Surf LIFE
Major Boost To Shark Drone Program
TO IMPROVE BEACH SAFETY
The NSW Government is significantly expanding its investment in shark-spotting drone technology to help keep people safer in the water with year-round coverage that will deliver the largest expansion of aerial shark surveillance in the world.
The Government will invest an additional $34 million in drones including harnessing artificial intelligence and emerging technology in a major scale-up of drone coverage across beaches in Sydney and along the NSW coast.
Under the expanded program, Sydney beaches will benefit from drone monitoring 365 days of the year, along with some locations in other coastal local government areas.
The delivery of the project uplift by Surf Life Saving NSW will prioritise beaches with high numbers of swimmers and surfers including in Sydney and the North Coast, where shark incidents have been experienced.
This expanded monitoring began on 1 July 2026 and includes year-round coverage across all Sydney beaches from Palm Beach to Cronulla. It will see more beaches covered, longer daily patrols from dawn till dusk and year-round monitoring at key locations across the state.
This is in addition to the existing school holiday drone program along the coast.
Importantly, coverage will not be
limited to patrolled beaches, ensuring protection extends to popular, unpatrolled surf locations.
Harnessing Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology
The program funding uplift will also enable the continued exploration and expansion of emerging technologies to enhance drone monitoring across the state, including AI.
Surf Life Saving NSW will be able to upgrade remote pilot and operating facilities, in addition to expanding the Drone-in-a-Box and Beyond Line of Sight (BVLOS) technology.
“While no one can ever promise no shark interactions, this investment is about putting more eyes in the sky so we can spot sharks earlier and give people a clear heads-up when they’re in the water,” said the NSW Premier Chris Minns.
“We’re backing practical technology that helps keep families, surfers and swimmers safer right across the coast.”
Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steve
Pearce described the announcement as the largest ever funding commitment to shark management in Australia, and the largest uplift of funding to SLSNSW for the enhancement of coastal safety in NSW.
“The SLSNSW Shark UAV surveillance program has proven to be an extremely effective component of the NSW Shark Management Program. Just this year we conducted more than 100,000 flights and identified and prevented over 2000 sharks interacting with swimmers and surfers.”
Emily Francis, Josh Orr, AUAVS Manager James Bassam, and Isaac Hails at the program announcement in Cronulla.
CAVES CLAIMS FOURTH STRAIGHT
IRB State Championships Title
Despite a spirited challenge from North Cronulla SLSC, a fourth straight title is heading back to Lake Macquarie after Caves Beach SLSC triumphed, once again, at the 2026 Sharkskin NSW IRB Championships in Fingal Bay.
Just weeks after finishing the fourround Premiership Series on top of the mountain at Swansea Belmont, racing moved north to Port Stephens on the weekend of 3-5 July where the result would, eventually, turn out to be the same.
The Hunter club finished the weekend on 148 points, just 15 ahead of North Cronulla, and there was a big gap back to third where Newport SLSC beat out Queenscliff SLSC, Kiama Downs SLSC and Thirroul SLSC for the final podium place.
Flat conditions met competitors to open up the carnival, with pure racing
the order of the day. Speed and precision were rewarded handsomely before Fingal put on a bit of a wave for finals which separated the competition and made medals that bit harder to achieve.
Part of North Cronulla’s impressive push for a title boilover came from their dominance of the Open Female category, winning each available final, while the U23 female competitors won three of four finals – slipping up only in the Rescue event which was won by Queenscliff SLSC.
Newport showed its strength in the Open Male category, winning two
finals, while Kiama Downs’ traditionally strong Masters contingent picked up a number of medals in the Over 35 and O45 categories.
Further down the point score tally, Forster SLSC earned four silver medals on its way to the club’s best ever State Championships result, Ocean Beach SLSC were very impressive in crossing the line first in the Rookie Rescue, and Nobbys SLSC jagged a U23 Male Tube gold medal.
SLSNSW Chair of Surf Sports, Don van Keimpema said the carnival was a fantastic showcase of lifesaving skills.
