history

Woolacombe Surf Life Saving Club was formed in 1962 in response to accidents, which had taken place in the sea over previous years.

Over the following 45 years many children from Woolacombe, Mortehoe and other parts of North Devon developed respect for the impressive surf breaking on the golden sands and learned the skills to keep them and other beach users safe.

For many of those years Woolacombe SLSC either had no base and operated from the sand itself, or from wooden clubhouses; and it is to the credit of all those past and present club members that the club should have produced such skilled lifesavers and such able and talented competitors.

Woolacombe prides itself on its competitive record, which has seen it maintain its position as top senior club and then overall champion club of Great Britain for more than ten years

At one time the club’s strength lay in a core of members who were also the local lifeguards. Nowadays, however, its strength lies in a broad family base, which is reflected, in a mixed membership of over 140 members at Nipper, Junior, Intermediate, Senior and Master levels.

It has been particularly pleasing to see the massive increase in parental involvement – they don’t just come to watch their children, they are there in the surf as well!

Kevin Cook – Club Chairman