Cooly could be considered the birthplace of Surf Lifesaving Queensland with the first recorded rescue in Queensland being at Coolangatta in 1909 and the first Queensland surf lifesaving club known as Tweed Heads & Coolangatta, being established just a few years later 1911.
After patrolling our beach for over 100 years and with our festival book-ended by both the Coolangatta and Greenmount Surf Lifesaving Clubs which operate 365 days a year, it seemed only fitting that we would support Surf Lifesaving Queensland as our nominated charity for the 2021 Cooly Rocks On
Today, Surf Lifesaving Queensland has 57 surf lifesaving clubs with members patrolling 8,000 kilometres of the Queensland coastline from Port Douglas to Rainbow Bay with a simple but very important mission – zero preventable deaths in Queensland public waters – beaches, waterways and lagoons.
“Surf Life Saving Queensland is proud to be Cooly Rocks On’s charity partner in 2021. From Friday June 11 – Sunday June 13, SLSQ will have a merchandise stall, selling their limited-edition Hawaiian shirt. All proceeds from the event go back to SLSQ whose members keep thousands of lives safe on Gold Coast beaches every year. Keep an eye out for the iconic red and yellow uniform, as volunteers will also be collecting donations for our clubs.”
Surf Life Saving Queensland CEO David Wimpey Tweet
We encourage you to support SLSQ, while’s you’re at Cooly Rocks On. You can buy one of their limited-edition Hawaiian shirts (a great nod to Elvis’s movie Blue Hawaii) or simply make a small donation.
All funds raised are used to maintain and purchase rescue gear and equipment, enhance training and development programs for their lifesavers and more.
Also joining our Cooly Rocks On family of partners is The Strand at Coolangatta. Located directly across the beach and alongside the Shannons Show ‘N’ Shine, The Strand has a dynamic mix of fashion, surf wear, supermarkets, gifts and homewares, so you’re sure to find something special to take home after your visit to Cooly.
While you’re at the festival, swing into The Strand and head up to the first floor where you can watch or take part in The Strand Dance Workshops. You can learn rock’n’roll, swing, rockabilly, balboa and more. The workshops and dance classes are being held daily from 9am, right next to the Pancake Diner and classes are only $10 per person.