Gerringong Surf Club

Surf Life Saving Club • 1976

Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club is situated at the south end of the picturesque Werri Beach, South Coast NSW. We are a tight-knit, welcoming organisation, dedicated to protecting those that swim and surf at Werri Beach, and the nearby Seven Mile Beach. The club patrols Werri Beach on weekends and public holidays during the surf season, which runs from September to April every year. Each season our members volunteer over 10,000 hours, and perform a few rescues because we prevent a thousand before they happen.

Club membership is growing strong, particularly within our active Nippers division. The club boasts a long and proud history in competition, especially in surf boat rowing. The club is also home to healthy social scene, with regular events providing members, the local community, and visitors alike an opportunity to catch up and enjoy a drink at a clubhouse with one of the best views on the coast. Once a year, we host the fearsome Captain Christie Ocean Swim, attracting swimmers of the highest calibre.

Navigation....

Surf Lifesaving.

Gerringong Surf Club patrols the southern end of Werri Beach between September and April each year. The club currently boasts nearly 100 patrolling members, who all give up their time to ensure the safety of the general public.

We are always on the lookout for new members. The club runs regular Surf Rescue Certificate (13-15yrs) and Bronze Medallion (+15yrs) courses for those looking to become surf lifesavers. Basic training courses are free for those that join a patrol.

We regularly host training opportunities beyond SRC and Bronze, including Advanced Resuscitation Techniques, Beach Management, IRB Crewman and IRB Driver. All of these courses are delivered by qualified Surf Life Saving professionals.

All patrolling Surf Lifesavers complete annual proficiency: a complete review of first-aid skills and rescue techniques, plus the challenging run-swim-run in whatever ocean conditions are dealt on the day; a powerful team building experience.

Back To Top
  • Bronze Medallion & SRC
  • Next course starting Monday 31-Oct-22
  • SRC candidates must be 13yo at assessment date
  • Bronze candidates must be 15yo at assessment date
  • Monday night classrooms @ Surf Club
  • Saturday & Sunday beach activities @ Werri Beach
  • Register interest with training@gerringongsurfclub.com
  • Contact Andy Depree on +61 499 706 829 for details

Nippers.

Gerringong is home to an enthusiastic and talented group of Nippers ranging from the boisterous under 6’s all the way up to the very competitive under 13’s. They are coached in surf safety, beach flags, ocean swim, board paddling, and more.

Nippers provides an opportunity for young people to learn and practice valuable surf skills and rescue techniques, building up to competing in carnivals and competition, eventually becoming patrolling members. We teach surf skills and ocean safety for life.

Gerringong Nippers prides itself on the pillars of fun, team spirit, competition, and ‘having a crack’. Nippers are held at Werri Beach every Sunday between October and March. A few times per year we move Nippers to Seven Mile Beach.

Nippers intersects beautifully with our social calendar. We hold inter-club days with Kiama and Kiama Downs, host occasional visits from far-flung clubs. Nippers have a Christmas party, and ride in a surf boat for the annual Gerringong Street Parade.

Back To Top

Membership.

All are welcome to join as a member of Gerringong Surf Club. Nippers have fun, learn surf skills and ocean safety, and get access to competition and carnivals. Parents can help organise Nippers as an Age Manager, where training is provided, free and easy. There is a Cadets program beyond Nippers. With an SRC or Bronze Medallion you can do Water Safety for Nippers, which is extremely rewarding. Competitive rowing, Advanced Resuscitation Training (ARTC), IRB Crewman & Driver and more…

There are a few helpful links to the right, below on mobile. Join Surf Life Saving, note if you are joining a new Nipper use Nippers’ name not the parents. Sign up for a Members Area account to manage registration on an ongoing basis. Pay fees because that covers insurance, Fees are $50 for one Nipper, $100 for a Family Group

Back To Top

Surf Club Social.

Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club is home to an ever evolving social scene. The club hosts a number of social events throughout the year, providing an opportunity for members and local residents to get together in a relaxed setting. These events are open to all members of the community, so bring your mates.

During the summer the club runs weekly Sunday Sippers. Mostly at the clubhouse, and occasionally at the adjoining Gerringong Bowling Club, on Sunday afternoon from 3pm as the patrols wind down for the day, the deck overlooking the point at the south end of Werri Beach hosts a refreshing beverage.

Inter-club Nippers, the Captain Christie early in the new year, the nationally run Surf Club Open Day at the start of the season, and many other dates all see the upstairs deck open for business. The club is also available to hire for your special event. Stay in touch for details, get in touch to make a booking for your event.

Back To Top
  • Social Calendar
  • Point Swim Almost Daily @ 08:30am
  • Santa Pics @ Werri Beach TBC 2022
  • The Werri Warrior
  • The Graveyard Classic
  • The ECBC (East Coast Bodysurfing Champs)
  • The Captain Christie
  • National Cooper Day 23-April

The Captain Christie.

The Captain Christie ocean swim is based on the legend of a sailor docked within Gerringong’s Boat Harbour, the erstwhile Captain William Earnest Bartholomew Christie. This is the oldest ocean swim of its kind, steeped in tradition, and dates back to 1882. Here’s the legend…

Legend has it that Captain Christie took up his sailor's challenge to swim from the harbour around the rocky headland to Werri Beach, for a bet of a bottle of the finest whisky. And he won. Reliving the event, every participant is rewarded for their valiant effort with a miniature bottle of whisky.

Although not long, the 1.8km long course is fraught with obstacles for the unprepared. Swimmers have to contend with the invariable north easterly wind chop, the strong currents along the rock shelf, and the breaking swell off the headland. The Captain Christie is held on the first Sunday of the new year, every year.

Back To Top
  • Captain Christie
  • Only for the fearless!
  • First Sunday of the New Year, every year
  • Boat Harbour to Werri Beach, 1.8km
  • Bottle of whisky for every competitor
  • Alternate course Seven Mile Beach
  • Contact Mitch Payne on +61 403 159 195 if you dare

Calendar Of Events....

We’ve got the general Gerringong Surf Club calendar in blue, the Patrol calendar in yellow, Nippers in red, and the Social calendar in green. The calendars are updated periodically, so check back regularly for new events and scheduling changes. Click the ‘Agenda’ button on the calendar for a super-handy list view. Most importantly, turn up at the club all over the weekends to enjoy a soy piccolo latté and to stay in loop…

Our Awesome Sponsors.

Stay In Touch!

Your Inbox.

The President himself sends a regular newsletter to all members and subscribers. The newsletter is the best way to stay up to date. Sign up, and you won’t miss a beat. Unsubscribe in a click if it ain’t your cup of tea.

Our Inbox.

The Secretary of Gerringong Surf Club, your direct line to Renee. Questions will receive a prompt response, and a direct phone number to the person in charge of your area of interest. Any questions, please send ‘em in.

Send Us Email

The Internet.

The Internet, we’re all over it. General chatter happens on Facebook. When a newsletter goes out, it appears on Twitter and Facebook as well. View the Gezzagrams on Instagram. Be nice to each other.