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The Sandon Point Surf Life Saving Club (SPSLSC) in the NSW Illawarra, has become the first Surf Life Saving Club to adopt the Float to Survive drowning prevention campaign.

The campaign, developed by SPSLSC President Ken Holloway aims to raise awareness and change behaviour to avoid drowning by teaching energy conservation techniques to keep airways above water.

Supported by a grant of $15,000 from the IMB Bank Foundation, the Sandon Point club will target CALD communities with higher drowning risks, delivering theory and practical lessons based on Float to Survive principles to the multicultural communities and schools of the Illawarra.

Holloway advised “we will target new arrivals and new people moving to the Illawarra.”

Located at Bulli in the NSW Illawarra region, the Sandon Point Surf Life Saving Club was established in 1961.

Surf Life Saving Australia launches summer anti-drowning campaign
Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) has launched a new national safety campaign designed to reach men and give more people the tools to keep themselves safe when visiting the beach.

Starring Australian-born actor and filmmaker Angus Sampson, the new water safety campaign ‘Stop. Look. Stay Alive’ is aimed at getting people to make safety a priority when visiting the coastline this summer.

Sampson is fronting a new television, online and outdoor advertising campaign, appealing to Australian men - the main group who continue to swim at unpatrolled locations and take unnecessary risks.

Surf Life Saving Australia President, John Baker stated “one life lost on our beaches is one life too many, and it is our aim with this campaign to keep water safety top of mind for all beachgoers.

“Unfortunately year in and year out men are overrepresented in our drowning statistics, prone to taking risks and not adhering to the safety advice. “

As part of the campaign, SLSA has also teamed up with Qantas to unveil a new virtual training platform for the community called ‘Beach Passport.’

Beach Passport is a mobile or online course that will provide the public with basic water safety knowledge.

It can be accessed at www.beachpassport.org.au

Image: Sandon Point Surf Life Saving Club President Ken Holloway (centre) launches Float to Survive with local CALD community members.

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