SHELLHARBOUR LIFEGUARDS SEEKING FOURTH STRAIGHT TITLE 

Shellharbour City Council is excited to see our lifeguards defend their title when they host this year’s Illawarra and South Coast Lifeguard Challenge at Shellharbour Surf Club on Thursday 12 February.

The event welcomes lifeguards from Wollongong City Council, Kiama Municipal Council and Shoalhaven City Council, with Shellharbour seen as the team to beat having won the competition the past three years.

The Lifeguard Challenge is a friendly but fiercely contested event testing strength, speed and teamwork through a series of beach and water-based relay legs, celebrating the skills that keep our beaches safe and camaraderie shared across the region.

Caption: Shellharbour City Council is looking to defend their title when they host this year’s Illawarra and South Coast Lifeguard Challenge. Image courtesy of Shellharbour City Council.

Shellharbour City Mayor, Chris Homer, a former lifeguard himself, said the event showcases the dedication and professionalism of the region’s lifeguards.

“The Lifeguard Challenge is a great way for teams from across the Illawarra and South Coast to come together, celebrate their hard work and push each other in good spirit,” Mayor Homer said.

“Our lifeguards do an incredible job keeping locals and visitors safe across six patrolled beaches each summer.”

The Illawarra and South Coast Lifeguard Challenge has become a key event for building connections between lifeguards, highlighting the importance of water safety and encouraging future generations to consider lifeguarding as a rewarding career path.

Nominated teams comprise six participants, including one female and one participant over 30 years old, with the race to start at 7pm on Thursday 12 February.

Shellharbour City Council looks forward to cheering on our crews as they look to defend the title and continue the proud tradition of this event.

For more information about Council’s lifeguard services, please visit Council’s website.

KEY MESSAGES:

• Shellharbour lifeguards are set to defend their title as they host the 2026 Illawarra and South Coast Lifeguard Challenge on Thursday 12 February.
• The Challenge brings together lifeguard teams from across the Illawarra and South Coast to test skills, teamwork and beach safety expertise.
• The event celebrates the professionalism of lifeguards and highlights the vital role they play keeping Shellharbour’s beaches safe each summer.