'Uncool' iconic surf cap may be dropped

The Surf Life Saving association may drop the iconic red and yellow caps after officials noted younger members consider them "uncool".

The SLS will survey its members across the country to decide on the fate of the quartered patrol cap, which have been used for more than 70 years.

The national review was sparked after NSW surf life saving clubs reported younger members were shunning the cap due to style concerns.

The feedback was that members thought it was "uncool" and didn’t offer enough sun protection.

While the cap has been part of the official uniform since the 1980s, last summer a red wide-brim and peak hats were introduced as mandatory to better protect lifesavers from the sun, the Daily Telegraph reports.

One suggestion is to remove the cap from the standardised uniform altogether, or make it an optional accessory.

Each individual club and branch will be able to mandate its use.

It is believe the red-and-yellow colours are based on the international code of naval signals for man overboard.