Classes to teach surfers life-saving skills

THOUSANDS of Victorian surfers have been trained to help keep the beaches safe this summer, and more surfers are being invited to sign up.

Started in 2019, the Surfers Rescue 24/7 program has seen more than 3,000 participants skill up in life-saving board rescue and CPR techniques.

Surfers who complete the course are trained in how to spot a person in trouble in the water, rescue that person using readily available floatation devices such as a surfboard and perform CPR.

All courses are led by professional first aid and water safety instructors.

Surfers Rescue 24/7 is an initiative of Surfing Victoria and supported by the Victorian government and Emergency Management Victoria.

“Surfers are at the beach all year round and frequent non-patrolled locations such as Bells Beach, Pt Addis, Flinders, Beacon at 13th Beach and Cape Woolamai on Phillip Island,” Surfing Victoria chief executive officer Adam Robertson.

“Surf Life Saving Australia noted in their annual coastal safety report that 49 per cent of drownings happen more than 5km away from a life saving service.

“By training up surfers in lifesaving techniques, we are increasing the level of beach users who are able to assist in an emergency situation and ultimately save lives.”

Coming courses are available for free, with limited spaces available in each course, at:

Ocean Grove – January 18

Torquay – January 22

Torquay – February 5

Phillip Island (PIBC members only) – February 15

Phillip Island – February 16, and

Torquay – February 26.

For more information or to register, head to surfingvic.com/surfers-rescue-24-7