Study Highlights Surfers' Vital Role in Enhancing Beach Safety in Victoria

A pioneering study conducted by La Trobe University underscores the significant contribution of surfers to maintaining beach safety in Victoria. The research, published recently in the journal Safety Science, analyzed data collected from 562 recreational surfers over a period spanning 2020 to 2023. The findings reveal that surfers frequently assist other beach users—on average, providing safety advice about 11.6 times, delivering first aid in 0.4 instances, and offering water rescue aid approximately 1.1 times per 100 surf sessions. Considering Victoria witnesses over 6.3 million surfings annually, this suggests surfers could collectively be involved in more than 70,000 rescues and nearly 25,500 first aid interventions each year.

This study marks the first attempt to quantify the direct safety actions taken by surfers, giving concrete insight into their impact on water safety. Lead researcher Kiera Staley of La Trobe Business School emphasized, "The results provide an essential estimate of how often and effectively Victorian surfers aid in beach safety efforts." She further highlighted that surfers are a valuable resource, especially in regions where over 95% of Australian beaches lack professional lifeguard supervision, placing more responsibility on bystanders.

While surfers play a crucial role, their rescues often occur in hazardous conditions without the same training or equipment available to professional lifeguards, sometimes putting them at risk themselves. Despite this, a substantial number of surfers—an estimated 740,000 along Australian coastlines—actively contribute to safety at both patrolled and unpatrolled beaches. The study also demonstrated that surfers with first aid or rescue training are more proactive; for instance, those with rescue qualifications delivered safety advice 29% more frequently and provided first aid three times more often than untrained peers.

These findings advocate for expanding free first aid and rescue training programs for surfers, recognizing their potential to support community safety further. Surfers are generally proficient swimmers with good hazard awareness, making them a valuable resource in emergency situations. Surfing Victoria CEO Adam Robertson echoed this sentiment, noting that surfers are often in the water year-round at unpatrolled beaches and possess equipment like surfboards, which can serve as flotation aids during rescues.

Ultimately, the study offers vital insights for future beach safety strategies and highlights the importance of educational initiatives to maximize the lifesaving potential of surfers. Increasing training and awareness can empower more surfers to assist safely, thereby strengthening the safety net for beachgoers across Australia.

source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-surfers-play-crucial-role-beach.html