As a proud sponsor of Coogee Life Saving Club, we’d like to share a little about the iconic landmark’s story and its award-winning makeover…
Coogee has always been at the forefront of Surf Life Saving. The first mass rescue, night surf carnival, major surf carnivals, and the development of the resuscitation technique all happened at Coogee. This has created a great sense of camaraderie and loyalty to the Club.
The Coogee Surf Life Saving Club was founded in 1907 by a group of concerned locals who thought that the surf bathers needed protection from the dangers and vagaries of the surf. From humble beginnings where we operated out of a wooden shack, the first Clubhouse was built in 1910. All the members performed patrols on weekends until a roster system was eventually devised.
Today, Coogee SLSC is one Australia’s largest Surf Clubs with over 2300 members, a strong Nipper team of around 1,000, and over 600 Surf Lifesavers all volunteering to Patrol Coogee Beach.
Coogee Surf Lifesavers are highly skilled in many areas and are there to ensure your safety at the beach, and if needed they can apply their lifesaving skills in rescue and assistance.
The iconic Coogee building was devastated by huge seas in 2016 that tore out lower sections of the building and was required to be partially rebuilt. In response, the Coogee Surf Life Saving Club and Randwick City Council oversaw a significant upgrade in 2020 designed by Allen Jack + Cottier Architects. The works protect the building from future storm damage, modernise and maximise the interior club layout and provide access to the building for the first time for people in wheelchairs and with disabilities.
International Award For Accessibility
The International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities (IAKS) presented the Coogee Surf Life Saving Club with a much-coveted PC IAKS Distinction award, which is aimed at increasing the accessibility of all sports and leisure facilities and architectural structures to offer all people opportunities to practise and view sport freely and without barriers.
The works also provide the ability for remote surf patrols to be conducted from the building overlooking the beach providing a truly accessible building and surf lifesaving service for people of all abilities.
It has brought accessibility to a whole new level in Coogee, making surf lifesaving a possibility for those who otherwise might have not been able to partake.
Get involved
Volunteer Surf Lifesavers patrol Coogee Beach from September to April each year, ensuring that beachgoers have a safe and enjoyable time at the beach. As an organisation serving the local and wider community they have lots to offer everybody across many areas, from becoming a Surf Lifesaver or a Nipper, to sport, education and functions. Contact the club here for more information.
Live from Coogee Beach
See what’s happening at Coogee Beach today by visiting their Surf Cam here
CRE and Coogee Life Saving Club
With a strong presence in the area and as a respected member of the community, James Giltinan, Principal of Coogee Real Estate, is committed to supporting local business and sporting clubs and the office is a proud sponsor of the Coogee Surf Club.
If you’re thinking of buying or leasing in Coogee and become part of this amazing community, contact our team