Surf Lifesaving NSW joins Qld and Victorian counterparts with vax mandate for frontline volunteers

More than 20,000 people will soon need be double-dose vaccinated after a jab mandate was introduced to their industry.

Clubbies from Tweed Heads to Pambula will need to be fully vaccinated if they want to patrol the beaches from February 1, thanks to a sweeping new mandate from Surf Lifesaving NSW.

Frontline members of the 20,000 volunteer army – including surf competitors and nipper instructors – will need to be double dosed or face being taken off the beach.

The edict from Surf Life Saving NSW brings the organisation in line with Victorian and Queensland counterparts, though it does not come into effect until two months of summer are over.

Mooloolaba Nippers Maggie Mendes 10, and Mieke Dos Riemdios 10. Picture Lachie Millard

The mandate on Queensland clubbies doesn’t come into effect until the end of March.

Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steven Pearce said the organisation did not want to lose volunteers over the mandate, and thus would be “as flexible as possible” with those not yet jabbed.

“Obviously over the past 18 months Surf Lifesaving NSW has been grappling how to protect their members from Covid,” Mr Pearce told 2GB on Monday.

Lifesavers Riley Mitchell and Chloe Silva. Picture Lachie Millard

“The only way we can see that we can mitigate the possible risk of volunteers contracting or transmitting the disease while they’re on patrol on the beaches is for them to be double vaccinated.”

The move is designed to protect both volunteers and the public, and comes after heated debate within the ranks of the organisation.

Mr Pearce said it had proven a “divisive topic”, with feedback from members either strongly advocating for the mandate or strongly against it.

It comes after NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard in October mandated vaccines for police employees, health workers and those employed in aged care.

There are also mandates on public school and preschool staff and construction workers.

Originally published as Surf Lifesaving NSW joins Qld and Victorian counterparts with vax mandate for frontline volunteers