Surf Life Saving NSW’s flagship educational program, Beach to Bush, has hit the road again for 2024, with a host of volunteer lifesavers heading inland to promote surf safety to primary school students across regional and rural NSW.
Over the coming three weeks, more than 11,300 students will attend an Ingenia Holiday Parks Beach to Bush session with just under 100 schools slated to participate in what is the 31st year of the program.
For many, this will be their first interaction with the iconic red and yellow surf lifesavers.
In a major milestone for the state’s largest surf education program, 2024 will see the Ingenia Holiday Parks Beach to Bush program surpass 300,000 students engaged since 1994, across more than 3,500 presentations.
Students attending the program learn about the role of surf lifesavers, why they should always swim between the red and yellow flags, how to spot a rip current, what to do if they get into trouble at the beach and the different types of marine life along the coast. Lifesavers also talk about the hazards of inland waterways.
Children from regional and rural parts of NSW are often at higher risk than those from coastal locations because they are less familiar with the beach and unaware of potential surf dangers.
The key aquatic safety messages from the program can also be applied to rivers, dams, pools and other inland waterways.
“It is Surf Life Saving NSW’s vision that every student has access to important coastal safety information – regardless of the size of their school,” SLSNSW Community Education Manager, Anika Ferrari said.
“Every year more and more families are heading to the coast for holidays. Educating young Australians in safe beach practices is vital. Some children who attend a session have never actually been to the coast or swum in the ocean, let alone learned about rip currents and dangerous marine species.
“We have 13 tours this year with our lifesavers meeting students from Old Bonalbo and Mummulgum in the north-west, to Tooraweenah in the Central Western Plains and out to Wakool and Finley in the Western Riverina in southern NSW.”
The NSW Government (through the Dept of Regional NSW-Primary Industries) has once again provided some financial support for the Beach to Bush program. The program is also proudly supported by Ingenia Holiday Parks as the Naming Rights Partner and ClubsNSW through Your local club.
Ingenia Holiday Parks’ Executive General Manager Tourism, Matt Young was glowing in his praise of the program and proud to be playing a part in bringing important surf safety messages to at-risk young people.
“As proud sponsors of Surf Life Saving NSW, we are excited to support the Beach to Bush program for another year. With many of our parks located near Australia’s beautiful coastline and waterways, ensuring our guests have both a fun and safe holiday is extremely important to us,” he said.
“Given that many our guests come from rural and regional areas, we understand the crucial role of water safety education. We believe that by supporting this program, we are contributing to the safety and well-being of our community.
“Our commitment to water safety extends beyond our parks, as we aim to foster a culture of awareness and preparedness among all Australians, starting from a young age.”
Ingenia Holiday Parks Beach to Bush will run over a period of three weeks starting today, 4 November.
TOURS
Tour 1: Week 3 (18/11) – Far North Coast: Whian Whian, Coraki, Nimbin, Larnook, Kyogle, Old Banolbo, Mummulgum, Turntable, Upper Orara
Tour 2: Week 2 (11/11) – Gemstone Country: Bingara, Narrabri, Delgungra, Gum Flat, Barraba, Wollomombi, Armidale, Bendemeer, Woolbrook, Uralla, Walcha
Tour 3: Week 1 (4/11) – Gemstone Country: Inverell, Boomi, Delungra, Gum Flat, Bundarra, Barraba, Narrabri
Tour 4: Week 2 (13/11) – New England: Tamworth, Attunga, Nemingha, Niangala, Hillvue
Tour 5: Week 3 (18/11) – Liverpool Plains: Wee Waa, Gunnedah, Ellerson, Scone, Quirindi
Tour 6: Week 3 (20/11) – Hunter Valley: Merriwa, Taree, Millbrodale, Sandy Hollow, Maitland, Congewai, Upper Landsdowne, Denman
Tour 7: Week 1 (4/11) – Central Western Plains: Nyngan, Coonamble, Tooraweenah, Mendooran
Tour 8: Week 3 (18/11) – Central West: Hargraves, Lue, Ryleston, Ilford, Meadow Flat, Black Springs, Richmond
Tour 9: Week 3 (18/11) – Central West: Woodstock, Cumnock, Trundle, Orange, Spring Hill
Tour 10: Week 3 (18/11) – Southern Tablelands: Bowral, Moss Vale, Glenquarry, Wingello, Crookwell, Boorowa, Marulan, Yass
Tour 11: Week 3 (18/11) – ACT: Cooma, Gowrie, Browning, Deakin, Franklin, Evatt, Coombs
Tour 12: Week 2 (11/11) – Central West: Naradhan, Ardlethan, Hillston, Tallimba, Ariah Park, Cowra
Tour 13: Week 1 (4/11) – Western Riverina: Ellerslie, Culcairn, Walla Walla, Mulwala, Berrigan, Finley, Wakool
SLSNSW is always looking for new presenters. Show your interest and be part of Beach to Bush in the future here.
Monday 4th November 2024