The cool Dry Season weather heralds the start of a new patrol season for Territory surf lifesavers as they return to watch over beaches in Darwin and Gove.

Volunteer lifesavers will patrol five (5) beaches including Casuarina, East Point and Nightcliff Beaches in Darwin and Town Beach and Little Bondi in Gove on the weekends from the 1 June to 30 September 2025.

Thanks to the support of the City of Darwin, Surf Life Saving NT will provide a lifeguard service at Nightcliff and Mindil Beach from Thursday to Sunday each week.

Our Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Boat, Lifesaver 1, a 9.5m offshore rescue boat will be on the water to provide emergency support for recreational boat users in Darwin. In 2024, the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Boat was involved in 2 major rescues with the Search & Rescue team contributing over 922 volunteer hours throughout the year, the most ever since its inception in 2007.

Last season local lifesavers contributed over 2800 volunteer patrol hours protecting the community and performed 9 successful rescues.

 “Our volunteer lifesavers are looking forward to getting back on the beach and providing safe places for the community to make the most of our beautiful weather and coastal environment” said SLSNT President Adam Traugott.

As part of preparations for the new beach season, local surf clubs are calling for new members including registrations for the popular nippers program.

 “Lifesaving is something for the whole family to get involved in and there are many supporting roles that people can play to help the local community.” said Traugott.  

 “I encourage all parents to enrol their kids in nippers today. It’s an ideal way for children to learn surf safety skills while meeting new friends and having fun at the beach. You will be thankful for the experience.”

For more information on surf lifesaving in the NT please visit www.lifesavingnt.com.au or your local surf club’s website direct. Alternatively, you can register as a member of your chosen surf club online at https://sls.com.au/join/

Important safety tips to remember this swimming season are:

• Always swim between the red and yellow patrol flags, for your nearest patrolled beach check the BeachSafe app or website,
• Ask a lifesaver or lifeguard for safety information,
• Always swim with someone else so you can look out for each other, and always supervise children around the water,
• Never swim under the influence of alcohol or drugs,
• If you need help in the water, stay calm and attract attention by raising one arm,
• Don’t forget to be sun safe by remembering to: Slip on some protective clothing, Slop on some sunscreen, Slap on a hat, Slide on a pair of sunglasses, Seek some shade and Sip on lots of water to stay hydrated
• For information about patrol times, weather, and beach locations visit the Beachsafe Website or Download the App
• In an emergency, dial Triple Zero Police.

Surf Life Saving NT

Surf Life Saving NT is a volunteer-based community service organisation regarded as the peak coastal safety body in the NT, which formed in 1983 and incorporated in 1991.

Whilst surf lifesaving activities have been embedded in the Australian way of life for more than 100 years, they have only been present in the NT since 1971 when our first club, Gove Peninsula Surf Life Saving Club opened its doors in Nhulunbuy.

Today, SLSNT has three affiliated Surf Life Saving Clubs including Darwin, Gove Peninsula and Mindil Beach, and over 600 volunteer surf lifesavers that contributed 2 800 volunteer patrol hours across 5 beach locations.