Surf Life Saving NSW spotlights graduation of young CALD Surf Lifesavers

Surf Life Saving NSW has spotlighted the recent graduates of the Swim Brothers culturally sensitive swim and ocean safety program. A group of 11 teenage boys, from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities - of Middle Eastern, subcontinental and African heritage - recently completed their Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC) and became fully fledged volunteer lifesavers through a culturally sensitive training program at Wanda Surf Life Saving Club in Sydney’s south.

While this program in its existing form has been running for four years, with the first graduates earning their qualifications in 2022, the significance of this new milestone is in the age of the men who have undertaken the 2024/25 program. It is the first time in NSW and more broadly, Australia that a program like this has produced teenage lifesavers.

The graduates of the Swim Brothers culturally sensitive swim and ocean safety program worked hard over many weekends to arrive at this impressive milestone.

With the youngest just turned 13, the boys donned the red and yellow patrol uniforms for the first time, presented to them by their trainers from the Wanda Surf Life Saving Club and the NSW Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib. The club has demonstrated how creating connections and building trust can result in a shared sense of belonging while the Sutherland Shire Council lifeguards supporting the program have made this dream a reality for the boys and their families.

Surf Life Saving NSW President Peter Agnew was very proud to present the Swim Brothers with a donated vehicle to help them with the delivery of this ground-breaking program.

SLSNSW Chief Executive, Steve Pearce noted “the true heart of this program is not just the development of some new and very capable lifesavers within our ranks, but the ripple effect that their journey has within their communities. We’re very proud of the team at Wanda surf club, headed up by Denny Rowlands, and assistance from the Sutherland Shire Council lifeguards who tailor this program beyond our regular course structure to ensure these men are ready to hit the beach.”  

The SRC is a foundation qualification for many junior surf lifesavers, equipping them with essential skills to join a patrol team and help perform rescues. It is a stepping stone to the Bronze Medallion, which is the core award for active patrolling surf lifesavers.

Since 2022, 15 men had graduated from the program, and that number has now nearly doubled with these recent graduates.

Previous participants have gone on to achieve rescue boat qualifications, while some are on their way to becoming Cert IV trainers and being capable of delivering the program to fellow members of the community in the future.

Swim Brothers co-founder, Omar Mahmoud noted “every summer, we’re devastated by the loss of young lives to drownings - and young males from migrant communities are overrepresented.

“These groups often lack swim experience, surf literacy and the essential skills to stay safe at the beach. 

“This culturally safe and bespoke pathway brings them into Surf Life Saving and surf culture, and helps close the gap in awareness, skills, and participation.”

Fellow co-founder, Feroz Sattar added “this program is about much more than swim and rescue skills.

“For many young men, especially from Muslim, migrant and emerging communities, there’s been limited pathways to Surf Life Saving or the surf community.

“By creating those connections, we’re not just teaching skills - we’re building trust, relationships, and a shared sense of belonging.”

Swim Brothers was founded by Omar Abu-Mahmoud and Feroz Sattar after a group of men from a western Sydney mosque almost drowned in a rip at a remote beach and were saved by off-duty surf lifesavers.

Omar Abu-Mahmoud is the co-founder of Fitness for Purpose, a not-for-profit organisation he established alongside Feroz Sattar. Dedicated to creating equitable access to aquatic education, the organisation leads two nationally recognised programs - Swim Brothers and Her Swim School - which have empowered over 3,000 individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to learn how to swim and stay safe in the water.

Mahmoud has helped forge strong partnerships with organisations such as AUSTSWIM, Surf Life Saving NSW, and Speedo to enhance the quality, reach, and sustainability of their initiatives. Under his leadership, Fitness for Purpose has received national recognition, including the AUSTSWIM ‘National Local Community Initiative’ award and finalist placements in two categories at the Royal Life Saving “Aquas” Awards.

Omar Abu-Mahmoud and Feroz Sattar will be presenting at SWIMCON 2025, Australia’s leading aquatic conference dedicated to swim coaches, teachers, and swim schools being held from 19th to 21st September. Click here for more information on the event in the Australasian Leisure Management Calendar.

Images. Credit: Surf Life Saving NSW