A groundbreaking study by La Trobe University has highlighted the significant role surfers play in enhancing beach safety across Victoria, providing the first quantitative evidence of their contributions.
Published this week in the journal Safety Science, the study collected data from 562 recreational surfers over a three-year period from 2020 to 2023. The findings reveal that surfers frequently assist fellow beachgoers, offering safety advice, first aid, and water rescues during their time on the waves.
On average, for every 100 surf sessions, surfers provided safety advice 11.6 times, administered first aid 0.4 times, and performed water rescues 1.1 times. Given that more than 6.3 million surf sessions occur annually in Victoria, researchers estimate surfers could be involved in over 70,000 rescue assists and nearly 25,500 first aid interventions each year.
“This study offers the first clear estimate of how often Victorian surfers engage in safety actions to protect beach users and the broader community,” said Dr. Kiera Staley, Research Fellow at La Trobe Business School’s Centre for Sport and Social Impact. “Our findings demonstrate that surfers are a valuable safety resource, providing crucial help to people in distress in the water.”
With more than 95 percent of Australia’s beaches lacking professional lifeguard supervision, bystanders—often surfers—are frequently the first responders during emergencies at unpatrolled locations. While these rescues are vital, they also expose untrained individuals to dangerous conditions without professional training or equipment, sometimes resulting in bystanders themselves becoming victims.
Despite the presence of over 45,000 volunteer surf lifesavers and approximately 1,350 professional lifeguards nationwide in 2024, there were an estimated 740,000 surfers along Australia’s coastline, many of whom frequent unpatrolled beaches.
The study also found that surfers with formal board rescue training were significantly more proactive, providing safety advice 29 percent more often and administering first aid three times more frequently than untrained surfers.
Dr. Staley advocates for expanded access to free first aid and rescue training for all surfers. “Surfers are often skilled swimmers with an understanding of beach hazards, making them a vital resource for community safety. This research can inform future beach safety strategies and educational programs,” she said.
Adam Robertson, CEO of Surfing Victoria, acknowledged the study’s importance in recognizing surfers’ ongoing contributions. “Surfers are in the water year-round, often at unpatrolled beaches, and their surfboards provide an ideal flotation aid for rescues. Educating surfers and beachgoers on safety and rescue techniques is essential to improving safety outcomes nationwide,” Robertson said.
The research was supported by Surfing Victoria through grants from the Victorian Government and Emergency Management Victoria.