Queensland's mainland coastline stretches 6089 kilometers and there are some 714 accessible beaches along the coast. There are about 30 million visitations to our beaches each year.

Despite significant advancements in technology, techniques and knowledge, fatalities and injuries are still occuring on our beaches.

Surf Life Saving exists to save lives, develop practices in education, prevention, emergency care and rescue, and ultimately to meet our vision of 'zero preventable deaths and injuries on Queenslands beaches' as we set the benchmark for aquatic safety.

SLSQ is a vibrant, agile and competent organisation. Our people, safety services and management systems are very highly regarded both in Australia and around the world. SLSQ retains a strong commitment to pursuing continuous improvement across all areas to work towards achieving our vision.

In 1939 Surf Life Saving decided that all patrolling members shoud wear red and yellow quartered caps. The red and yellow cap, an internationally recognised safety symbol, is worn by surf lifesavers so they are easily identified to the public, particularly when they are performing patrol duties in the water. The cap is also worn by lifesavers for their own safety so they are easily identified by fellow lifesavers. The red and yellow caps are still proudly worn by more than 34 000 active surf lifesavers today.

Red and Yellow Flags

The red and yellow colours found their way into surf life saving clubs from the international code of naval signals, in which the sign for 'man overboard' is a square divided diagonally between red and yellow. Flags and signs have always been used to signify either safe or dangerous areas to swim, but it wasn't until the 1930's that the red and yellow colours came to represent Surf Life Saving in Australia. In 1935, red and yellow replaced the blue and white flags which had been used in the 1920's to mark safe bathing areas, although the colours were divided diagonally, unlike the horizontal red and yellow used today.

Vigilance and Service

Outstanding for its feats of courage and reliable service to the surfing public, Surf Life Saving continues to be maintained by members who are justly proud of their motto, 'Vigilance and Service'.

Out motto is derived from 'Vigilance' meaning watchful in case of danger, and 'Service' meaning serving or providing assistance to benefit the beach using public.

International Expertise

Surf Life Saving is internationally renowned as a leading authority on aquatic safety. The standards in place for our lifesavers remain at the top end of the international scale. Surf Life Saving is also affiliated with the International Lifesaving Federation (ILF) and is actively involved in designing and implementing internaional safety standards, including aquatic safety signage, uniforms, rescue equipment, craft, and techniques. The Internaional Lifesaving Federation has recently recognised the red and yellow uniform as the standard for all aquatic safety services throughout the world, as used by Surf Life Saving Queensland.

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