St Edmundsbury Life Saving Club Calendar

 

Autumn Term 2026

Suffolk Branch Open Water Challenge on Sunday 6th September (see below)

Classes are currently suspended.

 

 

 

Suffolk Rookie Challenge 2026

The Rookie Challenge is an annual event, involving pairs of Rookies testing their lifesaving skills in four events:

• The Incident - Pairs face an unknown incident in the pool with five casualties and various aids with only 60 seconds to save them all.
• First aid incident - Pairs face an unknown dry incident with a couple of casualties and various aids with only 60 seconds to treat them.
• The Rope Throw - Both members of each pair take it in turn to coil and throw a rope over 7 metres and pull in their casualty as fast as possible.
• Body Board Relay - Each partner has to body board one length of the pool in a relay race against the clock.

The winners are presented with the Rookie Challenge Shield. Venue and date to be confirmed.

 

Suffolk Branch Open Water Challenge 2026 - The Sheila Norman Trophy

This free to enter FUN pairs event aims to give all club members the chance to enjoy mixing with each other and having fun in the open water. The challenges will include:

• Flags relay - similar to beach flags but on the shingle
• Lifeguard Fitness - a short run and swim with a torpedo against the clock
• Paddle Board Rescue - one person swims out to a line and their partner paddles out to rescue them, and then swap around
• Rope Rescue - just like a rope throw, but in the sea!
• Torpedo Rescue - rescue your partner with a torpedo

For those club members that haven't yet experienced open water this is a great place to start, as there will be lots of Branch trainers on hand to help and teach new skills. The pairs will be mixed between clubs. We would encourage swimmers to have a wetsuit (optional) and have a bright swim hat and beach/ wet shoes. The event will be held at the Lifeguard Hut at the Dip in Felixstowe, IP119SU (see map below) on Sunday 6th September. Meet at The Dip by 9.45 am for 10.00 am start. Directions to The Dip are below. Any changes due to weather etc will be posted here and on the home page.

 

Open Water Training and Tests 2026

Training for the open water element of the Survive & Save programme along with Rookies on the beach will be held at Felixstowe, on Sundays in summer. There is more emphasis on fun for the younger children, but all have the opportunity to learn open water life saving skills. Groups depend on numbers and ability. All sessions are usually for approximately two hours in the morning (starting at 10 am until approximately 12.00 pm). There is usually a small charge for this (money all goes to the running and maintenance of the Lifeguard Hut). Training is held at 'The Dip' - see below for directions. Dates to be announced.

In addition, there may be a still water swimming (no lifesaving) session in a local lake. To be confirmed.

 

Club Camp 2026

Long Beach Campsite, Hemsby, 17th to 19th July. For more information and to book a place, please see the letter now available here.

.

Bob Myles Open Water Challenge 2026

Tthis fun competition, consists of several events (such as rope throw rescue, paddle board, run and swim, flags). Handicaps will be given out as necessary to make the competition fair! The winners will be awarded the Bob Myles Open Water Challenge trophy. Date to be confirmed, but often takes place during club camp weekend..

 

Directions to The Dip

All Felixstowe training will be held at the beach lifeguard station at The Dip.

The Dip is located beside Cliff Road between The Pines and Western Avenue; look out for the RLSS or SELSC flags outside the lifeguards' hut. There is a large pay and display car park (Cliff Road Car Park) a short distance past Western Avenue but before you get to Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club.

View Larger Map