In response to alarming new data showing a significant rise in drowning deaths at Australian beaches, SWIM Australia has established a crucial new partnership with Float to Survive Australia for SWIMSAFER WEEK 2024.
The collaboration comes at a critical time, as Royal Life Saving Australia’s latest National Drowning Report reveals a 45% increase in drowning deaths at beaches compared to the 10-year average, with rip currents being a major contributing factor in over 35% of these tragedies*.
Bondi Rescue’s legendary lifesaver, Bruce “Hoppo” Hopkins, who is behind Float to Survive Australia will also step in as the ambassador for SWIMSAFER Week from 18 – 24 November. With a clear focus on water safety in all environments, the collaboration is set to emphasise the importance of learning to swim and mastering the life-saving skill of floating.
“February alone saw more deaths on our beaches than the average, marking a truly tragic year for beach safety in Australia,” said Brendon Ward, CEO of SWIM Group, the industry organisation responsible for SWIMSAFER Week.
“Learning to swim and floating go hand-in-hand; you can’t do one without mastering the other and we know being able to float provides crucial time that enables people to be saved in a water emergency.”
Hoppo, who has seen firsthand the devastation caused by drownings, is passionate about the campaign’s mission.
“Every year, we see too many lives lost to the ocean, and it breaks my heart,” he said. “The ability to float can make all the difference when someone is caught in a rip or struggling in the water. This partnership with SWIMSAFER Week is about giving people the knowledge and skills they need to survive and I am very excited to be involved this year.”
Hundreds of swim schools across the country will participate, hosting special float clinics as part of SWIMSAFER Week.
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www.swimsafer.org.au https://www.floattosurvive.au/
About Float to Survive Australia
Float to Survive Australia is committed to teaching essential water safety skills, with a particular focus on floating. Understanding the critical importance of this skill, Float to Survive works tirelessly to educate the public and equip individuals with the knowledge needed to stay safe in aquatic environments.
*National Drowning Report 2024 Royal Lifesaving Society Australia https://www.royallifesaving.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/85324/RLS_NationalDrowningReport2024_WEB.pdf
11 November 2024 – Splash! online article
Bondi Rescue’s Hoppo Hopkins named Swimsafer ambassador
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Herald Sun
