Torquay surfers learn lifesaving skills

SURFERS will again play an important role in water safety this summer with the Surfers Rescue 24/7 Program restarting its in-person training sessions.
The free board rescue and CPR program was initially created in New South Wales and has been adapted for this state by Surfing Victoria with the help of the Victorian Government and Emergency Management Victoria.

More than 1,800 surfers have completed the program since June 2019.

This year’s sessions began on October 24 and will continue throughout spring and summer, including a session held earlier this month in Torquay.

The most recent Royal Life Saving Australia Drowning Report found COVID-19 had resulted in more people seeking out remote places to escape crowds, swimming outside of patrolled hours, taking more day trips to isolated beaches, rivers or lakes and holidaying domestically at unfamiliar locations, leading to an increased drowning risk.

Similarly, the Surf Life Saving National Coastal Safety Report found just over half (51 per cent) of drowning deaths in 2020/21 occurred more than 5km from a surf lifesaving service, a six per cent increase from the 17-year average.

Surfing Victoria says surfers are in the water from dawn to dusk every day and act as vital first responders in ocean rescues and it is expected these trends will continue with a relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions leading into summer, so it is important for as many surfers as possible to complete the course and learn how to save a life.

“The Surfers Rescue 24/7 program has taught over 1,800 surfers how to perform a rescue and administer CPR making the beaches safer right across Victoria,” Surfing Victoria chief executive officer Adam Robertson said.

“We are incredibly proud of the program and the impact it is having and encourage all surfers to book in for your nearest session!”

The programs will be held under Surfing Victoria’s COVID-19 Risk Management Strategy that will see no sharing of equipment, reduced class sizes, QR code check in and adequate space for social distancing.

Sessions will be held in Warrnambool on November 27, Port Fairy on November 28, and in Torquay on December 5 and December 12.

Dates for the Mornington Peninsula, Phillip Island, Bass Coast and sessions in 2022 will be announced in the coming months.

To book, head to the Surfing Victoria website.

Group bookings are encouraged and can be booked by emailing [email protected].

For those who are unable to attend a session, the Surfers Rescue 24/7 Course can also be completed online.