Myzone
Email for trade enquiries: Enquiriesapac@myzone.org Customer support desk - Click Myzone support or go to ‘help’ on myzone app to access live support. Myzone® is the leading…
read moreThe City of Gold Coast’s professional lifeguards will be sharing their skills with one of Japan’s busiest beachside destinations as part of a long-running exchange program next month.
Five Gold Coast Lifeguard Services staff will travel to Kanagawa Prefecture from 22nd to 30th July as part of a friendship agreement to work with their counterparts, focusing on surf safety, rescue, resuscitation, and surveillance technology.
They will also be assisting the Kanagawa Prefecture lifeguards with establishing their first ever professional lifeguard service.
Advising that said the program is an important part of the Gold Coast’s Friendship Agreement with Kanagawa, which was founded on a similar beach culture, Gold Coast Mayor, Tom Tate stated “our Lifeguard Exchange Program is the City’s longest-running Friendship Program and offers incredibly valuable experience for lifeguards in both countries due to our similar lifestyles.
“This trip is particularly exciting for City lifeguards who will be providing the skills and expertise to set up a permanent lifeguard service that will run year-round - something Kanagawa has never done before.”
The Lifeguard Exchange Program has been running every year since 1995, except for a three-year hiatus in 2020-2022, and returned last November when eight Japanese lifeguards visited the Gold Coast.
The exchanges helps both regions’ lifeguards with informing and educating beachgoers about surf safety relevant to their culture and background, while sharing the skills needed for patrolling, resuscitation and surveillance technology.
City Lifeguard Manager, Jim Dixon said the exchange program would give his team insight into handling larger crowds as well as the cultural differences between Australia and Japan.
Dixon advised “Kanagawa Prefecture has a population of around 9 million people, so when you add on the number of visitors to the region, the volume of beachgoers is much larger than what our lifeguards see here.
“The visit will not only provide valuable support to Kanagawa, but it will also give our lifeguards experience with larger crowds on the beach as well as gaining a better understanding of their culture.”
Gold Coast beaches welcome more than 20 million people each year with anywhere between 50,000 and 200,000 people per day across the coast’s 43 patrolled beaches in peak periods.
3rd May 2024 - APOLA recognises professional lifeguard for role in aiding victims during Bondi Junction stabbing rampage
19th March 2024 - 2024 APOLA Conference to argue for investment in drowning prevention
28th January 2024 - World Conference on Drowning Prevention organisers invite input on closing statement
12th December 2023 - APOLA President Bruce Hopkins promotes ‘Float to Survive’ message with Blacktown City Council
5th December 2023 - Global water safety community converges on Perth with a mission to end drowning
30th November 2023 - Randwick Council introduces professional lifeguarding services at two new Sydney beaches this summer
17th March 2023 - Shellharbour City Council lifeguards recognised by APOLA
18th September 2022 - Professional ocean lifeguard patrols ramping up for summer
7th January 2022 - Staff shortages impact Gold Coast’s lifeguard team and close Upper Coomera Aquatic Centre
7th May 2021 - Review gives ‘top marks’ to Gold Coast’s professional lifeguard services
22nd May 2019 - Federal Government won’t deliver on APOLA funding plea to reduce drownings
15th December 2017 - Leading professional lifeguard says swim between flags message is ‘desirable but unrealistic’
15th November 2017 - Gold Coast lifeguard numbers to be increased to cope with Commonwealth Games visitors
27th December 2015 - Professional Lifeguards highlight need for safety first at the beach
9th January 2014 - Gold Coast lifeguard charged after driving over tourists on Surfers Paradise beach
Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?
As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.
Click here to view our subscription options.
The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.
Email for trade enquiries: Enquiriesapac@myzone.org Customer support desk - Click Myzone support or go to ‘help’ on myzone app to access live support. Myzone® is the leading…
read moreCentaman has been a market leader in Enterprise Software Solutions for the leisure and recreation industry and both profit and not-for-profit attractions since 1991. It offers a wide range of software…
read moreFounded in 1961, Myrtha Pools® quickly became Italy’s première swimming pool company, and has since grown into one of the world's leading swimming pool construction…
read moreAt easyemployer we've come up with a software solution that manages one of your most important, and often most costly, business resources - your staff. We are helping 100s of clients to…
read moreAflex Inflatables are the leaders for obstacle courses, pool toys, waterparks and land-based watersides and fitness runs. They are industry leaders offering the widest range of pool, lake and beach…
read moreHumanforce is a global provider of workforce management solutions for companies who need flexibility to manage complex workforces. Companies use Humanforce to manage everything from time and…
read moreAIS Water, the trading name of Australian Innovative Systems, is a multi-award winning, Australian owned leader in the design, production and supply of commercial and residential chlorine generators…
read moreProSlide is the global leader in water ride design and manufacturing, supplying high-performance water attractions to new and expanding water parks around the world. For over three decades, ProSlide…
read moreGet your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!