Our Float To Survive Ambassadors
Our ambassadors are the trusted faces of Float to Survive, using their influence and expertise to spread awareness about water safety and empower communities with lifesaving techniques.
Bruce “Hoppo” Hopkins
Bruce ‘Hoppo’ Hopkins is one of the world’s most influential and instantly recognised Lifeguards, a well-respected water sportsman and Australian media personality.
As Bondi’s Head Lifeguard, Hopkins has appeared in eighteen seasons of the hit television show, Bondi Rescue. The Ten Network show is based around the Lifeguard Service at Bondi Beach following the numerous rescues and day-to-day activities. The hugely successful show now airs in over 180 countries worldwide and has won six Logie Awards to date and was nominated in 2017 for ‘Most Popular Factual Television Show’.
Hoppo has spent over 30 years working as a full-time professional lifeguard and has rescued hundreds of people from the surf.
His work in drowning prevention around the world was recognised by a recent prestigious “World Leaders Summit” where he was awarded the United States Presidential Gold Medal for his humanitarian work. He is regularly invited to train lifeguards and to assist lifeguard services around the world.
Hoppo is the face and instigator of the ‘Float to Survive Australia’ campaign which is currently being supported by Waverley and Randwick Councils in NSW.
The message ‘Float to Survive Australia’ is being marketed throughout the two Local Government areas.
A recent national media campaign in Dec 2022 / Jan 2023 saw the ‘Float to Survive’ message delivered to millions of people through major metro newspapers, radio interviews, online interviews and TV appearances.
Dr Shane Gould
Dr Shane Gould is best known as an Australian sporting legend for swimming, holding world records in 6 different events and winning 5 individual medals at the 1972 Munich Olympics when she was 15. Shane has many sports awards as well as Australian of the Year 1972 and is a National Living Treasure. She has the Order of Australia medal for services to swimming and drowning prevention.
Shane is also a cultural scholar with a Doctor of Philosophy in the Culture of Swimming in Australia in 2019. She identified that Swimming is a National Identity Narrative.
You may remember Shane winning the TV show Australian Survivor in 2018, using her strategic competition skills and people-reading abilities.
What you may not know is that Shane is also a horsewoman, amateur photographer, environmental advocate and author.
Shane lives in Bicheno Tasmania with her husband Milt Nelms. She has 4 children and 8 grandchildren.
Shane loves her daily ocean swims or body surfing for pleasure and health.