Australian medalists from the Tokyo Olympic & Paralympic Games have joined forces with leading Ironmen & Ironwomen in support of Surf Life Saving's awareness campaign for National Water Safety Day.
Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medallists Tom Green and Jean van der Westhuyzen and Paralympic silver medalist Maddie McTernan have teamed up with Surf Life Saving’s own Ironwomen/Ironmen stars Georgia Miller and Matt Bevilacqua, in a bid to make water safety a priority this summer.
Last Summer (December – February) 49 people lost their lives due to drowning on the coast, with the summer accounting for 36% of all drowning deaths across 2020-21.
Alarmingly men were once again overrepresented in the drowning statistics last year, accounting for 90%, with alcohol and drugs, risk taking behaviour and over-estimating their ability considered key factors.
Tokyo 2020 gold medallist and Currumbin Surf Life Saving Club member, Tom Green, said he wants everyone who’s heading out on the water this summer to not joke around and make water safety a priority.
“We are in and around it [water] all the time and we see a lot of young guys come here and start to paddle, and it is always good to make sure they're safe, and that they’re able to come here every day and not run the risk of getting caught out there or drowning,” said Green.
His team mate van der Westhuyzen echoed those calls, saying surf safety is an important message that should be promoted every year.
“We are surrounded by the ocean and I think it’s important that everyone has the knowledge of how to be safe and the precautions to take when going to the beach...not just this summer but every summer,” he said.
Silver medallist from the Tokyo Paralympic Games, Maddie McTernan, knows how important it is to look out for one another while enjoying the water.
“It is important to look out for your mates and children. By supervising your child in, on and around water from preventing them to getting hurt,” she said.
Australian Ironwoman Champion Georgia Miller, has seen first hand from her time patrolling just how quickly people can get into trouble when they don’t take safety seriously.
“As surf lifesavers, we know it’s so important that people swim between the red and yellow flags across summer,” Miller said.
“You never know when something could go wrong and you always know if you’re swimming between the red and yellow flags you’ve got eyes on you, ready to act.
“When going to the beach, always look out for your mates and don’t take risks around water.”
Surf Life Saving Australia CEO, Adam Weir, welcomed the support of Australian sports stars to help make water safety a priority amongst young people.
“We welcome the support of the Olympians and Paralympians who are helping get the word out about the importance of water safety and they have the ability to speak to our younger people who tend to be more complacent in and around water,” said Weir.
“Last year people aged 25-34 years accounted for 17% of all drowning deaths, the most of any age group. We also know that men were once again overrepresented in the drowning statistics, accounting for 90% of coastal drowning deaths, with alcohol and drugs, risk taking behaviour and over-estimating their ability considered key factors.
“Australians love the water, it is part of so many communities and family activities particularly over summer.
“After spending the greater part of the past two years restricted by COVID-19 we know that Australians will be keen to get to the beach and explore different areas, but we are asking the public to consider their safety around the water this Summer,” he said.
Key Actions and Safety Tips for Summer 2021/22
- Swim at a patrolled beach between the red and yellow flags – surf lifesavers or lifeguards are there to help if you get into trouble
- Wear a lifejacket if you are going boating, rock fishing, or on watercraft
- Avoid alcohol and drugs while undertaking water activities
- Always supervise children on, in and around water at all times
