Lifeguarding professionals act on ‘unprecedented’ NSW drowning toll with water safety camp.

JANUARY 12, 2017

Bruce 'Hoppo' Hopkins, Head Lifeguard at Bondi Beach and Vice President of Surf Educators International (SEI) has announced an education initiative that will provide children and parents with crucial information to alert them to the dangers of both the ocean and back yard swimming pools and teach them some fundamental basics that will help save lives.

With NSW having recorded an unprecedented number of drownings over the holiday period, Hopkins believes it is imperative that positive action is taken to teach children basic lifesaving techniques in the water.

The star of Channel Ten's reality television show, Bondi Rescue works with Surf Educators International (SEI) and together with SEI President, Craig Riddington will, in an effort to minimise further drownings across the country, provide a free water safety education day at Bondi Beach on Friday 20th January.

Riddington a previous Ironman and Surf Lifesaving champion has been running school water safety programs since 1998. As one of the founders of the Uncle Tobys Ironman Super Series, and the Founder for Surf Educate Australia (SEA), Riddington is a widely recognised ambassador for water safety.

SEA has previously hosted practical surf safety camps for schools, families, corporate groups and other ocean swimmers - including children at rural schools and schools in lower socioeconomical areas within and around Sydney who might visit the beach on holidays.

These schools are target demographic to reduce drowning, with surf lifesaving reports mentioning that education is a key factor in having an effect.

Riddington explains "my team at SEA has successfully taught over 20,000 school children last year alone, about water safety survival and we have significantly reduced drowning overseas.

"We provide programs that help save lives and offer a healthy and active learning experience. This is a necessity to ensure safety in the water."