By Surf Life Saving Australia
After a three-year break, Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) is excited to be sending six surf lifesavers to Japan for a Lifesaver Exchange Program in partnership with the Japan Lifesaving Association (JLA). This includes Angus Higgins from Seacliff Surf Life Saving Club in South Australia.
The partnership between JLA and SLSA was established in 2007 and has seen many successful exchanges, with participants broadening their scope of lifesaving beyond Australian beaches and helping to enhance local safety management and prevent drowning on Japanese beaches.
Past Japan Lifesaving Exchange Program participant Tyla Cousins (Goolwa SLSC) found the program to be incredibly rewarding and enjoyable.
“The Japan Lifesaving Exchange was an amazing experience where we had the opportunity to share knowledge and skills with patrolling groups and help run the children’s water safety program,” she said.
“It was an exciting and intense four weeks where we got to learn about the similarities and differences in how we try to meet the same mission of zero preventable drownings.
“I left feeling inspired to continue the work and development at my club, and it really cemented my passion within the movement.”
There are two programs on offer this year that will see surf lifesavers assist with educating Japanese junior high school students with basic skills for water safety and survival or to join patrol activities at local surf lifesaving clubs in the Izu Peninsula.
Ms Cousins currently resides in Japan and is excited for the 2024 Program participants and their upcoming experiences.
“Having the chance to be absorbed in lifesaving and the sharing and learning that comes with connecting through it with another country is amazing,” she said.
“Be ready for some things to be different and have a go at learning some key phrases as they appreciate the effort. But we all figured it out in the end.
“It’ll be hot and humid, but it’s a great time with lots of great people.”
Surf Life Saving Australia had an overwhelming response to the program with 66 worthy candidates putting their names forward.
Congratulations to all the participants selected to head to Japan this year.
2024 Japan Exchange Program Participants
Program 1: Iwai Seaside Camps (25 days): 20 July – 13 August 2024
Amity Clark - VIC, Waratah Beach SLSC
Angus Higgins - SA, Seacliff SLSC
Tom Barrett - QLD, Maroochydore SLSC
Robert Matthews - VIC, Port Campbell SLSC
Program 2: Beach Patrol – Izu Peninsula (5 days): between 7 – 11 August 2024
Calden Lyons - VIC, Apollo Bay SLSC
Elise Stallard - WA, Coogee Beach SLSC