“This weekend showed the skills and determination across the sport, and it shows that IRB racing is so healthy. I’m really pleased to see where we’re at right now,” he said.
Naming Rights Partner, Sharkskin’s Managing Director, Shane Holliday echoed this feeling.
“We support the IRB community because the IRB community supports us, and we’re so grateful for everyone here and the great spirit of competition,” he said.
To complement its Overall Point Score title, Caves also won the Rodney ‘Rocket’ Williams Memorial Trophy for the Masters Point Score Champions.
Meanwhile, North Cronulla took out the Alistair ‘Slim’ Peebles Memorial Trophy for the U23 Champions and the John Wake Memorial Trophy for the Opens Champions.
Thanks goes to Port Stephens Council for its support of the event this year.
Overall Point Score Tally
COOGEE SHARK BITE HERO
Reflects On Rescue Efforts
North Bondi and Newport member, Charlie Verco pictured at Newport Beach.
North Bondi and Newport SLSC lifesaver, Charlie Verco, says he’s “never been more grateful to be a part of Surf Life Saving” after his actions during a shark incident at Coogee where he was able to bring a woman who had been bitten back to shore.
Charlie – an elite iron man who finished second on the professional Series this past season – was paddling his long board through Coogee while training for the Molokai 2 Oahu Paddleboard World Championships – which he has since won – when he witnessed a young woman encounter a shark just after 11am on Saturday 13 June.
The 25-year-old sprung to action, immediately signalling to alert the Council lifeguards back on the beach and paddling towards danger to render assistance.
“The only thing I was frightened of in that moment was the shark,” Charlie recalled.
“I wasn’t concerned about my ability to manage her injuries, I wasn’t concerned about my skills and competence to bring her back to shore on the board – which is almost double the size of a rescue board, with a rudder.
“There were pros and cons of being on that board, sure it’s not a rescue board, maybe not as agile, but at that time I definitely preferred being on as big a board as possible.”
What shouldn’t be taken lightly is the challenge Charlie was faced with in bringing his board back to shore under the circumstances – once he helped the victim grab hold of his drink cage on the craft, Charlie managed to paddle in backwards in a feat of athleticism and poise that belied the gravity of the situation.
He received assistance from the Coogee SLSC president Ben Heenan who had paddled out on a rescue board to help.
Now, having had time to comprehend the rescue and the situation that brought it about, he can acknowledge and work through the competing emotions he managed in real time.
“I feel like a lot of blokes look at this scenario on the news and think they’d have jumped into the water, swam out, punched the shark and saved everyone, but when it happened in real life you don’t quite think that way,” Charlie said.
“I had to negotiate my own fears as well as different risk factors, and once I felt it was a safe enough situation for me, I did everything I could to help.
“I’m so grateful for the training of Surf Life Saving, it’s gotten me to think about emergency situations, it’s trained me in first aid, it’s made me competent in the water, and it fostered my love for the ocean that meant I was even out there in the first place.
“That was what allowed me to at least be in a situation that meant I could bring her back to shore.”
Charlie has been involved in Surf Life Saving since he was six and now splits his time between North Bondi SLSC –where he patrols – and his competitive commitments for the powerhouse Sydney Northern Beaches club, Newport SLSC.
He credits his surf sports career as a factor in his continued and deep-rooted love for the movement, noting it has “motivated him to stay proficient” and has taught him valuable skills complementary to his lifesaving training.
“I’ve been fortunate to get to a high level in surf sports, and I’ve worked through major challenges in sport because things can upset you. Being
at that level, I’ve been able to learn to regulate my emotions and see the difference between being very excited and very scared,” he said.
“What that does is takes that fight or flight situation, and in the shark incident all I wanted to do was flight, but you take a second and think about what the rational way to react in this moment is.
“People have been reaching out and checking how I am, which I’m really grateful for, and the hardest part has been telling them that I’m fine. It’s a significant scenario, but the reactions I’m having, I’m confident they’re the ones I’m supposed to be having, and I know it all will pass.”
Charlie wasn’t the only volunteer surf lifesaver who became a first responder that morning and he is grateful that Ben Heenan from Coogee was also on site and rendered critical assistance alongside other off-duty emergency service professionals back on shore.
