âRips donât drown people, people drown in ripsâ: The secret to surviving in the ocean
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The lives of many people who fatally drowned in rips, rivers and other waterways might have been saved if they had been taught to float to survive, say
Bondi Rescue star and Waverley Councilâs head lifeguard Bruce âHoppoâ Hopkins and former Iron Man Craig Riddington.
After 15 seasons of
Bondi Rescue which now airs in 100 countries, Mr Hopkins, the president of Surf Educators International, said he didnât want to be remembered only as the âguy in that lifeguard showâ.
The river claims the lives of about two Victorians on average each year; a 35-year-old man became the latest drowning victim on Tuesday while swimming near Cobram.
Fire and strong wind warnings still in place as a heatwave conditions ease across south-eastern states
Posted
SunSunday 24
updated
MonMonday 25
JanJanuary 2021 at 1:36pm
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Sweltering conditions have eased in much of Victoria and South Australia, but fire danger remains and the heat is expected to continue in New South Wales and Queensland into Australia Day.
Key points:
A cool change hit Melbourne earlier than expected, seeing temperatures dramatically drop
Parts of NSW and Queensland are expected to maintain high temperatures into Australia Day
Surf Life Saving Queensland s lifesaving services manager Peta Lawlor said the rule applied to people of all ages and swimming capabilities. Alcohol impairs your judgment, slows your reaction time and reduces your co-ordination when in the water, she said. It does not matter how young, fit or good you are at swimming, the ocean does not discriminate and you will be tested. Surf Life Saving Australia s Coastal Safety Brief - Alcohol and Drugs also revealed most of the deaths were males between the age of 25-39 years old. We have seen people tragically lose their lives and leave behind devastated families, Ms Lawlor said.
Surf Life Saving Australia announced the decision on Thursday. The Coast is set to boast a stellar cast of lifesavers in the 2020/21 series, including defending ironwoman champion Lana Rogers, Cooper Williams, Tiarrn Raymond, Tayla Halliday, Emma Woods, Electra Outram and Tiarnee Massie. It is really unfortunate that we have had to again make the decision to postpone the start of the Nutri-Grain Ironman and Ironwoman Series, but the decision has been made with the best interests of everyone involved and the wider community, SLSA board member and surf sports board chair Suzanne Storrie said. It is impossible to 100 per cent confirm how the Series will proceed, but we are determined to explore all options to run the six rounds of the elite and Next Gen Series. Our staff are actively working through options with a wide range of stakeholders.