Silver Salties is a physical activity and social connections initiative for older Australians designed by Surf Life Saving Australia in conjunction with Surf Life Saving Clubs and funded by Sport Australia’s Move It Aus – Better Ageing Grants Program. Silver Salties is designed for older Australians, however people of all ages can participate.
Surf Life Saving Clubs can choose to deliver one or more of the 20 Silver Salties programs on offer which include accessible, friendly, safe and fun activities at the park, clubhouse, beach, pool and in the surf catering for older Australians’ diversity in age, weight, mobility, fitness or experience. SLSCs can choose Silver Salties programs to deliver that suit club capacity, setting and context, as well as participant interest.
Silver Salties gives Surf Life Saving Clubs an opportunity to engage older Australians in the community, broaden their service and ‘sport’ offerings to older Australians, capitalise on older Australians’ life experiences, educate older Australians about water safety to reduce the risk of drownings, attract new “Community” members to the club community, and receive subsidies to run approved Silver Salties programs and/or to develop innovative approaches/programs. Read about the positive impacts of Silver Salties at Seacliff SLSC.
Silver Salties Ambassador, Laura Thurtell, believes Silver Salties is one of the strongest, feel-good, anti-depressant vibes around because it combines being near the ocean with fun, adventurous, like-minded people. Read more about our Silver Salties Ambassador.
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Silver Salties includes 20 appropriate and rewarding programs which are beneficial, safe, friendly and accessible activities at the park, clubhouse, beach, pool and surf.
Surf Life Saving Clubs can choose to deliver one or more of the 20 Silver Salties programs on offer that suit club capacity, setting and context, as well as participant interest.
Take a look at videos of each program area and read specific program summaries below.
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.
The Australian Federal Government has implemented community sport guidelines to combat the spread of COVID-19. Read them here.
Join the Walk & Talk group to do a coastal walk while talking with new and old friends.
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Be mindful, stronger and more flexible using gentle yoga poses and stretches.
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Relax, enjoy the sea air, and gaze at the horizon while learning about surf lifesaving, indigenous and local histories.
Get fitter, have better balance and learn about meditation trying Tai Chi – an internal Chinese martial art practiced for defense training and health benefits.
Learn basic First Aid, as well as resuscitation, to support others at home, at the beach or anywhere in between!.
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Volunteer at the local Surf Life Saving Club by sharing your interests & expertise e.g. typing, fixing things, mentoring younger people, being an official at events, working the BBQ, supporting Nippers etc.
Increase your range of movement, muscle tone, flexibility, cardiovascular fitness and social connections through movements to music from the comfort of a chair.
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Join the Wisdom and Wellbeing group where you can learn from guest speakers about the importance of physical activity, social connections, health and well-being.
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Learn about lifesaving including a tour of the patrol areas, beach safety knowledge, surf skills, radio operator skills and more.
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Get fitter and stronger on the beach including a circuit of moderate, strength, balance and flexibility exercises.
Join the Social Club for fun physical activity on the beach e.g. bocce, kites, cricket, sand darts, stone skimming, frisbee, followed by a social event e.g. BBQ
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Participate in modified beach surf sports including fast running, relays, flags, wading activities and running-based games.
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Do low-impact exercises in the pool such as walking, stretching and modified aqua aerobics.
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Enter and exit a pool safely, floating techniques, how to move safely in the pool and how to do a range of swim strokes.
Do modified pool rescue techniques including line throw, tube rescue and brick carry.
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Join the weekly Pool Swim Club to increase your cardiovascular endurance, strength and flexibility. .
Do a Tube Rescue and a Board Rescue (simulation/ scenarios) in calm water and where appropriate, in surf conditions.
Be a more confident surf swimmer including; how to read surf conditions, do entries and exits, wade in the water, body surf and swim in the ocean.
Catch waves including body surfing, body boarding, catching waves etiquette and general surf safety.
Join the weekly Surf Swimming Group to increase your physical fitness and social connections.
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Program finder coming soon.
Silver Salties has been designed for older Australians but welcomes participants of all ages.
To register your interest to participate in a Silver Salties program complete the form in the link below.
We will notify your local Surf Life Saving Club about your enquiry and work with them to explore opportunities to launch programs to match your interest.
Register your interest now.
All affiliated Surf Life Saving Clubs across Australia are welcome to pilot Silver Salties. Click on register to enter your club details. You can access various support tools including a seed grant and education, marketing and administration templates from the Club Toolkit. If you’re still unsure, try answering the 10 Question Planning Guide to see if you’re club is ready to pilot Silver Salties.
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