Kiama Surf Life Saving Club will host a special “Pink Patrol” on Sunday in recognition of International Women’s Day, with female members filling every operational role on the beach.

The patrol will feature women serving as Patrol Captains, IRB Drivers and Crew, Advanced Resuscitation Certificate holders, and Bronze Medallion and Surf Rescue Certificate holders. 

Male members, described as “Male Champions”, have also been invited to attend for part or all of the shift in support of the initiative.

The idea was instigated by club member Denita Smee, who said the concept came to her while on patrol during the COVID period.

“I was on patrol one day with one of our female captains and realised we could actually have a full contingent of females with the required tickets to run a volunteer patrol,” Smee said. 

“We thought – let’s do it.”

The Pink Patrol has been opened to all qualified female volunteer members, including those who have progressed through nippers and recently earned their Surf Rescue Certificates.

Its aims are to celebrate women past and present in surf lifesaving, increase the number of women on patrol, promote training and operational development opportunities, highlight leadership pathways and encourage women to gain new skills and awards. 

The timing reflects more than a century of evolving female involvement at the club.

Early records show women were members of Kiama Surf Club as far back as 1912, primarily in fundraising and support roles, and assisting with nippers. 

Nationally, women were not permitted to gain their Bronze Medallions or join mixed-gender patrols until Surf Life Saving Australia reversed its policy on July 1, 1980.

 Kiama formally integrated women as active award members in the 1980/81 season.

In 1984, Kim Taber became the club’s first female “Clubman of the Year”.

On Sunday, several qualified female Patrol Captains – the senior role responsible for beach operations – will lead the patrol, supported by a newly qualified female IRB Driver, IRB Crew and members with advanced resuscitation credentials, meeting all requirements of a standard volunteer patrol.

Members will wear pink to ensure the patrol is easily recognisable. 

The day coincides with a nippers swim from Kendall’s Beach to Surf Beach, offering younger members the opportunity to see women undertaking every aspect of beach operations – from coordinating radios and first aid to managing the IRB.

With the Pink Patrol both honours the women who helped shape the club and highlights the growing presence of women across all areas of surf lifesaving at Kiama – the day is sure to be a splash.