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Surf Education is a real lifesaver at St Philip Neri Northbridge

 

A St Philip Neri Catholic School student recently had a close call in the surf and used skills she had learnt at the school’s Surf Education program to survive.

Whilst swimming with her family at The Entrance beach, Liah was caught in a strong rip and was quickly being carried out to sea and into the path of a submerged concrete wall.  In front of her worried parents, she was rescued by lifesavers with one lifesaver sustaining cuts and Liah a bump to the head, from the concrete wall they collided with.

The outcome could have been far worse if it was not for Liah using her newfound skills from her school’s Surf Education Program, said Liah’s mother in an email to St Philip Neri Catholic School, Northbridge, “Liah stayed ‘perfectly calm’ (although terrified) and floated with the Rip, as she
was taught to do….. thanks to the “Surf Ed ”program. Please, keep this program going. The only reason Liah didn't drown or panic that day, was because of what she was taught, at ‘Surf Ed’, a few weeks ago.”

Years 3-6 St Philip Neri students had only recently participated in a six hour ‘Surf Awareness & Surf Skills’ program at Shelley Beach, Manly organised by former Australian Ironman Craig Riddington.  Increasing surf safety awareness and boosting their confidence in the surf, the children experienced basic wading & surf negotiation, running safely on the ocean floor and diving safely using the bottom to advantage.

St Philip Neri Principal Sue Bevan gave thanks that Liah was safe and well and assured the school community that surf education lessons would continue, “We are extremely grateful that Liah was able to implement what she had learnt at her Surf Education lessons to ensure her well-being.   I can assure you that we will be maintaining this program at St. Philip Neri.”

“As educators one of our goals whilst working in partnership with parents is to prepare children for the world in which they live. We always hope that we provide them with the necessary skills to survive and make a valuable contribution to society.”