Resources

RIP CURRENT TIME LAPSE

The time lapse video shows how rip currents flow and how prevalent they are.  To spot a rip current, this harmless purple dye is released into the water to give beachgoers a valuable surf safety lesson. Each year up to 25% of beach drowning can be attributed to rip currents, with 80% of beach rescues relating to rip currents.

Photo: The famous Bondi Beach in Sydney turned purple raising awareness of rip currents to beachgoers and tourists

SCIENCE OF THE SURF: TIDES

This educational video describes how tides work. Explaining why the timing of the tides change every day, the formation of the tides and why the tide ranges vary, with Dr Rip telling the fairly complex tidal theory in less than 4 minutes. The North West of Australia has some of the highest tides in the world reaching to 10 metre high.

Image: Tim Scott

SCIENCE OF THE SURF: BEACH SURVIVAL GUIDE

Do you want to enjoy the beach safely this summer? This video created by Dr Rip can tell you his five top tips on how to. Warning you about rip currents, marine wildlife and everything you need to know, to make sure you have the best summer.

Photo: Dr Rip pointing to a rip current in his YouTube video

SURF LIFE SAVING: FLAGS AND SIGNS

The beach is always an active and ever-changing environment meaning it can be unpredictable and dangerous to beachgoers who don’t understand or are unaware of the hazards. This video created by lifeguards, was made for people who are visiting the beach to have an understanding on what’s at risk and the consequences associated. Believe it or not no one has ever drowned swimming between the red and yellow flags in Australia in almost 100 years.

Photo: The most important flags on the beach which are these red and yellow flags

SURF LIFE SAVING: ROCKS AND REEFS

Whether it’s gazing at the rock pools, surfing off the headlands or rock fishing it is vital to stay safe around the rocks and reefs. When offshore reefs regularly break, surfers and fishers often head out to get the best of the action. The Surf Life Saving website explains to all beachgoers about the dangers associated with using the rocks and reefs on our coastlines.

SURF LIFE SAVING: MARINE CREATURES

Being fortunate enough to share the ocean with over 700,000 species of marine wildlife, there are still some cautions that need to be considered, on how to stay clear of the dangerous wildlife.  This website provides information on the creatures that are deadly and how to avoid them. On average 1 person is killed by a shark attack each year compared to over 21 people who drown in rip currents.

Photo: This blue ringed octopus is displaying its blue rings showing a sign of being threatened

BEACH SAFETY: SAFE FISHING

Rock fishing is one of the most dangerous sports on the coastline, therefore it’s important to know the basic safety tips when rock fishing. This website gives you all the tips and resources for a safer recreational rock fishing experience.

Photo:Rock fishing by your self could result to having a serious accident or death.

Website: Safe Fishing

KEEP AUSTRALIA BEAUTIFUL: CLEAN BEACHES

Keep Australia Beautiful holds a program called ‘Clean Beaches’ which proves who actively has the cleanest and more sustainable coastal environment. This program helps support local councils to use their initiatives and to protect the coastal habitat. The Australian Clean Beaches program is sponsored by the Department of the Environment.

INERTIA: NORTH SHORE LIFEGUARDS

Including a quick YouTube video this website shows what the North Shore Lifeguards do to patrol the famous beaches of Hawaii. Like Cronulla, the lifeguards down at North Shore must also eat right and prioritize fitness, like swimming, surfing, mountain biking, trail running and other activities. This is so when duty calls they keep lean and flexible.

Photo: The Lifeguard tower down at the North Shore, Hawaii

PLASTIC PARADISE

Every Single piece of plastic that has ever been created since the 19th century is still somewhere on our planet. So if it never goes away, where does it go? The movie plastic paradise takes a look at the problem facing the world’s oceans and the amount of plastic and waste that we have damaged it with.

Photo: The famous Bondi Beach in Sydney turned purple raising awareness of rip currents to beachgoers and tourists

More Information here >

AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM: BLUEBOTTLES

An unwelcome visitor that blows in from the shallow waters and up onto the beaches of Sydney. The bluebottle can deliver a painful sting with their 2-12cm long tentacles. This website explains in depth the animal species of bluebottles.

Photo: The famous Bondi Beach in Sydney turned purple raising awareness of rip currents to beachgoers and tourists

More Information here >