Next month, lifeguards from the City of Gold Coast will take their expertise to Japan’s Kanagawa Prefecture, one of the busiest beach destinations in the country.
As part of a longstanding exchange program, five Gold Coast Lifeguard Services members will visit Kanagawa from July 22 to 30 to collaborate with their Japanese counterparts on surf safety, rescue techniques, resuscitation, and surveillance technology.
This initiative is aimed at establishing Kanagawa’s first professional lifeguard service, a significant milestone for the region.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate emphasised the importance of this exchange as part of the Friendship Agreement between the two regions, which share a similar beach culture.
“Our Lifeguard Exchange Program is the City’s longest-running Friendship Program and offers incredibly valuable experience for lifeguards in both countries due to our similar lifestyles,” Mayor Tate said.
“This trip is particularly exciting as our lifeguards will be helping set up a permanent, year-round lifeguard service in Kanagawa, something that has never been done before.”
The Lifeguard Exchange Program, which began in 1995, has resumed after a three-year hiatus from 2020 to 2022.
Last November, the program saw eight Japanese lifeguards visiting the Gold Coast, marking the first exchange since the break. This year, the Gold Coast lifeguards’ visit will further strengthen ties and enhance the safety practices on both coasts.
Jim Dixon, the City Lifeguard Manager, highlighted the learning opportunities for his team, particularly in dealing with larger crowds and understanding cultural differences. “Kanagawa Prefecture has a population of around 9 million people, so when you add the number of visitors, the volume of beachgoers is much larger than what our lifeguards typically handle,” Dixon explained.
“The visit will not only provide valuable support to Kanagawa but also give our lifeguards experience with managing larger crowds and gaining a deeper understanding of Japanese culture.”
Gold Coast beaches, which attract more than 20 million visitors annually, experience daily crowds of 50,000 to 200,000 people across 43 patrolled beaches during peak periods.
As the local population continues to grow, these numbers are expected to increase, underscoring the importance of effective lifeguard services and international cooperation in surf safety.
The exchange program continues to play a crucial role in educating beachgoers and enhancing the skills of lifeguards in both regions, ensuring safer beach environments for all.
News and image source: City of Gold Coast website
