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Western Sydney University is tackling the challenge of ocean water safety among its students - particularly among new international students - through an ongoing program to build their confidence in the water and learn vital beach safety skills.

Enabling students to swap their classrooms for the beaches of the Illawarra and Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs to learn life-saving beach safety skills, Western Sydney University has been running its highly successful Beach Safety initiative for six years as part of its Inclusive Communities and Peer programs, with more than 170 students participating to date.

This year has seen more than 50 students head to Bondi Beach to build their confidence in the water and learn vital skills from a Waverley Council team including Chief Lifeguard Bruce ‘Hoppo’ Hopkins, face of the ‘Float to Survive’ campaign, star of reality TV program Bondi Rescue and President of the Australian Pools and Ocean Lifeguard Association (APOLA).

For many of the participants, the visit was their first time experiencing an Australian beach - or any ocean. In a two-hour long session, students learned the important Float to Survive technique, as well as other essential beach safety tips such as how to identify a rip, how to signal for help and what the warning signs and symbols mean.

Another group, has also headed to Wollongong’s beaches to learn from Milton Nelms, the internationally recognised swimming technique and athlete development authority, and Float to Survive ambassador Ken Holloway.

Filmed by WIN News, Holloway explained the importance of people floating when in distress in the ocean, stating “it gives you time, time to be rescued or for the waves to wash you back to the shore.”

This year the University has scaled up its program with several Beach Safety Days taking place, providing hundreds of students with the opportunity to participate in a bid to increase awareness of the importance of water safety.

Explaining that as beautiful as Australia’s beaches can be, they can also be treacherous - even for the most experienced beach goers, Western Sydney University’s Vice-President (People and Advancement), Angelo Kourtis advised “taking a dip in the surf is part of enjoying the Australian summer, but there are risks. International students might not have experience navigating strong currents or identifying rips.

"We need to do more as a community in ensuring international students enjoy all Australia has to offer - safely.”

As one of the most socially and culturally diverse universities in Australia, Western Sydney University takes its responsibility for student safety and success seriously.

Kourtis added “our long-running Beach Safety support program creates important social connections, helping students get to know their peers, have fun and build lasting friendships.

“Beach Safety Day is about our international students safely and confidently enjoying Australia’s beautiful beaches and waterways. It’s an opportunity to connect with the culture, with community, and with the support students will need for a successful and rewarding study experience.”

Images: Western Sydney University students learning Float to Survive techniques at Bondi Beach. Credit: Sally Tsoutas.

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