It’s a story that repeats itself over and over again – volunteers acting outside of hours, out-of-season, for the benefit of their communities.
It’s one of the movement’s greatest assets – the dedication and passion of its people.
“Surf Life Saving fosters a love for the ocean in so many people, and that meant on this particular day, in the middle of June when there’s no volunteer patrols, there were so many lifesavers down at the beach anyway, because they wanted to be, and they have that crucial training and they’re ready to act when required,” he said.
“I’ve never been more grateful to be a part of Surf Life Saving. This was a devastating incident but I consider myself fortunate to have the skills in the surf and the background in lifesaving that gave me the state of mind that I was capable of staying there and helping.”
ICONIC SWIMMING RECORD BROKEN
Liam Blair: It’s a name you might have heard over the PA or the livestream at a Surf Life Saving event, and now it’s a name that sits alongside the once 13–year–old Olympic legend of swimming, Ian ‘Thorpedo’ Thorpe AM.
Why? Because young Liam Blair from Swansea Belmont SLSC, who took home a tremendous haul of gold medals from the recent State and Australian Championships, has just broken a record held for 30 years by Thorpedo, with a time of 1:59.74 in the Under 14 Boys 200m freestyle at the NSW CHS Swimming Championships in Sydney.
So, for a little inspiration to keep up your training as the ocean temperatures and mornings get a little cooler, we thought we’d share some of Liam’s well-beyond-his-years insights as a 13-year-old who has set himself on a very special path.
Here’s our 2026 capsule Q&A with Liam Blair:
Liam, a huge congratulations from your Surf Life Saving family. You’ve had a massive year of achievements so far, what have been the biggest moments for you.
I’ve had a huge six weeks. Starting with State Champs at my home beach, Swansea Belmont, in March, which was a standout for me. I won the swim, board and iron events for the second year in a row, which was really exciting. It was also my first year being old enough to compete at Aussies. I’d been waiting so long to race at that
level so to come away with two individual gold medals, two team wins with my club mates and a silver team medal. It was honestly way more than I expected.
I knew I’d trained hard all season, and I felt confident in my skills and fitness, however the surf can be relentless, so
Liam Blair competing for Hunter Branch at the 2025 Interbranch Championships, (below) Liam with his medal and record certificate, and (over page) Liam as a Nipper.
you just never really know till the race itself.
After Aussies, I came home for a week of school before heading back away for the National Age Swimming Championships. It was another first for me, being old enough to compete on the national stage over eight days of racing.
I finished top three in all my events, including winning three individual National Titles. And it doesn’t stop because now school swimming is starting to ramp up again.
Breaking Ian Thorpe’s record is definitely up there as one of my biggest moments so far.
How many State and Aussie titles in Surf Life Saving and swimming have you won altogether this year?
NSW Surf Life Saving Titles –Individual titles are 5 swim, 3 Iron person, 2 board and in teams we have board relay, all age board relay, board rescue and a swim title.
Aussies – Individually I have a swim and iron person titles and in the teams we have board rescue and Cameron.
Swimming NSW – I still hold multiple NSW State and NSW Allcomers records from u/10boys to now and I also have a QLD Allcomers record for the u/11 boys 200m freestyle.
What was and where was the swimming event that you broke the record?
This was a school event. The NSW Combined High School Sports Association (NSWCHSSA) swimming championships at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.
How much training did you put in for it? How does it change once the surf season is over?
Training through summer is very different to my training in winter. Summer I can only fit in 3-4 swim sessions along with two board training, iron training and normal Nipper days. Once the season has finished, I try to get a run session in a week with one of the coaches from Swansea Belmont and increase my swim sessions to 4-5 a week. The hard work is done through winter for my surf season.
You broke a pretty impressive record, did you know who Ian Thorpe was [laughs]? It’s a very special and inspirational achievement.
Of course, I know who Ian is. Doesn’t everyone? He’s such an inspiration to me, achieving what he did at such a young age and throughout his entire career. I think all young athletes from all sports would know who he is.
