Silver Salties is a participation program for older Australians (65+years) at Surf Life Saving Clubs throughout Australia, promoting physical activity, social connections, and involvement in the surf lifesaving community. Adults 18+ are welcome to participate, however, adults 65+ are the target audience.
Silver Salties is funded by Sport Australia’s Move it Aus. – Better Ageing Grant, managed by Surf Life Saving Australia, promoted by States and Branches, and delivered by Surf Life Saving Clubs.
Silver Salties programs include traditional surf lifesaving activities and popular active recreational pursuits delivered at the park, clubhouse, beach, pool, or surf.
Clubs have the flexibility to deliver Silver Salties programs to suit their context and capacity and may engage skilled and experienced club members, or an external provider, to deliver programs at different stages throughout the year.
Read more via the Silver Salties Fast Facts.
Read about the Silver Salties Program Coordinator Jocelyn Elliott, Program Ambassador Laura Thurtell, and local ambassadors and club program leaders Colin Morley (Woolgoolga SLSC, NSW) and Rozanne Green (Bondi SBLSC, NSW).
For participants. More than 2,000 older Australians have benefitted from participating in Silver Salties highly satisfied that Silver Salties has helped them improve their fitness, connect with others socially, and feel part of the club community.
“I really enjoyed my walks with Salties on Tuesday. So convenient. Most of all loved the coffee afterwards for a chat and if you had to miss a week it didn’t matter. Thanks to everyone that organised it.” Participant, Cronulla SLSC, NSW
“I loved the Beach Fitness program and looked forward to participating every week. I found the program to be wonderful for keeping fit and to meet like-minded people. Many thanks to the organisers.” Participant, Bundaberg SLSC, QLD
For clubs. More than 10% of Surf Life Saving Clubs across Australia are registered to deliver Silver Salties, and enjoy some or all of the following benefits of Silver Salties: growth of volunteers, new club members, engagement of club members as program leaders, a new pool of qualified water safety personnel, additional revenue stream, and more opportunities for community engagement and inclusion. Many Silver Salties clubs were recognised at the 2021 Awards of Excellence (branch, state, and national level) for their outstanding community engagement and service delivery.
Club Case Studies. Trigg Island SLSC (WA), Seacliff SLSA (SA), Woolgoolga SLSA (NSW), Binningup SLSC (NSW) and Bondi Bathers’ LSC (NSW). See video of Seacliff SLSA recognised by the SA Office for Sport, Recreation and Racing as a club of the future.
Silver Salties includes popular active recreational pursuits as well as traditional surf lifesaving activities which may take place at the park, clubhouse, beach, pool and surf. Clubs can choose to deliver one or more programs based on their context and capacity, as well as participant interest. Please find a summary of the Silver Salties programs on offer below. Clubs can find out more about each program in the Club Toolkit section.
SLSA acknowledges Forster SLSC, NSW, its members, and the Forster community participants who participated in the filming of the Silver Salties promotional videos in early 2020.
Silver Salties is designed for older Australians, aged 65+ years, however younger adults 18+ years are welcome to participate.
To register your interest to participate in a Silver Salties program near you, complete the form in the link below.
We will notify your closest surf lifesaving club about your enquiry and work with them to explore opportunities to get involved.
Register your interest now.
All affiliated SLS clubs across Australia are welcome to deliver Silver Salties. Once you have club endorsement to delivery Silver Salties, click on REGISTER to enter your club details.
You can access various support tools from the Club Toolkit including a letter and presentation to share with your club.
Try answering the 10 Question Planning Guide to see if your club is ready to deliver Silver Salties.
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