Located in the bustling area of Sydney, Bondi Beach is one of Australia’s most famous beaches and one of the world’s most popular tourist spots. From backpackers to local residents, as many as 40,000 people can visit Bondi in just one day. With that many people on a one kilometer long beach, it’s inevitable that there will be a few mishaps.
Ever since 1913, Bondi Lifeguards have been a vital part of keeping the beach safe. Although there are many warning signs on the beach and designated areas to swim in, some people just can’t take a hint. On average, rescues can range from 10 to 400 in just one week and so imagine how many rescued lives you would witness if you were at Bondi during the summer; when Christmas, New Year, and Australia Day are celebrated.
But not to worry, the boys in blue are always there to save the day!
Thanks to Bondi Rescue, a factual television program about the daily lives of Bondi’s lifeguards, we could now get a glimpse of how it all goes down.
Bondi Rescue takes us through all the crazy summer days on and off the beach. From mass rescues to blue-bottle accidents to shark sightings to bag thieves to missing children and even to dead bodies, the boys have seen them all. Bondi Rescue first aired on Channel Ten Australia in 2006 and currently has over 8 seasons. Cameras are located in the lifeguard tower and are attached to the lifeguards’ surf boards, jet skis, and ATVs. Sometimes, even the camera crew assist in rescuing the public.
Bondi Rescue has been noted as one of the best factual shows on television and has won the Logie Awards for “Most Popular Factual Program” for five consecutive years.
Episodes are aired on National Geographic Adventure, worldwide.
Who are the lifeguards?
During the summertime, there are approximately 36 lifeguards for Bondi but not all are there at the same time. The show focuses on almost all 36 of them and if we were to go through the boys one by one (all of which go by their nicknames on the show), this would turn into a novel.
So here are just a few lifeguards who are mostly seen on the show:
Bondi Rescue isn’t just funny and entertaining, it’s also educational. You will certainly learn a lot about safety and the beach itself.
Here are some lessons I have picked up from watching the show:
- ALWAYS swim between the yellow flags
- Cold water/ice: cure for blue bottle stings.
- Don’t move a person with a suspected spinal injury
- Only knock on the lifeguard tower door if there is a serious emergency.
- When getting rescued, lie face down on the board with your head opposite to the lifeguard’s.
- The green whistle is a very powerful thing.
- Don’t yell out “Shark!” if you are not sure if there is a shark.
- “The Rocks” is notorious for hot teenage boys and injuries.
- No alcohol or drugs on the beach.
- Don’t swim if you can’t swim.
Plus, the lifeguards are all so cute. So why not watch the show?
- Reign Gonzales
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