Hoppo's three life-saving steps

Pictured: Hoppo with students at Albany Creek Leisure Centre learning Float to Survive.

Bondi Rescue star Hoppo has launched Float to Survive, Australia’s largest water safety campaign this year, in Moreton Bay region.

Bruce “Hoppo” Hopkins, the Head Lifeguard at Bondi, was at Albany Creek Leisure Centre yesterday sharing simple steps which could save a life.

Hoppo is spearheading the campaign with Belgravia Leisure, which runs the Albany Creek centre, GOswim Australia and Float to Survive Australia.

Float to Survive aims to equip 60,000 GOswim students with the skills to stay afloat in emergency aquatic situations.

It follows alarming figures from the 2024 National Drowning Report, which shows drownings up 16 per cent in the past year, compared to the 10-year average.

Hoppo, the 2006 Australian Lifeguard of the Year, took dozens of students and adults through floating skills at Albany Creek, saying it was a “really good” session.

“There are a lot of preventative measures, but nothing about what to do in the water,” said Hoppo, 55, who has been head lifeguard at Bondi since 2000.

“I have been a professional lifeguard for 32 years and everyone I have rescued can swim to some degree.

“If they can’t stand up in water, the first thing people tend to do is try to swim fast, perhaps against the flow. People drown when they get exhausted.

“This is a water safety skill that is non-negotiable. The longer you stay afloat … the more chance of rescue.”

This month, 250,000 swim lessons around Australia will start with five minutes of float training, focussing on Hoppo’s three step Float to Survive strategy:

Reach your head back to keep your mouth above water

Keep your mouth soft – don’t clench

Gently rotate your arms and legs in a circle motion

Ellie Earl, who has grown up watching Hoppo on TV reality show Bondi Rescue, said: “Living in Queensland, kids love being in the water.

“So learning how to float and general water safety skills and having swimming lessons is really important.”

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Sarah Podesta, Aquatics Manager at Belgravia Leisure, said: “We are also looking to spread the word to all Aussies, no matter their age, ability, background or circumstance.

“Anyone can drown, but no one should and we believe spreading this message will hands down save lives.”

Royal Life Saving CEO Justin Scarr said the National Drowning Report showed 92 adults aged 65 or older drowned, the largest number ever, making up 28 per cent of the year’s total.

“Additionally, 25 per cent of people were born overseas, including refugees, migrants and international students, underscoring the need for water safety skills to be taught to everyone, not just children,” she said.

“Simple yet essential skills like floating can mean the difference between life and death when someone is caught in a rip, struggling in a river, or simply out of their depth in a pool.”

Hoppo will also be visiting centres in NSW, Victoria and South Australia during November.

For further information visit www.floattosurvive.au and www.goswimaustralia.com.au/float-to-survive/