Exclusive: Surf’s response to bombshell culture complaints about ‘boys club’

Surf Lifesaving Queensland is launching a review into its culture and behaviour after a series of explosive scandals across several clubs. These are the scandals that have rocked the organisation.

• Lifesaver accused of rape at Gold Coast surf club
• How surf lifesaving put its head in the sand after explosive claims

SURF Life Saving Queensland is to launch a formal review into its culture and behaviour after a series of explosive scandals across several clubs.

In exclusive reports since 2019, the Bulletin has exposed allegations involving a dirt file, illegal footage taken in locker rooms, alleged sex tapes and claims of kickbacks for clubbies.

In the latest complaint, a surf lifesaving family wrote to a Gold Coast MP calling for an end to the “boys club” and for management to be more “accountable” to members.

Surf Life Saving has launched a formal inquiry. Picture: Brendan Radke.

The MP plans to raise the claims with the Prime Minister.

The Bulletin’s reporting has included:

* An alleged sex tape at a Gold Coast club involving a 15-year-old girl and another minor. Members feared it would not be investigated or referred to police. SLSQ declined to give an update.

* Footage posted on social media showing a Sunshine Coast surf star in her swimmers dancing in the shower and another “giving the finger” to the camera.

* A dirt file sent by a whistleblower was tabled by the Queensland Surf Life Saving board. It included allegations about a lifesaver being drunk on duty, a member driving SLSQ vehicles while unlicensed, and claims of sexual harassment and staff kickbacks. Surf later dismissed the claims as “unsubstantiated”.

* A young lifesaver accused of raping a 21-year-old woman at a Coast clubhouse on September 13 last year. He will appear in the Southport Magistrate’s Court on March 3 after being charged with one count of rape. The Bulletin is restricted from identifying the man and cannot reveal the club for legal reasons. There is no suggestion the allegations against the man are linked to any other incidents.

Surf Life Saving Queensland announced the formal review on Tuesday after the Bulletin sent a series of questions about behaviour and culture.

Gold Coast clubs will feature in the inquiry. Picture: Brendan Radke.

SLSQ was asked if it or the club involved regarding the Coast sex tape complaint had contacted police. Surf was asked what happened to a behavioural review and whether it felt members involved had serious behavioural problems.

In a statement, SLSQ said: “Surf Life Saving Queensland are conducting a formal review of specific policies and procedures relating to activities undertaken within clubs.

“The review will play an important role in identifying any opportunities to improve safety. Safety is a core value of Surf Life Saving Queensland and we are committed to keeping both beachgoers and our members safe.”

Forde MP Bert van Manen has responded to constituents raising concerns.

It said the membership of the man accused of rape was suspended on February 11.

In the latest development, an email from a surf lifesaving family to Forde MP Bert van Manen said the movement needed to be “more accountable” or it risked being portrayed as “another boys club”.

In his response, Mr van Manen said his staff had made him aware of the family’s concerns and promised to “actively discuss this with my colleagues and the Prime Minister”.

The family said it believed surf lifesaving needed to overall its constitution and for management to uphold values which protect all members.

The views are supported by whistleblowers on the Gold and Sunshine coasts who have lost memberships after making complaints about surf lifesaving policy.

COUNCIL SILENT ON SURF ASSAULT REVIEW

THE council is remaining silent on whether it will review its lease arrangement with a Gold Coast surf club following a police investigation of an alleged rape.

A young lifesaver has been accused of raping a 21-year-old woman at a Coast clubhouse on September 13 last year.

The star athlete has been charged with one count of rape and is due to appear at the Southport Magistrates Court on March 3.

The red and yellow swimming flags with a Gold Coast skyline as backdrop. Picture: Brendan Radke.

He has been stood down from competition and patrols once the police investigation was concluded and a decision made to lay charges. He shares dual membership at two surf clubs.

The Bulletin understands Surf Life Saving Queensland will not conduct its internal review until the police investigation is completed.

The newspaper is restricted from identifying the man and cannot reveal the club for legal reasons.

Given the club leases its clubhouse from the Gold Coast City Council, the Bulletin asked the council whether it had begun a review of the tenancy agreement.

The council was asked if its officers had begun discussions with the surf lifesaving club or the State’s governing surf lifesaving body as the tenant at the council-owned facility, and was it satisfied the tenant, in this case surf lifesaving, is being compliant with the requirements of the lease.

Beaches closed on the Gold Coast. Photo: Scott Powick NEWSCORP.

The council was also asked whether it was concerned because serious allegations have been made about behaviour on council premises.

A city spokesperson in a statement said:“This is a matter for police.”

Previous reporting by the Bulletin has highlighted “behaviour issues” at other clubs on the Coast and the Sunshine Coast after whistleblowers reached out to share experiences.

In early 2019, a complaint file put together by a whistleblower contained explosive allegations about behaviour.

A month later the movement faced a sex-tape scandal after the sharing of video featuring a teenage girl and older boy, both lifesaving club members.

In a separate incident on the Sunshine Coast, female beach stars had caused a wave of complaints after footage of them in locker-room showers was posted on social media.

There is no suggestion the allegations against the man are linked to these incidents.

Follow @PaulWestonGC