Surf Life Saving NSW delivers culturally sensitive lifesaver training program

Surf Life Saving NSW has delivered a culturally sensitive lifesaver training program which resulted in a group of Muslim men from the Swim Brothers group completing training for their Bronze Medallions and becoming fully fledged volunteer lifesavers. The training culminated at Wanda Surf Life Saving Club on 31st July.

An MoU was signed between the Swim Brothers group and Surf Life Saving NSW which will see more lifesavers from culturally and linguistically diverse communities train and become surf lifesavers and join clubs throughout NSW in the future.

Swim Brothers was founded by Omar Mahmoud and Feroz Sattar after a group of men from a western Sydney mosque almost drowned in a rip at a remote beach and were saved by off-duty surf lifesavers.

It began as a learn to swim program providing men from diverse communities with culturally-appropriate training – both in the pool and in the surf.

Much of the Surf Life Saving NSW course’s theory and First Aid components were held at Ruth Everuss Pool in Lidcombe, where the Swim Brothers host their training squad, and following a preliminary swim and introduction session at Gunnamatta Bay earlier this year, the course was paused for Ramadan to allow participants to fast and adhere to their faith.

Feroz Sattar advised “all these guys are from culturally diverse backgrounds and had very little swimming ability when they first started. Now they’ve not only met the prerequisite, but they’ve successfully taken that extra step to finish their Bronze Medallion and become surf lifesavers.

Omar Mahmoud added “we’re excited to get out there in the summer and patrol on the beaches. This is an entry point but there is still a lot to learn and we can’t wait to keep progressing. The opportunities are endless now.”

The program outlines the commitment of SLSNSW to deliver programs and support to both Swim Brothers participants and the wider community around beach and water safety, tied in with learn-to-swim lessons with Surf Life Saving NSW Chief Executive, Steve Pearce noting “this has so many benefits for Surf Life Saving and the community more broadly.

“To have seven Muslim men graduate as surf lifesavers is groundbreaking. These members will take water safety messages back to their communities and their families.

“If we can save even one life through this program, then that is something very valuable.”

Image: Swim Brothers Credit: Surf Life Saving NSW