Was it something you were trying to achieve at the meet? If not, what were your goals for that meet?
Yes, this record was my goal for the meet. I’d been thinking about it for almost 12 months. The year before I broke the age record for the same event, so straight away I wanted to know what the next record was and what time I had to beat. When I found out it was Ian Thorpe’s record, I really wanted to go after it.
I’ve been training with my swim coach, Paul Sharman, from Coughlan’s Swim Centre, and we’ve been focusing a lot on my pacing and skills. Every time I raced the 200m freestyle that year, I could feel myself getting closer and closer to Ian’s record. On the day I executed my race plan how I wanted.
What are your goals in sport, where do you want to be in five years?
Most importantly still enjoying my sport. Selection into Pathways squads and teams representing Australia would be the goal for the next five years.
What part has Swansea Belmont played in your success?
The training and coaching Swansea Belmont surf club provides is amazing. My dad [Josh Blair] is coach of the Nippers board squad and also runs the iron sessions. He can be pretty tough on me sometimes and gives me some brutal feedback, but I know it’s only to help me become a better athlete. He kind of knows what he’s talking about!
I believe as long as your coach is giving you feedback, whether it’s positive or telling you where you need to improve, it means they care and want you to be the best you can be. Having that support and feedback around you really helps to push yourself to improve.
You’re already such an inspiration to kids coming after you. What’s something helpful or a tip or message to 10-year-old Liam or young kids dreaming of what you’re currently achieving?
Consistency is the key. Everyone has days where they don’t feel like getting up early or going to training, and that’s totally normal. Pushing through on those hard days is what makes a difference. If you skip the tough days, it only makes the next ones even harder.
Setting goals is really important too. They can be training goals, carnival goals or even season goals. Having something to work towards makes swimming more enjoyable and gives you a reason to keep improving.
For me, I set goals for every training session so I stay focused on the important things like my technique and skills. That’s where races are really won. Not just by swimming fast down the straight, but by executing your skills and technique perfectly.
What’s a message to your future self about your dreams and goals and how hard you’re working?
I hope you are proud of how far you have come not only as an athlete but as a person. Remember your consistent effort and dedication throughout your younger years have got you to where you are today. I hope it was all worth it and your goals were achieved.
PASSIONATE NSW JUNIOR LIFESAVERS
Of The Year Named
Emma Dawson from Broulee Surfers SLSC and Jonathan Kodomichalos from Coogee SLSC have been named the 2026 NSW Junior Lifesavers of the Year after three days of team building and leadership development on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
Formally recognised during a presentation ceremony on Friday 10 April, Emma and Jonathan were two in a group of 22 eager teenagers who came from all of the 11 branches across NSW, having been acknowledged themselves as Junior Lifesavers of the Year for their region.
The pair represented their regions with distinction – Emma the regional Far South Coast and Jonathan Sydney’s eastern suburbs – while commendations for all participants proved once again that NSW is blessed with talented young lifesavers along the entire coastline.
Knowing well that they were privileged to be among a very worthy group, all of whom could have been named winners, the pair were thrilled.
“The first emotion was absolute shock, everybody in there was worthy of this,” Emma said.
“But I’m very excited and very proud, we all had the same sort of vision, and it has just been great to work with people like that.”
“It’s quite exciting but it’s just a title,” added Jonathan.
“Everybody here, we all had the same goal regardless of if we earned this accolade, being to progress Surf Life Saving and make the beach accessible and safe for everyone.”
A passionate and effervescent teenager, Emma is the first ever NSW
2026 NSW Junior Lifesaver of the Year Participants
FAR NORTH COAST
Yamba SLSC – Abe Patricks
Lennox Head Alstonville SLSC – Miliani Tighe
Junior Lifesaver of the Year to come from Broulee Surfers and the third Far South Coast Branch winner, after Zara Hall (Moruya SLSC) in 2024 and Michelle Bouvett (Tathra SLSC) more than three decades earlier in 1993.
The panel of judges was impressed with her clear vision for involving her local community more heavily in Surf Life Saving, either as a volunteer or simply to be more beach safe.
