This page includes ILS Patrons, ILS Life Governors and ILS Honorary Life Members.

ILS Patrons

Minimum Qualifications: Any person whose has contributed to the furtherance of lifesaving and the goals of ILS in a manner of enduring importance.

The ILS Patrons are:

• H.R.H. King CARL XVI Gustaf of Sweden
• H.E. Nelson MANDELA (South-Africa) – former President of South Africa (deceased in 2013)
• H.E. Seyed Mostafa MIRSALIM (Iran) – former Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance
• H.E. Robert James Lee (Bob) HAWKE (Australia) – former Prime Minister (deceased in 2019)
• H.E. Charles HAUGHEY (Ireland) – former Prime Minister (deceased in 2006)
• H.E. John MAJOR (United Kingdom) – former Prime Minister
• H.E. Brian MULRONEY (Canada) – former Prime Minister of Canada
• H.E. Michel ROCARD (France) – former Prime Minister (deceased in 2016)
• Dr. Dave WILLIAMS, MD (Canada) – Space Agency Astronaut

ILS Life Governor

Minimum qualifications: Any person who contributed to the furtherance of lifesaving and the goals of ILS in a manner of enduring and significant importance. ILS will have no more than four Life Governors at a given time, preferably one per ILS Region.

• 2008: Alan WHELPTON AO (Australia – Surf).

ILS Honorary Life Member

Minimum qualifications: Any person who contributed to the furtherance of lifesaving and the goals of ILS in a manner of significant importance. ILS will have no more than four Life Members per ILS Region.

• 1997: John HONNOR (New Zealand – Surf) (deceased in 2024).
• 2013: Dr. Klaus WILKENS PhD (Germany – DLRG).
• 2024: Ronald RANKIN AM (Australia – Surf).