Lifesavers with Pride (LWP) is excited to kick off its Proud Beaches Scholarship for summer 23/24, promoting Surf Life Saving as a place where LGBTQIA+ people can feel welcome, safe and valued.

The scholarship helps members of the LGBTQIA+ community and our straight allies join their local Surf Life Saving Club anywhere in Australia by paying for their course to become a surf lifesaver.

“The Surf Life Saving community has made great progress in terms of LGBTQIA+ inclusion. We are active members of Pride in Sport, all States support our participation at LGBTQIA+ Fair Days and our Rainbow Beaches event continues to build momentum around the country. Surf Life Saving Clubs are welcoming, safe, and inclusive, and we welcome all people to visit their local surf club and try out surf lifesaving,” said LWP Chair, Dr Jake Little.

“Completing the Surf Rescue Certificate or Bronze Medallion course is the first step towards patrolling the beach and competing in surf sports, and we are keen to ensure cost isn’t a barrier to becoming qualified surf lifesavers, and active surf competitors,” said Dr Little.

Scholarship applications are welcome from anyone over 13 for the Surf Rescue Certificate (13-15yo), or the Bronze Medallion (over 15+yo), regardless of gender or sexual orientation, who meets the course prerequisites from anywhere in Australia. Applicants will need to share their connection to the LGBTQIA+ community and how they anticipate supporting diversity and inclusion in their new Surf Life Saving Club.

“The Bronze Medallion pushed me outside my comfort zone in the best ways. Surf Life Saving feels so much more diverse than what I remember as a kid in the 1990s in Queensland. There’s always more work to do when it comes to making our beaches safe and inclusive for everyone and I look forward to helping make that happen on patrol,” said Mark Loong, former Proud Beaches scholarship recipient.

The Australian patrolling season operates from late September to April in the south and May to September in the northern tropics. Applicants should contact their local Surf Life Saving Club to find out their course details. The final date for application is 15th October 2023.

Links to the application are here: https://www.lifesaverswithpride.com.au/scholarships