The Club

The South Brighton Surf Life Saving Club was formed on the 19th of March 1929 after the drowning of a young child, Vera Heyward in the local area. In response to this accident, the South Brighton Surf Life Saving and Bathing club was setup with the objective of patrolling the South Brighton beach and surrounding area to ensure the safety of swimmers. Ninety three years on and we have grown into one of Canterbury’s most successful sporting organisations. Boasting an exceptional patrolling and competition record, the club has won over 300 National titles since its inception and has won the award for the top club in NZ numerous times. Our active members still maintain voluntary patrols at the South Brighton beach during the summer season with the safety of swimmers our number one priority.

As one of the larger clubs in Canterbury, South Brighton SLSC has more than 350 active and social members ranging in age from five to the late 80s. This number includes 150 junior surf members aged under 14 who train at the beach on Sunday mornings through summer to become the future lifeguards at the beach.

The focal point of the clubs activities are the club rooms on the main beach at South Brighton. We have a spacious club with a large hall, gear storage facilities, kitchen, recreation area, meeting room, changing rooms and a first aid room. Membership entitlements include open access to these facilities, use of club equipment and some of the best coaching in the country. Everyone from the beginner lifeguard to the elite athlete is catered for in programs ranging from Sunday morning sessions for children right through to a year around program for elite athletes.