PATROL CAPS

Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) has completed surveying patrolling surf lifesavers across Australia about the use of the red and yellow quartered patrol cap.With an overwhelming 7,200 responses, the vast majority of surf lifesavers voted to keep wearing the patrol cap whilst volunteering on the beach.

Surf Life Saving Australia’s Chief Operating Officer, Peter George AM, said
SLSA undertook this survey as we had received feedback from our membership on some concerns they have with the patrol cap. These included a belief that the patrol cap is a barrier to recruiting younger members, that it has become increasingly difficult for patrol captains and clubs to enforce the mandatory wearing of the patrol cap and that the cap offers little sun protection. The results from the survey show that in fact only a small minority of our membership have these concerns and we’re happy to say that the patrol cap is here to stay. We are committed to listening to our volunteers and will continue to do so as our organisation plans for the future.

Survey results and full media release appear below