On 30 July 2011 Surf Life Saving Queensland announced Mermaid Beach Surf Life Saving Club as the Youth Development Club of the Year. This is a proud honour for the club, recognising its contribution towards improving and developing our youth of today and what they can offer for the future. Of 59 surf clubs in Queensland Mermaid Beach was rated the best in youth development over the 2010/2011 season just finished. The Club will now go onto the Surf Life Saving Australia awards in Sydney to represent Queensland

The Club puts a strong emphasis on promoting youth activities and programs for members who are between 13 and 25 years old and was awarded the Queensland Youth Development Club of the year in 2011. This includes the Youth Involvement Program (YIPs) which is a reward program where youth members collect points for being involved in a range of surf life saving activities under the following categories:

• Life saving
• Development
• Competition
• Administration
• Junior Activities
• Youth Activities
• Club Activities
• Community Project

Points are rewarded at three levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold.

Other youth development activities participated in by the Club include:

• Leadership and development programs/camps
• Mentoring programs
• Surf sports teams
• Surf Life Saving awards courses
• Tours and visits
• Introductions to surf sport disciplines (eg surf boats, ski)
• Social events

For further information on youth activities and programs contact the Youth Development Officer at youth@mermaidslsc.org.au