Shane Gould supports Sandon Point Surf Club in promotion of anti-drowning floating initiative

Committed to water safety and education in her post elite swimming career, Dr Shane Gould has today backed the Sandon Point Surf Club in its initiative to promote the Float to Survive campaign.

Dr Gould, one of Australia’s greatest swimmers who holds a PhD related to a study of swimming culture in Australia and who is an Ambassador for the Float to Survive campaign, has today been at the Sandon Point club in the NSW Illawarra to promote the advantages of floating when swimmers are in difficulties in the ocean.

Speaking in advance of her visit, Dr Gould stated “I’m thrilled to be coming to Wollongong as the Ambassador of Float to Survive.

“This is a great campaign being run by Sandon Point Surf Club and one l believe in.

“If we are ever going to reduce drownings, people have to understand the importance of floating. “Knowing why you must float and how to float is vital as it gives you the best chance of survival in deep water.

“I practise floating every time l swim.”

Six years ago, Ken Holloway, President of Sandon Point SLSC, was asked by members of our CALD communities if there was another water safety message than ‘swim between the flags’.

CALD community representatives told Holloway that the red and yellow flags seen at patrolled beaches sometimes misinterpreted, while people swimming at locations like pools, dams and rivers also need safety messages.

Explaining that research shows when people unexpectedly find themselves in deep water, the ‘fight or flight’ reaction takes over, Holloway advised “people struggle using vital energy.

“Drowning can occur in as little as 20 seconds (so) if a victim can resist their natural instinct to struggle and simply float, they have a much greater chance of survival.”

Float to Survive Illawarra is an evidence based drowning prevention message, made possible by support from the IMB Bank Foundation. This support will allow Sandon Point Surf Club and Northern Stars Swim School to provide free ocean safety and floating lessons as well as advertising this simple but effective message which will save lives.

Competing at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games at the age of 15, Shane Gould won five individual medals - more than any other female Australian Athlete had ever won.

Completing her PhD from the University of Victoria in 2019 with an academic study of swimming culture and how it represents Australia, Dr Gould is well placed to comment on water safety.

Image: Sandon Point Surf Club. Credit: Sandon Point Surf Club.