THE SURF LIFESAVING CLUB
Biarritz Sauvetage Côtier
HISTORY OF THE CLUB
Origins
The BSC is a surf club affiliated to the French Federation of Surf lifesaving and First Aid. It was founded in 1995 in Biarritz, at the Côte des basques, in the Atlantic Pyrenees.
The physical and technical skills of the surf lifesavers of the club are quickly being noticed when selecting professionals’ lifeguards for the vigilance of the beaches of Biarritz.
In 2001, the Biarritz surf club takes its current name with the purpose of developing the Surf lifesaving sports. The surf club keep in mind the following:
- Practice of the sport (in the surf or in the pool).
- Get First Aid Training and to surf rescue.
- Mobilize safety teams to sports and cultural events.
In order to support the professional goals for their members that want to patrol their beaches, the Surf Club launched the first training sessions for surf rescue and first aid. First the National Safety diploma of Surf Rescue, with the requirement of First Aid training in a team.
At the same time, in a desire to train the population in first aid actions, training sessions on Prevention and Civic Rescue 1 were created for the public.
Since 2005, to increase the diffusion of first aid techniques, you can become a first aid trainer.
THE SPORT DEVELOPMENT
with operational rescue
Everywhere in France, lifesaving sport is gaining in scope and actively developing, through the French Federation of Rescue and First Aid. Several associations are emerging on the Aquitaine coast.
In 2004, after returning from the world championships which took place in Italy, the club acquired its first surfboat.
In 2006, Biarritz hosted the French Surf lifesaving championships.
Since 2007, the association has taken over from fireman in providing training for lifeguards employed on the beaches of Biarritz. Here is a filmed extract of the training course.
From 2010 and the creation of the national club ranking, Biarritz Sauvetage Côtier is ranked in the Top 6, thus obtaining the status of an elite club.
Dominators in the sports world of rescue and enterprising in first aid training, the leaders of the association wanted to develop a complementary component, operational rescue. From then on, the Biarritz SC acquired its first ambulance to provide operational first aid stations at various sporting and cultural events on the Basque Coast.
In 2012, true water sports enthusiasts, the Watermans of Biarritz Sauvetage Côtier wish to develop the practice of Bodysurfing. The club then affiliated with the French Surf Federation.
In 2013, faced with demand in the territory, the association acquired a second ambulance.
The next year, during the French Championships in Hossegor, the Bask club began their coronation of French champion, which would last 4 years, until 2017.
In terms of first aid, the Biarritz Surf lifesaving became actively involved in drafting the content of the new national diploma entitled “Sauveteur Secouriste Aquatique” in the coast, and became in April 2015, the first organization in France to provide it.
For Aussies 2016, the prestigious Australian National Championships, the Biarritz surfboat crew, helmed by its president Manu IMMIG, climbed to 3rd place on the podium!
At the same time, the surf club renew its fleet of cars and provides 3 ambulances.
During 2018, the board management decided to remodel the club storage with separate spaces for training and operational emergency equipment. The club is also setting up a bodybuilding and cross training area to develop the general physical preparation of athletes.
In 2019, more than 1000 members aged from 7 to 77 years old get invested in different areas, that collaborate to the health and dynamism of the Surf club:
- A wider audience learns to secure sporting skills in the environment,
- Athletes achieve high level sporting performances,
- Trainers with recognized teaching quality, provide 88 training sessions per year
- 95 rescuers perform 3,430 hours of volunteer work per year, ensuring the safety of 53 events.
During summer 2019, the club acquires 20 surfskis, to develop training to get more competitors to participate to surf ski events.
The year 2020 was marked by the global health crisis but the club has been able to adapt and rebound to ensure the continuity of sports training, first aid training as well as its operational support to local structures.
Thanks to the participation of all members, but also thanks to the confidence granted by the municipality of Biarritz, the club is now giving itself the opportunity to achieve its ambitions.
THE TEAM
The Surf Club Status
Association governed by the law of July 1, 1901, the legal capacity of the BSC is declared in the sub-prefecture of Bayonne. The last status approved in 2013.
Club Organisation
Given the size of the surf club and its volume of activity and success, the offices have hired several employees since July 1, 2004. There are currently 9 of them: 3 for administration and 6 sports educators.
For further details, please refer to the employees or office bearers.
Nota: all employees and educators have an email address such as: name.lastname@biarritzsauvetagecotier.com
Organisational chart
VOLUNTEERS
All office bearers mentioned here above are volunteers. Thanks for your understanding.
Do you want to contact an office bearer?
Contact them by email: name.lastname@biarritzsauvetagecotier.com
BNSSA Training course
Water Safety training supervised by René DUBES and Daniel SCHLIENGER
Assisted by Maryse DUBES and Monique SCHLIENGER.
Contact: bnssa@biarritzsauvetagecotier.com
BOARD OF MANAGEMENT
Organisational chart
Members
Here is the trombinoscope of the Board of Management
EMPLOYEES
All members mentioned here below are employees (except the president).
Organisational chart
Functions
Administrative agents
Mika – Surf lifesaving director
- Human ressources management
- Budget management
- External communications with schools and organizations
- Surf club development
Clément – Civil Security Manager
- Educational manager (management of a team, equipment, infrastructure, trainers, and members of first aid training)
- Management of the operational organization (management of equipment, infrastructure, and volunteer rescuers
- In charge of the OHS project (First Aid at work)
- In charge of the project « 1 member = 1 lifesaver »
- In charge of trainer développement (PSC, PS ou SSA).
Alexandra – Secretary of Biarritz Surf Club
- General Management administration
- Membership management of Surf Lifesaving school
- Surf Club administration
- Website and social media management
- Events administration management.
Coaches
Seb
- Supervision of the activities of Surf lifesaving school
- Management of General Physical preparation of athletes.
- Responsible of training groups (D5, P4 et C3);
- Responsible of sports rules
- Coordinator of the sport section of the highschool Jean Rostand;
- SSA Training management,
- Responsible of Training management of trainees (PSC, PS or SSA).
John
- Supervision of the activities of Surf lifesaving school
- Responsible of training groups (C1 & C2, E1 & E2);
- Coordinator of the sport section of the high school Jean Rostand; Class 6th/5th and 4th/3
- Responsible of the project Kids and the Ocean
- Responsible of Bodysurf activity
- SSA Training management.
Sven
- Supervision of the activities of Surf lifesaving school
- Responsible of training groups D1, 2A, 3A, 3B;
- Coordinator of the sport section of the high school Jean Rostand; Class 6th/5th.
- Responsible of the project Kids and the Ocean
- SSA Training management.
Thomas
- Supervision of the activities of Surf lifesaving school
- Responsible of training groups D4 A & B, P1,2 & 3;
- Coordinator of the sport section of the high school Jean Rostand; Class 6th/5th.
- Responsible of the project Kids and the Ocean.
Thaïs
- Supervision of the activities of Surf lifesaving school
- Responsible of training groups D- 2B;
- Responsible of the project Kids and the Ocean.
HALL OF FAME
At every competition, the Biarrots are present at any age category.
They perform in any event of surf lifesaving: pool rescue, surf & sand events, surfboats, long distance…
The Hall of Fame doesn’t stop from growing. Please find below some important results.