Powercraft giant marks milestone with significant donation to Surf Life Saving

BRP partnered with Surf Life Saving Australia for more than 15 years © Surf Life Saving Australia

Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) has partnered with Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) for more than 15 years and to mark the milestone, the powercraft giant has made another significant contribution to surf lifesaving around the country.

Since the partnership commenced, more than $10 million worth of BRP 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.

The Sea-Doo provides Surf Life Saving with a versatile, responsive rescue water craft (RWC) 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.

Over the last 15 years, RWCs have been involved in over 23,000 rescues and last season accounted for one in five rescues which surf lifesavers performed.

The Can-Am side-by-side vehicles provide Surf Life Saving with a reliable vehicle to patrol the coast, get essential equipment to people in distress and navigate the beach with ease, able to tackle any challenge.

In addition to these integral vehicles becoming a mainstay on Australian beaches, BRP is providing Surf Life Saving with an additional 5,000 lifejackets, worth more $1 million, to be distributed around the country. These will be used by Surf Life Saving to assist in improving coastal safety to the community.

"Through their long-standing association with SLSA, BRP continues to be a major contributor to coastal safety around the country," 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.

"Last season 1,777 rescues were made using rescue water craft such as the Sea-Doo, with RWCs responsible for more coastal rescues than any other power craft. We now also have more than 1,700 volunteer surf lifesavers who are qualified RWC operators".

Robert Prusinski, BRP APAC Regional General Manager, said that the aligned values of the two organisations allow them to continually move forward together.

"For 15 years, BRP has been proud to stand alongside Surf Life Saving Australia, supporting their vital mission of saving lives," he said. "Our Sea-Doo watercraft and Can-Am side-by-sides, engineered to conquer the toughest conditions, embody the spirit of resilience that drives SLSA's dedicated volunteers.

"It is our greatest honor to contribute to their life saving efforts and we are fully committed to making every Australian beach a safer place for all."