Bondi Rescue’s Hoppo Launches Summer Water Safety Campaign in Moreton Bay 

Guests and fans alike at two Moreton Bay aquatic venues have been treated to a special visit from none other than Bondi Rescue lifeguard Bruce ‘Hoppo’ Hopkins, as he shared an important water safety message ahead of summer. 

In partnership with Australia’s leading swim school, GOswim, Hoppo is spearheading one of the country’s largest water safety initiatives; Float to Survive with GOswim. 

The award-winning campaign returns to equip 60,000 GOswim students with the knowledge to stay afloat in emergency situations. Hoppo’s first stop? Moreton Bay’s Burpengary Regional Aquatic Centre and Lawnton Aquatic Centre. 

The campaign responds to alarming new data from Royal Life Saving Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia, showing a 36% increase in drownings in Queensland compared to the ten-year average. Most victims were male, with the highest fatalities among those aged over 75. Beach-related drowning deaths rose by 62%. 

Hoppo spent the day across the two venues demonstrating his five-step survival technique to classes from infants to older adults to Goswim teachers, reinforcing that drowning can happen to anyone, regardless of swimming ability. 

After Hoppo’s Moreton Bay visit, this initiative will continue to make waves across the country and inform many more of the need to have this essential skill. 

“I’m stoked to have partnered with GOswim to reach tens of thousands of students with this lifesaving message, which is relevant to anyone, in any aquatic situation; whether it is in the surf, creek, river, lake or swimming pool,” Hoppo commented. 

“In the lead up to summer, this is a water safety skill that is non-negotiable, and I’m excited to get out and about across the country to spread this message to help Aussies learn how to stay safe in the water.” 

Cheryl Mclennan, National Aquatic Product Manager at Belgravia Leisure says the return of the campaign couldn’t be more timely. 

“While it’s disheartening to see the Queensland drowning statistics heading in the wrong direction, it’s also a wake-up call. There’s an urgent need for more education around water safety. I’m proud that Float to Survive with GOswim is diving into this challenge to help the next generation be better prepared for aquatic emergencies.” 

For the first two weeks of December, more than 250,000 GOswim lessons across nearly 80 locations will begin with five minutes of float training, based on Hoppo’s five-step Float to Survive strategy: 

1. Keep your head and mouth above water 

2. Control your breathing 

3. Spread your arms and legs for balance 

4. Use a circular motion to maintain buoyancy 

5. Signal for help 

The campaign was recently recognised by the Australian Swim Schools Association (ASSA), winning Gold for Marketing and Communications in Victoria and earning national commendation for boosting children’s water safety knowledge and confidence in open water by 20%. 

GOswim is one of Australia’s leading swimming programs, delivering more than 2.8 million lessons annually to over 62,500 members. 

Watch our coverage of the event here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPLqfL1umcE