Surf Lifesaving

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The University of Plymouth Surf Lifesaving Club 2024/2025

Welcome to Surf Lifesaving!

Welcome to our Lifesaving Club, a place where safety meets community! Did you used to be in a swim club, but it was too intense for you? Or do you just enjoy swimming and want to improve your fitness. Then come along to our taster sessions and see if this is the club for you. We welcome all abilities, whether you're a trained lifeguard or someone looking for a new experience the only requirement we ask for is a basic swimming ability.

We compete in a league called BULSCA where we are one of eleven clubs. See more below regarding competitions

Training Times at Plymouth's Life Centre

Mondays 9:00pm-10:00pm (Meet on the SU roof for 8:20pm)

Thursday 8:30pm -10:00pm (Meet on the SU roof for 7:50pm)

Incase there's any confusion we'll keep you posted on our socials :)

What is Lifesaving?

At Surf Lifesaving, we specialize in a wide range of rescue techniques, including both water-based and dry land rescues. Our qualified team is equipped with the skills and knowledge to ensure safety in a variety of water-based environments as well as on land. Our training covers a wide spectrum of scenarios, from panicking casualties trying to pull you under to simple first aid pool side. While these skills are great for competing, they will stay with you for life! Our training consists of an even split between general fitness, first aid and lifesaving water techniques! With trips to beaches such as Newquay and Dawlish Warren these skills are pushed even further when being tested at sea. On these trips, you will learn the beach aspect of lifesaving such as tube rescues and how to safely get a casualty on the board!

At competitons your skills will not only be tested through races but SERCs, which are simulated emergency response competiton tests. SERCs test the judgement and initiative of each lifesaver while working as a team underpressure. SIRCs are split up into water and dry scenarios, which are at every competiton we attend.

While everyone has different strengths, we encourage everyone to attend competitions as this helps build confidence, allows you to push yourself and is an opportunity to meet fellow lifesavers from different universities. We travel all over the UK focusing on beating past Plymouth records as well as having fun.

Upcoming Competitions

November 16th - Nottingham

November 30th - Warwick

December 9th - Birmingham

February 8th - Bristol

February 22nd - Southampton

May 10th - Loughborough

March 15/16th - Crawley (BULSCA Championships 2025)

Qualifications

To qualify for champs (the big end of year competition we take part in) all competitors require an NLA (National Lifesaving Award) or other equivalent qualifications such as an NPLQ or Survive and Save Award. Throughout the year we will grant members the opportunity to gain an NLA award. The skills we teach also help prepare members incase they wish to take an NPLQ with an external organisation such as The Lifecentre!

Achievements

Silver medal at the 2012 Championships in Bath
Gold medal in the RNLI Simulated Incident in the 2015 Championships.
Many of our members qualified for the World Lifesaving Championships during the RLSS National Speeds Competition.
Gold medal in the women's singles event for rope throw in the 2020 Bristol Championships. She also set a BULSCA record! Go Keira!
Silver medal in the women's group rope throw in the 2020 Bristol Championships
Silver medal in the women's medley relay in the 2022 Coventry Championships.