Maroubra Beach, NSW / AUS, (Monday, 22nd, 2023) – Surfing NSW is excited to announce the distribution of state-of-the-art drones and specialised training to NSW Boardriding Clubs, as part of the State Government’s shark mitigation program. Selected clubs will receive free training and drones, allowing them to identify sharks and keep coastal communities safer.
The provision of these drones and training is a significant development in keeping regional surfing communities safe, particularly for not-for-profit clubs that may not have had access to such resources in the past. Surfing NSW is delighted to support these clubs and to help save lives in these communities.
Fifteen NSW Boardriding Clubs have been selected to receive state-of-the-art drones, valued at approximately $6.5k each, and specialised training in 2023. The clubs will receive the “Excluded Category” training, enabling pilots to fly commercially without needing a Remote Pilot Licence.
Two courses will be conducted on both the NSW North and South Coasts. The Northern NSW course will be held on Saturday May 27 & Sunday May 28 at Yamba, and the Southern NSW course will take place from the Central Coast to the NSW south coast on the June 24 & June 25. Additionally, we are running an eight-club trauma course for NSW North and a seven-club trauma course for NSW South.
“We are proud to offer this program to Boardriding Clubs. The distribution of these drones and specialised training will enable these clubs to identify sharks and enhance their ability to keep surfers and beachgoers safe. We believe this initiative will have a significant impact on enhancing the safety of regional surfing communities, and we are excited to be part of it.” Said Matt Lawson Surfing NSW Head of Programs, Boardriders and Surf Schools
Selected clubs will receive specialised and tailored Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) Procedures and an “Excluded” category Remote Pilot License for selected attendees. Australia’s best Boardriders club Byron Bay Boardriders are among the clubs that will receive a drone and undergo the course.
Surfing NSW is proud to provide these resources to selected Boardriding Clubs and is excited about the positive impact they will have in keeping these communities safer.
Over the coming weeks Surfing NSW will also be rolling out free Trauma Training Courses (Bleeding Control in Aquatic Environment) for regional communities. These courses are for the public to join. The first of these three courses will be held at Cabarita Beach, NSW on Wednesday the 24th May before the second course in Yamba, NSW on the 25th May. Before concluding the run of course in Port Kembla, NSW 22 July.
