PERHAPS the only good story to come out of a horror summer on Bass Coast’s beaches has been to highlight the magnificent work that boardriders do, almost matter-of-factly, to rescue beachgoers that might have otherwise drowned.
In fact, there have been many more of these stories, thankfully, this summer than details about near misses and, tragically, accounts of drownings in the surf.
There’s already a high level of respect between boardriders and surf club members, which wasn’t always the case, a relationship made closer this summer and now GippsSport is making that organic arrangement, keeping beachgoers safe, official.
GippSport is delighted to be partnering with Surfing Victoria and local orgasnisations; Bass Coast Boardriders, Phillip Island Boardriders and Inverloch Surf Lifesaving Club to offer two sessions of Surfing Victoria's water safety program: Surfers Rescue 24/7.
“This partnership has been driven from a desire to support the local Bass Coast community following a devastating summer with a number of drownings across Bass Coast beaches,” said GippSport in a statement about the initiative.
“La Trobe University research in partnership with Surfing Victoria shows that surfers play a critical role in keeping people safe on unpatrolled beaches each year and complement the incredible work of the local surf lifesavers.”
GippSport has identified that this course would be a proactive way to upskill local surfers across the Bass Coast.
“Research shows that surfers are often first responders and although this training doesn’t intend to replace formal emergency rescue training or surf lifesaving services, in partnership with Surfing Victoria we hope to equip local surfers with the knowledge and education to perform rescues safely at beaches where they often know the risks particularly well from their presence and local knowledge”, GippSport Executive Officer Dan Poynton said.
He said Surfers Rescue 24/7 is a free Board Rescue and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) course for all surfers and recreational water users.
“It provides vital training to assist in an emergency situation and could ultimately save a life. The course is tailored around surfing, comprises of theoretical and practical elements that cover the following topics;
- Identifying someone in trouble in the water
- "Rip" Current and Wave Types education.
- Attempting a rescue in the water.
- Board Rescue Techniques.
- Transporting someone out of the water.
- Administering Basic First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
- Envenomation education GippSport & Surfing Victoria are pleased to offer two courses across Bass Coast.
The sessions are free and open to anyone in the community.
Surf rescue dates
The two sessions will be held at the following times:
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Session 1: Tuesday March 19, 2024, 5.30pm to 8.30pm at Phillip Island Boardriders Club Clubrooms 76 Veterans Drive, Newhaven.
- Session 2: Wednesday March 20, 2024, 5.30pm to 8.30pm at Inverloch Surf Lifesaving Clubrooms 163 Surf Parade, Inverloch.
Places are limited, registrations are essential. To register please request a registration link from Gene Parini at gene@gippsport.com.au or 0428 358 335.
