Saving lives in the surf costs money and most of those funds are acquired through community donations.

To help keep the coins coming Surf Life Saving came up with Boardies Day to encourage people to wear board shorts for a day in March.

It costs more than $100,000 per year to provide the surf lifesaving services to the community from the nine South Coast clubs between Warilla and Mollymook.

Of that $100,000 only $9000 is directly provided by the government.

In the last three years through sponsors and supporters the South Coast branch has provided $123,000 worth of lifesaving equipment.

Surf Life Saving South Coast branch president Steve Jones said Boardies Day was a good opportunity for promoting surf lifesaving to the community.

“It’s also a way for us to seek support through donations so we can continue to provide safe beach and aquatic environments surfing to the community,” he said.

To take part participants can register online to receive an information kit to help spread the word and a personalised online fund-raising page, which can be used to receive online donations.

If you can’t wear board shorts to work or school, there is an option to make a donation online.

Visit www.boardiesday.com.au to learn more and support your local lifesavers.