At Coogee Beach, a beach safety initiative for international students is set to expand across New South Wales, following a successful pilot run that equips foreigners with essential skills to navigate Australia’s unique and sometimes hazardous beach conditions.
Driven by the program’s impact, the University of New South Wales (UNSW), in collaboration with Surf Life Saving NSW and Coogee Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC), launched the *Water Safety for International Students Community of Practice (WSIS CoP)*. This coalition of educational institutions, community organisations, and government agencies aims to increase the accessibility of beach safety education to migrants and international students across the state.
The group started its first joint initiative at Coogee Beach in early November 2024. Forty students from multiple universities participated in a three-day beach safety event sponsored by Study NSW and run in partnership with Surf Life Saving. Under the guidance of surf lifesavers at Coogee, students were introduced to essential water safety skills, from identifying rip currents to understanding wave dynamics.
UNSW Water Safety Officer Oliver Jackson noted the event’s significance, highlighting it as a major collaborative effort between NSW’s educational providers and Surf Life Saving to support international students and migrants in enjoying Australia’s beaches safely.
The initiative also launched the Beach Ocean Safe (BOS) Program Toolkit, a comprehensive resource that includes training materials, safety guidelines, and educational content. The toolkit is designed for surf clubs, educational providers, and community organisations, enabling them to implement the BOS program easily. Groups interested in running a BOS session can now coordinate directly with their local Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) to arrange courses.
With over a third of drowning deaths in Australia involving people born overseas, the BOS program and WSIS CoP aim to fill a critical gap in safety education for international and migrant communities. Mr. Jackson expressed optimism about the program’s growth, calling the event a significant step in ensuring that newcomers to Australia gain the skills and confidence needed to enjoy its beaches safely.
Published 6-Nov-2024
