RLSS UK has today (12 July 2022) launched a brand-new lifesaving award - the National Surf Coach Lifesaving Award (NSCLA) - created in partnership with Surf Life Saving Association Wales (SLSA Wales).

The NSCLA has been developed with support from Surfing England and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) to ensure surf coaches adopt the highest standards of beach safety.

The award is aimed at surf coaches before enrolment on an instructor/coach course and covers: the lifesaving skills and knowledge they require when coaching, including the beach environment, hazards, and supervision, rescue skills in the surf environment, and First Aid and Life Support.

Robert Gofton, CEO of RLSS UK, said: “We are delighted to have worked with SLSA Wales on this much-needed and anticipated lifesaving award for the surfing sector. We look forward to seeing it delivered across the UK and Ireland and for more surf coaches and instructors to have the lifesaving skills required to ensure everyone can enjoy water safely. Over the next few months, we are looking to develop more awards like this with partners.”

With endorsement from Surfing England (the National Governing Body for the Sport of Surfing in England) secured, the RLSS UK is currently looking at the process of going through other UK national governing bodies for surfing to gain further endorsement. 

Click here to find out more about the course.  

Click here to find out about other RLSS UK qualifications and awards