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Do I have to do a Bronze Medallion?If you’re 15+ and wanting to join as an ‘Active’ (patrolling) member the most common way to do this is by completing a Bronze Medallion. Please also contact our Club Administrator so that we can get you on the contact list for the next Bronze Medallion course
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Do I (and my child) need to be a member to participate in Nippers?At least one parent / caregiver must also join Swanny to be present and assist during the Nipper program as required. It is preferable that both parents join because firstly, it’d be great to have the whole family involved but secondly it also provides the parents / caregivers with attendance flexibility and ensures you are all covered by our insurance when on the beach. For those parents with no SLSA award, you can elect to join as an Associate Member or even better sign up to complete your Bronze Medallion and become a lifesaver! Generally, new families will register in the Junior Activity Member (Nippers) and Associate Member (Nipper parents) categories.
Next Course Dates: October – November 2024 or February – March 2025
What is The Bronze Medallion?
Ready to dive in and become a surf lifesaver? Swanbourne Nedlands Surf Life Saving Club invites you to achieve your Bronze Medallion - the core award to becoming a volunteer surf lifesaver and keeping our beaches safe in the iconic red and yellow uniform. Swanbourne Nedlands Surf Life Saving Club runs two Bronze Medallion courses each season and we welcome community and socially minded people wanting to learn new skills, meet new people, be active and have a great time on the beach.
Bronze Medallion holders gain skills that could save lives, like resuscitation, first aid, surf awareness, rescue techniques, how to respond to emergency situations and plenty more.
Bronze Medallion Requirements
To commence the Bronze Medallion you must:
Be a financial member of a Surf Life Saving Club and have paid the Bronze Medallion course fee.
Be at least 15 years old by the date of the final assessment.
Complete a 400 metre swim in under 9 minutes prior to commencing ocean based training.
Why Get Your Bronze Medallion at Swanny?
By obtaining your Bronze Medallion at Swanny, you'll join a tight-knit community with members who share a love of the ocean and a dedication to keeping our beach safe. Some of the benefits of training at Swanny:
Team-based environment. Lifesaving is a collective effort and at Swanny we emphasise the importance of working together. You'll foster teamwork and communication skills with fellow candidates as you simulate rescue situations.
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Social. The social element is what makes Swanny and your Bronze Medallion! It’s a great chance to make new connections, and many people have developed lifelong friendships during a Swanny Bronze Medallion course. There’s always time to chat at post-training coffees or social events.
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Excellent trainers. Swanny prides ourselves on surf education and training to develop great lifesavers! Our team of volunteer trainers is dedicated to helping you to becoming a skilled and confident lifesaver.
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Get (or stay) active. The Bronze Medallion is a great chance to get active. We’ve got plenty of competition and training opportunities for all fitness levels. At Swanny we just love being active at the beach!
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Awesome facilities. Our recently expanded club and stunning coastal setting is the perfect location for Bronze Medallion Training. Sessions will be held in our Education room overlooking the ocean and on the amazing Swanbourne Beach!
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How long Does it Take, Where & When Is the Next Course?
Bronze Medallion courses run twice a year in October/November or February/March for 8 weeks. Two training sessions are run each week during the course, on Wednesday evenings (6:30pm – 9:00pm) at the Swanny clubrooms and Saturday mornings (8:00am – 11:00am) on Swanbourne Beach.
Wednesday sessions are classroom based training; please meet at the main function room at Swanny. Saturday mornings are beach based training; please meet in front of the boatshed (note that the first session is at Claremont Pool).
What Happens During the Course?
Over 8 weeks you’ll meet new people, work as a team and build new skills that could save lives!
There are two training sessions a week. The Wednesday evening sessions (in the clubrooms) focus on resuscitation, first aid and radio communications. Saturday morning sessions are on the beach and in the ocean, where you’ll develop surf awareness and learn board, tube and spinal injury rescue techniques. Although not compulsory, we encourage Bronzies to attend swimming training and board training through the course.
At the end of the course there is an assessment that gives you a chance to demonstrate all your new skills. With your enthusiasm to become a lifesaver and the Swanny training team’s experience and knowledge we’ll make sure you’re ready to go!
What Should I Bring and Wear?
For the Wednesday classroom based sessions you will not require a wetsuit, sneakers, bathers etc. It's recommended to wear comfortable clothes. Please also bring:
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Your Bronze Medallion manual (if you have already been given one)
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Water, drinks and/or snacks
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A pen
For the Saturday beach sessions, please come prepared to get wet i.e. wear your bathers/wetsuit! It's also good to bring along:
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Sunscreen, hat etc (‘slip, slop, slap’ stuff)
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Goggles
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Towel
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Water
testimonials
It was a personal life goal to join a surf lifesaving club and do a patrol. With a great tip from a friend I chose Swanny. Doing my Bronze not only built my fitness and confidence, but also gave me community pride. The people I've met and the opportunities I've since had as a lifesaver has been amazing and an opportunity not like any other.
Katy, Swanny Bronze 2022
I arrived in Perth and joined Swanny to do Bronze having heard great things. Doing Bronze was excellent for my personal development and confidence, as a lifesaver and beyond. After Bronze I was hooked on Swanny and being involved in lifesaving!
Bec, Swanny Bronze 2022
Doing Bronze changed my life. Bronze boosted my confidence, as well as my fitness and general wellbeing. And I met people who have become some of my closest friends.
Pablo, Swanny Bronze 2022
Best decision I ever made.