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Successful Surf Club Series
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Successful Surf Club Series

Recorded presentations from experts across surf life saving. Select a topic to explore episodes.

54
Episodes
6
Topics
Free
For members

About the Successful Surf Club Series

The Successful Surf Club Series is a free resource library for surf club leaders, volunteers, and members across Queensland. Each episode features a short, practical presentation from an expert or experienced practitioner within the surf life saving movement — covering the topics that matter most to running a strong, sustainable, and people-first club. From governance and finance through to Nippers, wellbeing, social media, and AI, the series is designed to help clubs learn from each other and take real action. New episodes are added regularly. Watch at your own pace, share with your committee, or use them as a starting point for club training and conversation.

Leadership & Governance
12 episodes
Membership & Pathways
8 episodes
Juniors & Youth
8 episodes
Inclusion & Wellbeing
9 episodes
Operations & Safety
7 episodes
Community & Comms
6 episodes
Leadership & Governance
Board strategy, financial management, and leading strong clubs
Building Club Excellence
Jo Stolp
How leadership, planning, and culture helped Carlton Park SLSC win the 2025 SLSA Club of the Year.
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Building Strong Surf Life Saving Clubs
Vita Nakrosa
How Moore Park SLSC overcomes challenges, sets goals, and grows club membership.
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Club Captain Insights: The Reality of Leading
Eliza Dreves
The realities of being a Club Captain at Metropolitan Caloundra SLSC — challenges, rewards, and what the role really involves.
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Effective Communication & Collaboration on a Board
Rachael Wynberg
Key skills and responsibilities for successful board and committee members.
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Financial Management from a Board Perspective
Manuel Barth
How surf club leaders can approach financial management and governance from a board perspective.
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From Breaking Barriers to Building the Future
Victoria Berry
Victoria Berry shares her journey as Maroochydore SLSC's first female president.
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Leadership in Surf Life Saving Clubs
Gerard O'Brien & Dave Whimpey
Essentials of effective leadership — responsibilities, challenges, and opportunities for surf club leaders.
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Preparing for a Successful AGM
Danielle Blake
Tips on AGM preparation, voting, documentation, and ensuring a smooth and compliant process.
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SLSA Club of the Year: North Haven's Transformation
Glenn Gallagher
How North Haven SLSC transformed to become the 2024 National Club of the Year.
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Strategic Planning for Boards & Committees
Mel Cowlishaw
Essentials of strategic planning to help surf club boards set direction and achieve their goals.
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Strengthen Your Leadership with Fiduciary Insights
Ian Fullager
Key governance and fiduciary tips for surf club board members — duties, accountability, and better decision-making.
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Understanding Personalities to Improve Leadership
Melissa Langton
How the DISC model helps surf club leaders communicate better, motivate members, and build a positive culture.
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Membership: Recruitment, Retention & Pathways
Growing your membership and keeping people engaged long-term
Exploring the SLS Journey: Pathways & Opportunities
Calan Lovitt
The many pathways and opportunities available to grow within the Surf Life Saving movement.
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Join the Club Campaign 2025
Aaron Beckhouse
An overview of SLSQ's annual volunteer recruitment campaign and how your club can get involved.
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Member Recruitment Drives
Zoe Bickerstaffe
How clubs can plan and run effective member recruitment drives to attract new volunteers.
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Member Retention & Positive Club Culture
Kirsten Phillips
How surf clubs can boost retention and build a positive culture through leadership and simple initiatives.
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The Path to Becoming a Surf Sports Official
Kylie Innis
Insights on training, mentorship, and what's involved in becoming a surf sports official.
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Transitioning from Volunteer to Lifeguard
Jesse Mantell
Key differences between volunteer lifesavers and lifeguards, plus tips on qualifications and fitness.
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Youth Engagement & Retention in Regional Clubs
Linda Murray
Practical insights from regional Queensland on engaging and retaining young members.
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Recognising Volunteers and Building a Culture of Appreciation
Robert Campbell
How volunteer recognition supports retention, strengthens culture, and helps surf clubs celebrate and keep their members.
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Building Connection Through Silver Salties
Jen Swan
How Bundaberg SLSC uses the Silver Salties program to keep mature members active, connected and involved through fitness, social activities, volunteering and lifesaving pathways.
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Juniors & Youth
Nippers, junior programs, and building tomorrow's lifesavers
Age Managing at Scale
Nino Dukic
How Alexandra Heads SLSC runs Queensland's largest nipper program with effective Age Managing strategies.
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Albatross Nipper Program
Nick Marshall
How the Albatross Nipper Program promotes inclusivity, family engagement, and strong water safety practices.
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Development Camps & Programs
Zoe Breitkreutz
How clubs can plan and run successful, effective, and safe camps and programs for junior members.
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Engaging Youth in Leadership
Will Dowd
How surf clubs can support and encourage young members to step into leadership roles.
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Junior Activities (Nippers) in Surf Life Saving
Chantel Fife
What it takes to run a successful Junior Activities program — from planning to parent engagement.
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Junior Coaching: Key Insights & Best Practices
Nick Marshall
Strategies to create a fun, safe, and engaging environment for junior athletes.
