Stories from the Bondi Lifeguards

 Stories from the Bondi Lifeguards

Reviewed By  Grasshopper2       January 5, 2015

 

Author  Bondi Boys

Distributor:     
ISBN:                 9781742576008
Publisher:         New Holland Publishers
Release Date:    

Website:    http://www.newhollandpublishers.com 

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Bondi Beach is an international tourist spot, as well as being a ‘must visit’ beach for Australians travelling to NSW. It is famous for its surf, wonderful climate, and beautiful environment. The popularity of the beach means that the dangers such as rips and currents and sharks need monitoring. The lifeguard’s job is to prevent mishaps and assist those in trouble. Who better to do this in a professional role than local men, who have surfed, swum and grown up in the area!

This book, with many photos, explains how the senior lifeguards all came to be in charge of one of Australia’s busiest beaches. The first chapters look at the individual stories of the boyhood and background of the characters. It makes sense that they are locals with an in-depth knowledge of the area.

 For most of the guards it began as a fill in job until they could get ‘real work’. However as tourism grew (The Olympic Games with beach volleyball was shot there) the beach became more popular and the Council decided a more professional approach to life saving was needed.

A business plan was drawn up and the guards who were chosen became well trained professionals indeed. They trained with paramedics to become first response teams; they studied legal issues and how to work with the police. Physical fitness was demanded and tested frequently.

 Dealing with drugs, fights, suicides and making citizens arrests became a part of their skills.  Numbers of bathers continued to rise. Their equipment was updated to the latest models to assist in the professional manner of their job.

Many tourists have no experience of water safety in surf beaches. Rips and currents can occur at any time. The idea of swimming between flags is not common knowledge in some areas. The lifeguards are always vigilant and have carried out many successful rescues and resuscitations.

 In 2007 an idea was put forward that a Television Show could be made around the lifeguard’s activities during a day at the beach. It had the perfect mix of drama, medical emergencies and beautiful beach scenes, with scantily clad men and women. It was intended to be an hour long documentary, but is now approaching its 10th year as a television drama.

We salute these wonderful men and women who risk their own safety to make sure others are safe. Their mateship and humour makes them true Aussie legends; their dedication to public safety is most admirable.

Lifestyle, Non Fiction