“Patrolling on the beaches, it’s so great to see the community spirit.
“The people is what brings me back, it’s what makes us want to do what we do.”
Jonathan, meanwhile, has Surf Life Saving blood cells – his deep connection with the movement empowering him to initiate programs at Coogee that have helped Nippers to grow in confidence in the water.
“Coogee surf club has made such a big impact on my life, it’s given me so much,” he said.
“I love to help people out and giving back.”
Junior lifesaver finalists engaged in a three-day team building and leadership development program at Collaroy, including eating plenty of ABE’S BAGELS – the Supporting Partner of the event – before it all culminated in Emma and Jonathan being selected as the NSW Junior Lifesavers of the Year.
NORTH COAST
Woolgoolga SLSC – Reuben Wong
Nambucca Heads SLSC – Issy Alder
MID NORTH COAST
Tacking Point SLSC – Declan Jones
Port Macquarie SLSC – Scarlett Brook
LOWER NORTH COAST
Forster SLSC – Daniel Reid
Crowdy Head SLSC – Tallow Eady
HUNTER
Cooks Hill SLSC – Hamish Lawrence
Nobbys SLSC – Edith McNamara
CENTRAL COAST
Ocean Beach SLSC – Will Nash
Ocean Beach SLSC – Piper Lawrence
SYDNEY NORTHERN BEACHES
Dee Why SLSC – Nixon West
Bilgola SLSC – Tilly Hobbis
SYDNEY
Coogee SLSC – Jonathan Kodomichalos
Coogee SLSC – Evangelina Anderson
ILLAWARRA
Bulli SLSC – Taj Caldwell
Bulli SLSC – Bianca Staniforth
SOUTH COAST
Kiama SLSC – Henry Whittaker
Mollymook SLSC – Alexandra Woods
FAR SOUTH COAST
Broulee Surfers SLSC – Harry Leach
Broulee Surfers SLSC – Emma Dawson
2026 NSW Junior Lifesaver of the Year Facilitators
COORDINATORS
Narooma SLSC – Kane Doull
Kempsey Crescent Head SLSC – Taylah Moffitt
FACILITATORS
Wollongong City SLSC – Kayla McKenzie
Byron Bay SLSC – Daniella Berti Carrabs
Copacabana SLSC – Beau Henry
Queenscliff SLSC – Harper Hinterleitner
Publicly Accessible Shark Bite Kits
FOR ALL NSW SURF CLUBS
129 new publicly accessible Shark Bite Trauma Kits have been installed at each of the state’s surf clubs as part of Surf Life Saving NSW’s continued focus on increased community safety.
The trauma kits are affixed to the external wall of each NSW surf club where, in the event of a reported shark incident, and in the absence of a lifesaver or lifeguard on duty, members of the public will be able to apply emergency first aid until first responders arrive on scene.
It comes after a spate of fatal shark attacks in the past seven months, including one at Coogee in June and several at the end of January, and the continued need for preventative actions along our coastline with many beaches being closed each day due to shark sightings.
“Volunteer surf lifesavers are in most
instances the first emergency service responding to shark bite incidents and so we are always looking to introduce improvements in equipment and responses to support our protection of those communty members visiting the coastline,” SLSNSW CEO, Steve Pearce said.
“We believe that by ensuring our surf clubs are equipped with these publicly accessible Shark Bite Trauma Kits, we are addressing a major need and providing a safeguard against the possibility of a serious incident unfolding.”
The Shark Bite Trauma Kits complement the expansive UAV shark
surveillance program delivered by Surf Life Saving NSW across the breadth of the NSW coastline.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s NSW Shark Management Program currently sees every beach across Sydney patrolled by UAV every day.
This summer season, SLSNSW drones undertook more than 65,000 flights and observed over 1,500 sharks.
“SLSNSW is at the forefront of shark management strategies nationally,” Steve continued.
“Surf clubs are both highly visible community hubs and places of protection and community support and having easily accessible Shark Bite Trauma Kits at these locations is an effective way to instil a stronger level of confidence and resilience in our coastal communities.”
