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read moreWestern Sydney University is tackling the challenge of ocean water safety among its students - particularly among new international students - through an ongoing program to build their confidence in the water and learn vital beach safety skills.
Enabling students to swap their classrooms for the beaches of the Illawarra and Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs to learn life-saving beach safety skills, Western Sydney University has been running its highly successful Beach Safety initiative for six years as part of its Inclusive Communities and Peer programs, with more than 170 students participating to date.
This year has seen more than 50 students head to Bondi Beach to build their confidence in the water and learn vital skills from a Waverley Council team including Chief Lifeguard Bruce ‘Hoppo’ Hopkins, face of the ‘Float to Survive’ campaign, star of reality TV program Bondi Rescue and President of the Australian Pools and Ocean Lifeguard Association (APOLA).
For many of the participants, the visit was their first time experiencing an Australian beach - or any ocean. In a two-hour long session, students learned the important Float to Survive technique, as well as other essential beach safety tips such as how to identify a rip, how to signal for help and what the warning signs and symbols mean.
Another group, has also headed to Wollongong’s beaches to learn from Milton Nelms, the internationally recognised swimming technique and athlete development authority, and Float to Survive ambassador Ken Holloway.
Filmed by WIN News, Holloway explained the importance of people floating when in distress in the ocean, stating “it gives you time, time to be rescued or for the waves to wash you back to the shore.”
This year the University has scaled up its program with several Beach Safety Days taking place, providing hundreds of students with the opportunity to participate in a bid to increase awareness of the importance of water safety.
Explaining that as beautiful as Australia’s beaches can be, they can also be treacherous - even for the most experienced beach goers, Western Sydney University’s Vice-President (People and Advancement), Angelo Kourtis advised “taking a dip in the surf is part of enjoying the Australian summer, but there are risks. International students might not have experience navigating strong currents or identifying rips.
"We need to do more as a community in ensuring international students enjoy all Australia has to offer - safely.”
As one of the most socially and culturally diverse universities in Australia, Western Sydney University takes its responsibility for student safety and success seriously.
Kourtis added “our long-running Beach Safety support program creates important social connections, helping students get to know their peers, have fun and build lasting friendships.
“Beach Safety Day is about our international students safely and confidently enjoying Australia’s beautiful beaches and waterways. It’s an opportunity to connect with the culture, with community, and with the support students will need for a successful and rewarding study experience.”
Images: Western Sydney University students learning Float to Survive techniques at Bondi Beach. Credit: Sally Tsoutas.
3rd May 2024 - APOLA recognises professional lifeguard for role in aiding victims during Bondi Junction stabbing rampage
19th March 2024 - 2024 APOLA Conference to argue for investment in drowning prevention
1st March 2024 - Surf Life Saving Australia reveals summer with 99 drowning deaths and more than 5,000 lives saved
28th February 2024 - Aquatic Industry event highlights achievements of drowning prevention campaigns
28th January 2024 - World Conference on Drowning Prevention organisers invite input on closing statement
25th January 2024 - Victoria’s deadliest drowning tragedy in almost 20 years claims four lives
6th January 2024 - Blacktown City Council and Western Sydney University partner in local urban heat study
29th December 2023 - ‘Float to Survive’ message promoted across social media
16th December 2023 - GWS GIANTS and Western Sydney University launch sports management course
12th December 2023 - APOLA President Bruce Hopkins promotes ‘Float to Survive’ message with Blacktown City Council
30th November 2023 - Randwick Council introduces professional lifeguarding services at two new Sydney beaches this summer
21st April 2023 - APOLA’s 26th National Conference heads to the Gold Coast
17th March 2023 - Shellharbour City Council lifeguards recognised by APOLA
23rd January 2023 - Float to Survive message demonstrated in ocean rip at Sydney’s Manly Beach
2nd December 2022 - Randwick City and Waverley councils launch Float to Survive initiative to reduce national drownings
23rd September 2022 - Float to Survive safety message to be trialled by Waverley and Randwick Councils
9th September 2022 - APOLA President Bruce Hopkins gains support for adoption of Float to Survive initiative as a national anti-drowning prevention message
2nd September 2022 - City of Canterbury Bankstown to host lessons on Float to Survive techniques
24th May 2022 - Conference sees APOLA ride a wave of change
21st February 2022 - URBNSURF Melbourne to host APOLA’s 25th National Conference
7th May 2021 - Bruce Hopkins and Craig Riddington launch ‘Float to Survive’ water safety initiative
7th May 2021 - Review gives ‘top marks’ to Gold Coast’s professional lifeguard services
22nd May 2019 - Federal Government won’t deliver on APOLA funding plea to reduce drownings
15th December 2017 - Leading professional lifeguard says swim between flags message is ‘desirable but unrealistic’
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