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Boardies in the boardroom to boost South Australia’s Surf Life Saving funds

If you’re stuck in the office this summer and dreaming of the beach, live out your surf fantasies by busting out the board shorts for the next annual “Boardies Day”.

It’s the one day of the year when wearing your comfiest, trendiest or most hideous board shorts to work or school will not only be allowed, but also applauded.

As part of Australia’s largest volunteer movement, Surf Life Saving clubs across South Australia will be relying on all offices, schools and communities to roll up their fundraising sleeves this summer for the biggest Boardies Day campaign in history.

Held on Friday, February 22, 2013, participants have between now and then to reach Surf Life Saving’s goal of $1 million – a small amount considering that surf lifesavers gave more than one million hours of their own time last year to keep Australian beaches safe.

More than 12,600 people were rescued by surf lifesavers last year. As our dedicated teams head into the busiest period of the year, it’s vital to ensure this iconic part of Australia’s culture remains intact.

“If we could raise one dollar for every hour that our surf lifesavers gave of their own time last year, we’d reach our fundraising goal,” Surf Life Saving SA General Manager Commercial Operations Shane Daw said.

“People expect our volunteers to be there, providing a safe environment for Australians to enjoy beaches and waterways throughout the country.

“What many may not realise is that it costs a lot of money each year to keep our volunteers on our beaches equipped with the gear and training required.”

Every dollar raised counts; a $120 rescue tube was used in 2,927 rescues on Australian beaches last year alone.

The annual fundraiser will next year include “Bosses in Boardies” to entice the corporate sector and competitions to promote mass community involvement.

“We are encouraging bosses to challenge their employees to reach a fundraising target, and if they succeed, the bosses will wear board shorts or beach attire to work on Boardies Day,” Mr Daw said.

Mr Daw said the exciting addition to the organisation’s biggest fundraiser was a good opportunity for businesses to showcase their social awareness while boosting morale in the office.

“Boardies Day is Surf Life Saving’s national “dress down” day which celebrates Australia’s love of summer and helps raise vital funds for Surf Life Saving,” Mr Daw said.

“Another addition to Boardies Day is our photo competition. Following the craze of Instagram we urge people to take photos of their colleagues, their classmates or friends in their boardies. Remember to be as creative as you’d like!”

Online registrations have opened allowing participants to personalise a fundraising page and begin collecting now.

“We encourage anyone participating to begin fundraising now, that way they can relax and enjoy the festivities on Boardies Day,” Mr Daw said.

Mr Daw encouraged communities across the country to maximise their fundraising by planning celebrations including parties with neighbours, pool parties, BBQs and picnics.

“Schools can also get involved through organising ‘inter-class’ competitions where each class is challenged to raise the most money. Schools can win prizes from our website, or the ultimate prize of a visit from Surf Life Saving’s Westpac Helicopter,” he said.

“Businesses can have lots of fun with Bosses in Boardies by throwing a beach themed office party or lunch. Instead of your usual ‘dress-down’ Friday, wear your favourite or daggiest pair of boardies.”

For more information or to register, log onto www.boardiesday.com.au

 

Surf Life Saving’s Fast Facts

  1. 12,610 people were rescued from the surf by our volunteer lifesavers last year.

  2. Surf lifesavers reunited 1,048 lost children with their families at Australian beaches last year.

  3. Surf lifesavers performed 296,741 preventative actions last patrol season.

  4. A $120 rescue tube was used in 2,927 rescues on Australian beaches last year alone.

  5. Surf rescue boards are used by lifesavers all over the country – last year they also saved the lives of 3,094 people.

  6. Surf Life Saving currently has more than 46,900 patrolling members and more than 150,000 members.

  7. Surf lifesavers gave more than 1,000,000 hours of their own time last year to keep Australian beaches safe.

  8. First aid treatments were administered to more than 17,600 beachgoers last patrol season alone.

  9. Did you know that Australia has more than 60,000 kilometres of mainland and island coastline?

  10. 80 percent of all Australians go to the beach at least once a year.

  11. 20 percent of all Australians get into difficulty at the beach.

  12. The cost of gear and equipment to set up just one beach patrol is more than $52,000.

  13. The combined cost of all gear and equipment in Australian Surf Life Saving clubs is in excess of $46million.

  14. It costs a minimum of $850 to train a volunteer surf lifesaver to our minimum standards.

 

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