It involves a team of six showing their ability to save lives with physical strength and fitness required in the surf and outstanding resuscitation skills.

It still attracts competitors with women now also taking up the event and participating in mixed teams at the highest level.

NSW proves to be a breeding ground of skill and dedication with Sydney providing some tough competition keeping the standards high.

Marsh started coaching the junior squad whilst still competing himself in the open division around 35 years ago, and has been involved with developing the sport for Hunter Branch since.

This weekend Swansea Belmont SLSC will celebrate the retirement of three long-standing competitors after many years of success at branch, state and national level. Martin Ross, and brothers Grant and Drew Hayes will be recognised for their efforts on Saturday, July 4.

The Hayes Brothers were formerly at Ocean Beach, and have been competing members of Swansea Belmont for the past 18 years.

Marsh recalls of earlier days when Hunter clubs first started being competitive in the event, with fierce competition between his club and others such as Nobbys, Merewether and Newcastle SLSC bringing together a certain type of people who would remain friends forever.

Swansea Belmont won the event the first time it was contested at Branch Championships in the season of 1962-63 and have been virtually undefeated in the Hunter ever since.

He credits the late Harry Clark, (ex-Branch Superintendent and Australian Team Captain) as his mentor, along with other dedicated members including Ron Liddell, experience judge who assists with coaching and the great Norm Turnkey another experienced judge who keep this event at such a high profile for their club and branch.

For the record, the section has achieved some remarkable results at the State Titles with their first gold medal performance in 1998.