A groundbreaking study has revealed the significant role surfers play in enhancing beach safety across Victoria, Australia.
Researchers from La Trobe University conducted an extensive survey of 562 recreational surfers between 2020 and 2023. Their findings show that, on average, every 100 surfers provide beach safety advice 11.6 times, deliver first aid 0.43 times, and assist swimmers in distress 1.1 times.
Extrapolating these figures, researchers estimate that surfers contribute more than 70,000 assists and administer nearly 25,500 cases of first aid to beachgoers annually across the state.
Kiera Staley, a research fellow at La Trobe Business School’s Centre for Sport and Social Impact, said the study underscores surfers’ invaluable contribution to the safety of others in and around the water.
“The results provide a much-needed estimate of the safety actions Victorian surfers undertake to support beach users and the wider community,” Staley said. “Surfers are often highly skilled swimmers with strong knowledge of beach hazards, making them a vital resource for assisting people experiencing difficulty in the water.”
With over 95 per cent of Australia’s beaches lacking professional lifeguard supervision, surfers and bystanders are frequently the first responders in emergencies at unpatrolled locations.
The study also highlighted the impact of formal training on surfers’ readiness to help. Those holding board rescue qualifications were 29 per cent more likely to provide safety advice and administered first aid three times more frequently than untrained surfers.
Since 2018, Surfing Victoria has offered a free board rescue and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) course to surfers and recreational water users throughout the state. Nearly 5,000 participants have completed the Surfers Rescue 24/7 program, delivered through public sessions, local boardriders clubs, and surf schools.
Adam Robertson, CEO of Surfing Victoria, emphasised the ongoing commitment of surfers to beach safety. “Surfers spend year-round time in the water, often at unpatrolled beaches, equipped with surfboards that serve as ideal flotation devices for rescues,” Robertson said. “This study highlights the crucial role surfers play and their significant contribution to water safety each year.”
He added that educating surfers and beachgoers on safety measures and rescue techniques is essential to reducing incidents and keeping Victoria’s beaches safe.
