Lifesavers bring the beach to the bush

Surf Life Saving Queensland’s Beach to Bush program launched this morning with the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter making a visit to Mount Whitestone State School in the Lockyer Valley.

Eight students from the regional school got to see Lifesaver 45 up close and hear from the crew on how they keep beachgoers safe.

This year’s program will see six tours travel thousands of kilometres across Queensland visiting 49 schools and educating more than 8,000 students.

SLSQ Community Awareness Manager Helen Hallett said the program enabled lifesavers to educate students who were largely unfamiliar with surf hazards or the potential dangers of inland waterways such as dams and creeks.

“The presentation will teach students how to identify safe places to swim at the beach, how to look for and interpret warning signs, and how to recognise risks when swimming in their local waterway.

“Ultimately, the visits allow us to reinforce the importance of swimming at patrolled beaches – between the red and yellow flags – when students and their families visit the coast.”

UPDATED 2 SEPTEMBER 2020

Our lifesavers had another another busy day on the road for Beach to Bush, visiting 16 schools across the state.

The largest school of the day, Darling Heights State School, saw more than 650 students educated on beach and water safety.

Majority of students throughout the day spoke about how they visit the beach during their school holidays, which reiterated the importance of the program.

Tour 3 even met a student who had been stung by an Irukandji!

Now to rest up before tomorrow, the third and final day of 2020 Beach to Bush.

UPDATED 3 SEPTEMBER 2020

The final day of Beach to Bush saw 15 schools visited across Queensland.

Students at one school even got dressed up in their best beach attire to welcome the lifesavers.

Over the past three days the tours have delivered more than 60 beach and water safety presentations.

If your school is interested in being involved in next years program please email communityawareness@lifesaving.com.au