Free rip safety lessons to aid research project
Rip-current safety lessons are being held at Umina Beach and Pearl Beach this week to aid a research project.
Free safety lessons led by local volunteer lifesavers will be run until Thursday, April 18.
The 10-minute lessons will be run four times a day between 11:30am and 3:30pm tomorrow (Tuesday), Wednesday and Thursday.
The project is being conducted collaboratively by Ocean Beach and Umina Surf Life Saving Clubs, Surf Life Saving Australia, the Universities of Melbourne and the University of New South Wales.
Member for Gosford Ms Liesl Tesch praised the collaborative research initiative and encouraged locals to contribute their time and feedback at the rip current safety skills lessons.
"Our local beaches are beautiful drawcards for locals and visitors alike.
"However, we must acknowledge that a degree of risk often lies beneath our waves.
"Staying safe and making the most of our local beaches requires knowledge and skill."
Participants can briefly speak with the research team after the safety lesson and will be provided with a complimentary drink voucher that can be redeemed at the Umina Beach Cafe.
Beach safety researcher Professor Rob Brander said that reliance on the prevailing message to "swim between the flags" was not enough.
Professor Brander said that new approaches to beach safety that target drowning prevention on unpatrolled beaches are needed.
"This new research - which connects communities with lifeguards and lifesavers through safety lessons on the beach - is a fantastic and much needed initiative that will help expand beach safety education and drowning prevention efforts beyond the flags."
The research team will be assessing the public's response to safety lessons conducted by volunteer lifesavers, whether the safety messages are retained, and how likely they are to apply them at an unpatrolled beach.
Associate Professor Brian Cook from the University of Melbourne said community engagement was the key pillar in the research project being conducted at Umina and Pearl Beach.
"Our objective is to evaluate the impact of evidenced-based drowning prevention via relationship building between lifesavers and beachgoers through the delivery of skill development lessons on the beach."
SOURCE:
Media release, 9 Apr 2024
Liesl Tesch, Member for Gosford