2007 is year of Australia's Surf Lifesaver

It’s time to hit the surf Down Under with the launch of Australia’s official Year of the Surf Lifesaver (YSL), celebrating 100 years since it all began. Australians are best known for their love of the sun, sand and surf and beach culture has become a way of life.

The Australian coastline has its own character and appeal – from sophisticated city beaches, such as Bondi and Bronte in Sydney, to the iconic and infamous Bells Beach in Victoria –the country is well known for its surf beaches and lifestyle.

The centenary of Surf Lifesaving in Australia is to recognise the critical action Surf Lifesavers have played in protecting swimmers and their communities, and will be celebrated throughout 2007 in a series of events.

In the nineteenth century, bathing in daylight hours was banned on most of Sydney’s surf beaches. In the opening years of the twentieth century these by-laws were repealed and bathers entered the surf in rapidly increasing numbers. However, many new surf-bathers could not swim or were unfamiliar with the rips and as a result there were many drownings along the coast.

In February 1907, Bondi Surf Bathers Lifesaving Club was formed to try and make the beach safer for bathers. This was the first such club in Australia and since then numbers have risen to 304. The Surf Lifesavers, with their iconic red and yellow suits, have become an emblem of Australia that has spread worldwide.

Competitions and events are held annually to identify the best in the business and this year’s Surf Lifesaving Championships will be held from 22nd – 25th March at Scarborough beach near Perth, Western Australia. Other YSL events taking place include the Between the Flags travelling exhibition and book, as well as featuring prominently at Australia Day celebrations in all capital cities.

To find out more visit Tourism.australia.com.