Ampol Ramping Up Support of Surf Life Saving Clubs by Giving Away Critical Rescue Equipment

Ampol Ramping Up Support of Surf Life Saving Clubs by Giving Away Critical Rescue Equipment

Tuesday 12 August

Surf Life Saving Australia and Ampol continue to enhance their partnership of powering Surf Life Saving Clubs across the country with the launch of the 2025 Ampol Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) Hull giveaway.

The return of the Ampol IRB Hull giveaway, now in its fourth year, is a vital initiative that supports Surf Life Saving Clubs with upgraded rescue equipment to help keep Australian beaches safe.

Ampol have increased their commitment in 2025 by giving away 12 IRB hulls (previously 2 in prior years) expanding the number of clubs who will receive these critical pieces of rescue equipment.

Jenny O'Regan, Ampol Chief Brand Officer, said: " We want to ensure that the impact of our partnership with Surf Life Saving Australia is long lasting while also supporting the immediate need to increase community lifesaving resources ahead of the upcoming patrol season.

"Ampol is dedicated to continuing our support of thousands of volunteer lifesavers who give up their time to ensure everyone can enjoy our great Australian coastlines safely, each and every summer.

"We hope that Ampol's contribution of essential rescue equipment can go a long way to supporting Surf Life Saving Australia's mission of zero preventable deaths within Australian waters."

The IRB was a critical innovation in the 1970s and continues to be a vital piece of equipment that has saved countless lives across Australia. The IRB is one of the most critical items every club in the country operates in order to protect their local community and visitors to the beach alike.

Surf Life Saving Australia CEO, Adam Weir, said that ensuring clubs have access to the latest and reliable equipment is crucial, and made possible thanks to partners like Ampol.

"Inflatable Rescue Boats (IRB) are the workhorse of our community Surf Life Saving Clubs when it comes to rescues and surveillance, with the Ampol IRB Hull Giveaway providing more clubs with the opportunity to have the latest equipment on their beaches," Weir said.

"We see first hand the impact vital rescue equipment has in local communities all across the country, not just along the coastline but also in the broader area.

"This initiative from Ampol over the last three years has received strong applications from right across the country and we're expecting the same again this year."

Previous winners Evans Heads-Casino SLSC received a brand-new IRB hull thanks to the generous support of Ampol in 2024. The prize is the club's number one craft and was used throughout the season to perform regular patrols, assist in community emergencies and to train and upskill members.

Michael Pontefract, Evans Heads-Casino SLSC Club Captain, said the IRB made an immediate impact in helping keep beaches safe and continues to support the local region with natural disaster management.

"It was our primary craft this past season – reliable, responsive, and essential. We're incredibly thankful to Ampol and Surf Life Saving Australia for giving our team the tools to do what we do best and that is keeping our community safe," Pontefract said.

"While our beach was spared from the worst of the recent Cyclone Alfred storm's impact, we know that surrounding areas continue to recover with the IRB remaining a crucial part of the response infrastructure, much like it did for our club and the Richmond Valley area in the 2022 floods. In times of natural disaster, every piece of equipment counts, and we have seen that first hand.

"Having the IRB available during and after the cyclone ensured we were ready to assist if needed, not just on the beach, but across the broader community".

The Ampol IRB Hull Giveaway is part of Ampol's long-standing commitment to supporting grassroots Surf Life Saving. This year, the program returns with the same mission to provide deserving clubs with the equipment they need to perform rescues, train members, and serve their communities.

Entries are now open until mid-September. Clubs and the general community are encouraged to enter by sharing how a new IRB hull and critical pieces of rescue equipment would enhance their operations, strengthen patrol capabilities, and make a difference on the beach and the community. For more details and to apply, click here.