Garie Beach

What's with Bondi Beach in Australia?

I watch "Baywatch" on the National Geographic Channel quite a bit..it's well done and those lifeguards at Bondi have to be among the world's best, if not THE best.........but, uh.....is this beach for real? Last episode, 3 spinal injuries from the surf tossing people on their heads. A figure was quoted a few shows back of close to 200 near-drowning rescues in a day. (not EVERY day of course) I could go on and on....body injuries, near drownings, undertow, currents, high waves. There's enough danger on this beach to allow a continuous weekly program of the lifeguards in action. My question: Have there been any (many?) fatalities at Bondi? ......and if so, are these "near misses" impressing any responsible party in the local community government? I know the Aussies are pretty tough lads, but, if this program is to be anywhere near believable (and National Geographic is usually pretty factual) seems to me they're really pushing their luck.

Public Comments

1. Most of those people are either really dumb tourists, or they're drunk. And on a hot summer day, there are thousands of people at Bondi, so 200 rescues may seem like a lot, but it's really not too many.
2. I agree with the person above me. I live on the gold coast, and when its a busy day the lifeguards are forever pulling tourists out of the water. A beach like bondi would be PACKED! so its not too far fetched at all.
3. Do you mean Bondi Rescue. Those shows are staged. Tourists are a big problem. Many can barely swim and have never been in the ocean before. I have never been to Bondi because there used to be sewerage problem there. It is full of posers. We have better beaches in Queensland.
4. All our beaches are a risk if you do not use common sense. The programme is made to be dramatic of course. Bondi gets very crowded . I live on The Gold coast and yes there are rescues but if one always swims between the flags and listens to the life guards then the risk is very small. . The life guards tell you keep your feet on the ground. Some people are having such a fun time and are out to impress their mates they go out to far or they have had a drink which leaves them more vunerable There are sharks patrols and if there is danger or the sea becomes to rough then the beach is cleared for swimming. Some days the waves are rough so best for the Surfers . There are thousands of people every day that go out swimming here.Most of them are sensible enough not to get themselves in trouble.
5. of course there have been fatalities - how is this for a one day statistic On 6 February 1938, 5 people drowned and over 250 were rescued after a series of large waves struck the beach and pulled people back into the sea, a day that became known as "Black Sunday" The Beach is for real, the show is for real and the men of Bondi Rescue are definitely for real!
6. mait its too far from mittagong from 'ere