Mick Ellercamp, brother Don and their coach and comrade Ron Ham have been part of the team since the late 1960s.

However, their focus was not always on the march past.

Like several others on the 12-strong team, Mick, Don and Ron are former surf boat rowers.

Mick, 80, and Don, 76, are both immortalised in the Australian Lifesaving Hall of Fame.

They won three Australian surf boat rowing titles; their most memorable win was their first, in Moana, South Australia, in 1960.

Subsequent wins were in Warrnambool in 1963 and Ocean Grove, both in Victoria, in 1970.

The pair rowed in the club's masters team for 15 years up until 2005.

It was then they decided to direct their efforts towards training with the march past team, captained by Ron, who had long since given up surf boat rowing.

As Mick suggested, the sport is based on timing, precision and unity, much like a military drill.

Uniformed teams march around the sand, carrying a reel. The best score is zero, with points added for every misstep.

Mick said the march past was a surf lifesaving tradition.

"Some of the younger kids these days don't think much of it," he said.

"It's all about discipline and showing your colours for your surf club."

The march past is an annual event at the Australian Open surf lifesaving titles.

This year they are at Kirra Beach, Queensland, in April.

The Caves Beach team has won four of four competitions this season; its latest score was a zero at Freshwater in January.

Coach Ron believes 2015 could be their year to claim back the Australian title, which the club has not won since 2011.