Over 6,000 youngsters will get a taste of the beach when the 25^th annual Beach to Bush program rolls into towns including Tamworth, Lismore, West Wyalong, Young, Moree, Gunnedah, Narrabri and Canberra.

Turning 25 is a huge milestone and this year’s Beach to Bush is shaping up to be a hugely successful one in the history of the program.

Over the last quarter of a century over 250,000 primary aged students have benefited from a talk from a real life lifesaver, and as families plot their annual coastal visit it is an ideal time to talk about beach safety with summer just around the corner.

Each presentation has been carefully designed to ensure age appropriate lessons are delivered with a wide range of topics covered such as the role of the lifesaver, how to spot a rip current, what to do if you get into trouble at the beach and the different types of marine life that can be found along the coast.

Logistically Beach to Bush is a huge operation.

In 2018 a squad of 14 volunteer presenters from coastal clubs across the state will make the journey.

Over the course of the week they will deliver over 30 presentations and cover approximately 8000 kilometres on the road.

To put that into perspective the actual coastline of NSW is just over 2000 kilometres.

Underscoring the effort to make sure that every student has access to this important information. The smallest school the lifesavers will visit contains just 8 pupils while at the other end of the spectrum Amaroo School in Canberra boasts over 1100 students will also be visited.

Surf Life Saving NSW Beach to Bush spokesperson Mike Anderson said it’s a wonderful opportunity for the volunteer lifesavers to take their passion for the beach on the road.

“It’s a big responsibility as you are often the first interaction these children have with a real lifesaver. A sense of humour and open mind certainly helps as well,” he said

“It’s a chance for our club members to travel and share their love and passion of lifesaving while also helping to spread the message of surf safety to the next generation. Educating all children, regardless of geography is an important part of our strategy to keep the beach going public safe.”

“Beach to Bush has proved to be an effective educational program over many years, and I know it is something that all our volunteer presenters look forward to taking part in each year,” Mr Anderson concluded.

The Beach To Bush Program, supported by Your local club and the Cancer Institute NSW, is the largest and most innovative surf safety education program in Australia, having reached more than 250,000 primary school students since it began in 1994.

2018 Beach To Bush Tour Locations:

Tour 1: Canberra

Tour 2: West Wyalong/Trundle

Tour 3: Young

Tour 4: Western NSW

Tour 5: Tamworth/Narrabri

Tour 6: Lismore

 

Wednesday 14 November 2018