SURF CLUBS BENEFIT
From $5 Million In Facilities Funding
61 individual projects across more than a third of the surf clubs in NSW underscore the $5.4 million commitment from the NSW Government’s Surf Club Facilities Program in 2026 – with all recipients formally announced at Wanda SLSC.
Wanda SLSC President, Fiona Sutton pictured with members of the Bate Bay club at the funding announcement.
In total, 46 clubs – up from 38 this time last year – saw their applications approved, with Wanda, Bronte SLSC, North Narrabeen SLSC and Salt SLSC among the biggest beneficiaries.
As has been the determining criteria in previous years, grants of up to $1 million were rewarded to projects, in particular, that encouraged participation by women and girls, people with disability, First Nations peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and LGBTQIA+ members.
Wanda is down for nearly $800,000, to put towards interior alterations that will reappropriate the downstairs training space into a storage room for gear and equipment, and turn a space upstairs formerly occupied by a gym franchise into a multi-purpose space.
It will include member gym facilities, office and meeting room spaces, and a key vantage point of the beach for patrolling members on days of poor weather.
Program Funding Recipients
Bilgola SLSC | $79,422 (2 projects)
Port Kembla SLSC | $43,392
Bronte, North Narrabeen and Salt, meanwhile, will use contributions totalling approximately $1.7 million collectively to continue the works on the respective surf clubs that have already begun, ensuring long-term viability and ease of operation for the lifesaving services provided to the community.
Speaking at the announcement in Wanda, Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper said that the NSW Government placed significant value on the contribution of surf clubs along our coastline.
“The Surf Club Facility Program provides critical funding to our surf life saving clubs to enable them to better protect beachgoers,” he said.
“The awarding of $5.458 million for 61 projects is part of our four-year $21.6 million commitment to ensure our Surf Life Saving Clubs are modern, safe and inclusive.”
Surf Life Saving NSW COO, Phil Ayres agreed, noting that the lifesaving movement in NSW is the fastest growing volunteer movement in the country.
“Our membership continues to grow and with more than 86,000 lifesavers and Nippers, providing safe, secure, and accessible facilities for members and the communities they protect is more important than ever,” he said.
Bronte SLSC | $777,066 (2 projects)
Broulee Surfers SLSC | $100,000
Byron Bay SLSC | $67,164 (2 projects)
Cabarita Beach SLSC | $25,877
Collaroy SLSC | $69,078
Crowdy Head SLSC | $136,650
Cudgen Headland SLSC | $100,000
Dee Why SLSC | $142,291 (2 projects)
Dixon Park SLSC | $84,225
Elouera SLSC | $75,820 (2 projects)
Forster SLSC | $87,938
Killcare SLSC | $25,700
Minnie Water Wooli SLSC | $54,530
Mona Vale SLSC | $91,915 (2 projects)
Narrabeen Beach SLSC | $25,287
Newport SLSC | $100,000
North Avoca SLSC | $70,000
North Cronulla SLSC | $100,000
North Curl Curl SLSC | $89,700
North Entrance SLSC | $90,0000
North Narrabeen SLSC | $600,000
Ocean Beach SLSC | $87,030 (3 projects)
Pambula SLSC | $37,193 (2 projects)
Our Mission
To save lives, create great Australians and build better communities.
Summary
Surf Life Saving NSW is the state’s major water safety and rescue organisation, and with over 86,000 members, is one of the largest volunteer movements in Australia.
The primary role of Surf Life Saving NSW is to save lives on our beaches, while other activities include developing our members through education, leadership and surf sports programs.
There are 129 surf clubs and 11 branches in the state which are affiliated with Surf Life Saving NSW, stretching from Fingal Rovers SLSC near Tweed Heads, to Pambula SLSC on the Far South Coast.
Contact Us
For contributions or suggestions for SurfLIFE please contact SLSNSW Media on 02 9471 8000 or media@surflifesaving.com.au
Surf Life Saving NSW wishes to thank the following sponsors and supporters for helping our volunteers save lives on the beaches each year.
National Partners