Powercraft giant keeping Australian beaches safe

Powercraft giant keeping Australian beaches safe © Sea-Doo

From humble beginnings in 1907, the Surf Life Saving movement in Australia has grown to become an iconic organisation comprising over 190,000 members, all committed to keeping the beach-going public safe. It is now one of the largest volunteer emergency services groups anywhere in the world.

While the original surf lifesavers had little more than their own skill and determination to help those in trouble, Surf Life Saving has continued to move with the times and allow technology to advance its ability to save lives. This has included traditional patrolling from the beach to the use of rescue watercraft, and even our eyes in the sky, the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopters and drones in use today.

Since 2009, Surf Life Saving Australia's partnership with Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) has made a difference to countless families with their equipment allowing surf lifesavers to save thousands of lives.

Since the partnership commenced, more than $6.9 million worth of equipment has been provided to clubs and branches as well as the state and territory bodies, much of it via the annual BRP Equipment Grants.

Sea-Doo provides Surf Life Saving with a versatile, responsive rescue water craft that has become a key tool in patrolling the vast coastline and responding quickly in times of need to perform rescues in difficult-to-reach locations.

Can-Am Defenders are a reliable, dependable vehicle which allows surf lifesavers to move across the beach with ease and respond to incidents with essential lifesaving equipment.

The partnership with BRP has enabled Surf Life Saving to be better equipped to respond in times of need by ensuring volunteers on the front line have the right equipment to save lives.

"Like Surf Life Saving, BRP is constantly challenging itself in the area of innovation, and the new technologies they bring to the beach have a direct positive impact on our ability to protect and save lives," said SLSA CEO Adam Weir.

"Surf Life Saving exists to save lives, create great Australians and build better communities, the support of BRP helps us to achieve our mission.

"Powercraft suited to recreation doesn't always have the durability and functionality to be successfully used to save lives in a coast environment. BRP equipment allows surf lifesavers to be better equipped to respond in times of need, and in doing so, its equipment is a critical part of the iconic surf lifesaving patrols, and used by volunteer surf lifesavers around the country.

With around two-thirds of all rescues taking place outside the red and yellow flags, the importance of agile, fast watercraft is as important as ever to perform rescues, save lives, keep families whole which ensures a safer environment for the beach-going public.