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Junior Lifesaver of the Year
Travis Lovell
Travis shares his surf lifesaving journey, the value of family support, and why embracing opportunities matters.
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Youth Leadership in Action
Hannah Bissett
How clubs can engage and retain young members by making them feel heard, valued, and inspired to lead.
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Diversity, Inclusion & Wellbeing
Building clubs where everyone feels welcome and supported
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) in SLS
Sunaina Jaswal
The role of DEI in surf life saving and how clubs can take practical steps forward.
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Engaging with the RAP
Rachel Wynberg
How clubs can take part in SLSQ's Reconciliation Action Plan and make a genuine difference.
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Fostering Inclusion Through Allyship & Culture
Ben Cork
How allyship and culture change can make surf clubs safe and truly inclusive for all members.
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Making Your Surf Club More Inclusive
Jake Little
Practical ways surf clubs can create safer, more welcoming spaces for LGBTQIA+ members and allies.
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Education Partnerships & Cultural Engagement
Dion Obst
How education partnerships drive recruitment and retention through community and cultural connections.
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First Nations Pathways, Partnerships & Representation
Evandah Bann & Jason Woods
How partnerships between clubs, schools, and communities are creating real pathways for First Nations youth — from competition success to leadership development.
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Clontarf Foundation & SLSQ Partnership
Matthew Hamdorf & Rachael Wynberg
How the SLSQ–Clontarf Foundation partnership creates meaningful opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young men through confidence, life skills, and surf lifesaving pathways.
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Reconciliation & Inclusion in Surf Life Saving
Fiona Grant
How surf clubs can engage with First Nations communities, create inclusive environments, and embed cultural knowledge into club activities to start their reconciliation journey.
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First Nations Engagement & Community Connection
Marc Harbrow
Practical approaches to language, cultural understanding, and sustainable engagement to help clubs build meaningful and respectful relationships with First Nations communities.
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Pride, Inclusion & Rainbow Beaches in Surf Clubs
Ingrid Magtengaard, Rachael Robinson & Michelle Saunders
How surf clubs are building inclusive environments through Rainbow Beaches initiatives, creating visibility, connection, and a strong sense of belonging for all members.
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Club Operations, Training & Safety
Running patrols, training your team, and keeping beaches safe
General Duties & Best Practices for Club Admins
Amy McLeod
How effective administration supports the overall success of surf clubs.
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Inside the State Operations & Comms Centre
Kate Wake
A behind-the-scenes look at the SOCC and how it supports statewide beach safety.
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Navigating Surfguard
Lynelle Gale
How surf clubs can navigate and interpret data on Surfguard to better manage members and operations.
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Patrol Operations & Planning
Natalie Edwards
How clubs can strengthen patrol operations through better planning, flexible rostering, and technology.
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Successful Surf Sports Carnivals
Ryan Bennett
Practical tips for running and navigating a successful surf sports carnival.
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The Role of a Club Chief Training Officer
Dana Craven
The responsibilities, qualifications, and how to support your club's training needs as a CTO.
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Post-Incident Debriefs & Member Support
Jaye Newton
How clubs can support members after critical incidents through structured debriefs and wellbeing practices.
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Building Emergency Response Capability
Jacob Thomson
How SLSQ is strengthening emergency response capability through specialist training, new technology, volunteer development, and strong partnerships to prepare clubs for the future.
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Emergency Management: Pathways, Partnerships & Response
Martin Cook
SLSQ's growing emergency management capability, including volunteer pathways, major incident response, interagency collaboration and opportunities to develop specialist skills.
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Building a Strong Training Program
Riley Palmer
Practical strategies for planning club training, engaging members, developing trainers and building capability for the season ahead.
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Community Engagement, Comms & Innovation
Social media, sponsorships, websites, and growing your club's reach
Coolangatta SLSC Leads the Way in Sustainability
Jemma Wagner
How Coolangatta SLSC's small sustainability actions are making a big impact.
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Innovative Initiatives Driving Community Engagement
Jill Penridge
How the Mapleton to Mudjimba program boosts community engagement and volunteer growth.
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Social Media Tips for Surf Clubs
Thomasina Carly
Simple strategies to help surf clubs communicate better and engage their communities online.
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Sponsorship & Partnership Strategies
Mandy Hentschel
Tips to build long-term partnerships through research, clear benefits, and strong communication.
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Surf Club Websites
Zoe Bickerstaffe
What makes a surf club website effective, what to include, and how to keep it up to date.
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Using AI in Surf Clubs
Zoe Bickerstaffe
How surf clubs can use AI tools to save time, improve communication, and support operations.
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Going Plastic-Free at Currumbin Beach Vikings
Katie and Michael
Currumbin Beach Vikings SLSC shares its journey towards reducing single-use plastics, engaging members in sustainability and creating practical, long-term environmental change.
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Want to suggest a topic?
We're always adding new episodes. Let us know what would help your club.
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