Sandrays & BabyRays

The Sandrays is a community ocean swimming group based at Newcastle Surf Life Saving Club, registered with Surf Life Saving Australia and approved and operated in compliance with SLSA’s Special Event requirements and conditions.

The award winning BabyRays program, developed by Newcastle Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC), is a pioneering community initiative that equips adults with the confidence, knowledge, and skills to safely enjoy ocean swimming. It has become a catalyst for community connection, uniting surf club members and Newcastle Beach locals through a shared love of the ocean.

Sandrays Information:

Weekly schedule: We meet twice weekly, at 6.15 am, in front of the Newcastle Surf Life Saving Club.

The Sandrays is a community ocean swimming group based at Newcastle Surf Life Saving Club, registered with Surf Life Saving Australia and approved and operated in compliance with SLSA’s Special Event requirements and conditions.

The swim: We start the 1.2 to 1.5 km ocean swim starting at the north end of the beach. The length of the swim depends on how far out the surf is breaking.

Swim Safety: Open-water swimming carries risks, so participants take personal responsibility for their safety. The Sandrays also provide safety information and support:

A swim condition forecast is posted (on Insta and our WhatsApp page) the night before with a rating system of Beginners, Intermediate or Experienced.
The majority of the swimmers hold SLSA Bronze Medallion certification and are active members of Newcastle SLSC
A pre-swim briefing is conducted with tips on how to handle the surf conditions
We have a “swim buddy” policy so that someone is always looking out for you and you are looking out for someone
A large number of swimmers carry inflatable safety tubes.

Afterward: We head to a coffee shop for good conversation, swim debriefs and plenty of laughs.

Culture: We emphasise safety, friendship, fitness, and fun. It’s not a competitive club but a social support group for swimmers of all levels who enjoy the ocean. The Sandrays foster connection and community rather than formal training.

Spirit: The Sandrays embodies Newcastle’s coastal lifestyle by combining surf culture, fitness, mateship and a safety focus in a relaxed but committed routine.

Not a member of Newcastle SLSC?

1. You must enrol in a 4 swims trail in the Sandrays ocean Swim Group

2. After 4 swims you have two options:
a. Join the Newcastle Surf Life Saving Club as an Active Member which includes:
i. Membership of the Sandrays Ocean Swim Group
ii. Access to the changerooms, showers and gym
iii. Enrolment in the Bronze Medallion training course
iv. When qualified, participating in Patrols
v. Insurance coverage when swimming
b. Join only the Sandrays Ocean Swim Group which includes:
i. Swimming with qualified water safety and rescue trained members
ii. A surf forecast the night before that ranks swims as Beginners, Intermediate and Experienced
iii. No access the changerooms, showers and gym
iv. No insurance

3. After 5 swims you receive a Sandrays swim cap

BabyRays Information:

The program won the Community Education Program of the Year in the Hunter Branch Awards of Excellence for the 2024-25 season.

The idea was sparked by the popularity of the Sandrays program that attracts up to 85 people completing 1,300-metre ocean swims twice a week. A local beachgoer approached the Sandrays captain and shared a common concern: many wanted to participate but lacked surf awareness or confidence. Rather than turning her away, the club saw an opportunity—and the BabyRays were born.

The BabyRay swim is a shorter version of the Sandrays swim, approximately 400 metres, taking participants out past the breakers and back through the surf. Designed for beginners, the program is built on a foundation of inclusion, education, and safety.

What sets BabyRays apart:

Community-led and inclusive: Originating outside traditional surf club pathways, BabyRays welcomes non-members and fosters engagement with people who may have never stepped inside a surf club before. It lowers barriers and builds bridges between the club and the broader beachgoing community.
Education-focused: Every session begins with a surf risk assessment using the Operations App, followed by a clear and confidence-building briefing from the Club Captain. Participants learn practical ocean skills like how to spot rip currents, dive under waves, and stay calm when held under.
Safety-first approach: With a 1:1 water safety ratio, well beyond the standard, BabyRays sets a benchmark for ocean swim programs. Water Safety trained volunteers are equipped with rescue tubes and rescue boards which provide additional assurance to the BabyRays.
Structured and flexible: The program runs in three four-week blocks across the season, with one session per week and make-up sessions available if conditions are poor. Each group is capped at 40 participants to maintain high safety and engagement standards.
Officially recognised: Endorsed as a Surf Life Saving NSW “Special Event,” BabyRays has been acknowledged for its innovation, structure, and community benefit.

The result is transformative. BabyRays has turned hesitant bystanders into confident swimmers and surf safety advocates. It has deepened community ties and created new pathways for adult ocean engagement. Newcastle SLSC isn’t just protecting lives—it’s changing them.