Former Queensland Maroons greats Wally Lewis, Kevin Walters, Gorden Tallis and Trevor Gillmeister have lent their voice to tackling Queenslanders and Australians’ complacency in the surf by starring in Surf Life Saving Queensland’s new summer safety campaign.
SLSQ have partnered with Queensland Rugby League to deliver the vital beach safety message of “She’ll be right, won’t save your life.” The campaign, specifically targeted to men, strongly encourages people to always swim between the red and yellow flags, always swim with a friend, never drink and swim and to be sun safe at the beach.
“She’ll be right, won’t save your life”, speaks to the complacency many Australians have when they visit the beach, with some deciding not to swim between the flags.
In the 2019/20 season 1,819 Australians were rescued while swimming outside the red and yellow flags at Queensland beaches.
Five of the eleven beach-related drowning deaths that occurred in Queensland were Australian men over the age of 50.
SLSQ CEO Dave Whimpey said the organisation is excited to partner with the Maroons to deliver lifesaving surf safety advice.
“We have seen men over the age of 50 getting into trouble at our beaches by swimming alone before patrol hours and not swimming between our red and yellow flags,” Whimpey said.
“Although we think we know the surf, we cannot afford to be complacent on our beaches as the ocean does not discriminate.
“The Queensland Maroons legends are respected and we know Queenslanders will listen to their advice.
“If volunteer surf lifesavers or lifeguards cannot see you, they cannot rescue you and that is why it is so important to only swim between the red and yellow flags.”
QRL Chief Operating Officer Rohan Sawyer said the Queensland Rugby League is thrilled to partner with Surf Life Saving Queensland.
“Queenslanders love their rugby league and the surf, so it’s a great opportunity for us to get behind the initiative, particularly while our Maroons are preparing for a unique end of year series in the warmer months,” Sawyer said.
“Some of our greatest Maroons have strong ties to Surf Life Saving Queensland and it’s really important that everyone who is planning a trip to the beach takes on board these key safety messages.”
Wally Lewis is managed exclusively by The Fordham Company.