merryl says.

“Having my kids be surf-safe and surf-aware was our priority initially. We went along to each surf club along the coast over a couple of Sundays, and what caught my eye at this club was that it is very, very family oriented. 

‘’People were friendly, and it wasn’t solely based on competition – it was unreal. And now here we are, running training programs.”

The families involved in the club are the driving force behind its success. Every member is an important part of a huge team working together to ensure the safety of the community.

“Surf lifesaving is an absolute beast,” Merryl says. ‘’There are so many cogs in the wheel of surf lifesaving, but there are different elements to it. Some might be really proficient in the IRB (inflatable rescue boat), some of us are better with dealing with the board, some are better at handling kids. It’s a massive thing.’’ 

This diversity is exactly what makes the club thrive. Merryl’s daughter, Piper Robertson, is a club cadet, and agrees that the strength of the club lies in its collective effort.

“The cadet program tries new things and it’s such a great community where you feel supported; even if you’re not good at something, you’ll give it a go anyway, and if you fail, they’ll help you and you’ll try again, and that’s what’s really important. There’s no failure here,” says Piper. “Everyone’s a piece in the puzzle of the surf club, and everyone has their own strengths, and when we put them all together, it just works, and that’s what’s needed.”

Skills for life

The club’s dedication to safety and education equips young people with certifications and skills that benefit them throughout their lives, professionally and personally. Being involved in the club has helped young members such as Cameron Stephen, who joined with his mother, Melanie, in 2019 after moving from rural Mildura. 

Cameron says the experience helps him “feel a lot more confident”.

“Knowing that you can react calmly or know what to do in dangerous situations just makes it a lot safer,” he says.

As public officer, Melanie appreciates the way the surf club creates opportunities for young people like her son, who’ve gained practical skills and lifesaving qualifications through being members.

“Our programs get our youth to practice interviews as well as their surf qualifications. That has helped them get a lot of jobs, particularly at Jamberoo Action Park, but knowing first aid and other things helps them at many other jobs, too. 

“Surf Lifesaving means that people get to gain life skills continually,” says Melanie.

All patrolling members are required to run courses to educate members in various awards, such as the bronze medallion, surf rescue certificate and advanced resuscitation techniques, and must update their proficiencies each year to maintain their skills.

“Growing up in the club was also a really good thing,” Piper says. “I know I can trust myself, and I’ve built so many skills on being safe around friends and in the water, and meeting new people. They play into all parts of my life.

“The support from the older people here, like having the knowledge and education for them to hand down to us as juniors – that’s a massive, massive part of it.”

In the water, patrolling members play to their individual strengths to conduct rescues, utilising tubes, boards, IRBs or jet skis, depending on conditions and skills of the rescuer.

“We are massive on prevention,” says Melanie. “Not watching someone walk into a rip before we have to go out and rescue them. It’s always done in a kind way, and it’s about educating them as beach-goers, as well.” 

Overcoming challenges

Like many volunteer organisations, the club faced pandemic challenges such as social distancing and declining membership. Now, the club’s biggest challenge is its growing numbers.

“It’s growing, so we need to grow with that,” Merryl says. “We don’t think our numbers are going to decline; we think they’re going to increase. So what strategies are we putting forward now to help maintain that in the future?

“We’re providing a service, not just patrol, but what we’re doing with nippers is educating them in surf safety, which is the most important thing. There’s surf sports and competition ingrained in that too. 

“We’re thinking about how to keep members here, keep them wanting to come and keep learning as they go – from people who can hardly get their feet wet because they’re terrified to those who just go out there and train, train, train.

“That’s a positive challenge to have, because we are growing here and our team leaders are people who want to look forward and problem-solve to develop those ideas.”

The club is also aiming to improve youth retention, specifically among cadets, such as Piper and Cameron, who are seen as crucial role models for younger children.

“When they get to this teenage stage, they’re starting to find work for themselves, so it’s hard to get them out to patrol,” Merryl says. 

“Also, there’s a social stigma element, like is it still cool enough to go down to the surf club and hang out?”

Piper says: “When the youth see all the fun activities that we get up to and how we influence the club, it makes them want to stay … and participate in the activities that we do. 

“Integrating us doing water safety with the juniors really gets us collecting more members that want to get to know us more and want to join us in the future.”

Upcoming events

The club hosts several major events, including:

• Club Championships: Five sets of championship events are run during the season
in which nippers (under 5s through to under 14s) and seniors (under 15s and older) can compete and participate.

• Social Gatherings: The club runs Sippers after the club championships, so parents and members can socialise.

• Branch Carnival: Shellharbour will host an event that includes the 11 surf clubs from Warilla south to Mollymook in early 2026.

• Ocean Swim: A major fundraiser run by the club in April.

• Nippers Christmas Party + Santa Photos on the Beach:  A massive fundraiser for the nippers program, known for Santa’s creative entrances, including arriving by helicopter, boat, and skydiving. Photos available from 28 November and Santa will arrive at the Nippers Xmas Party on 21 December, 8:30-10:30am at Shellharbour SLSC.

The club thanks sponsors including Campbell Towing and Leisure Coast Kitchens.

For more information follow the club on Facebook @shellharbourslsc