Surfing NSW is proud to be involved in the NSW State Government’s Shark Mitigation Program that is this year distributing expert drones and training to 16 boardrider clubs across the state as a safety and mitigation tool.
As a result representatives from selected clubs are being trained up in drone operations and shark identification by Hover UAV and the NSW DPI.
The training is purpose-designed in conjunction with Surfing NSW and the NSW Government and the volunteer-based boardriding clubs are receiving state-of-the-art drones and training this month.
The government funding has also allowed Surfing NSW to supply specialised first aid trauma kits to all NSW Boardrider clubs, surf schools and high performance coaches, supplemented by specialised trauma training taught by expert trainers at TacMed.
“Surfers are often the first responders in coastal emergencies so this fantastic ground-breaking initiative is helping keep surfing communities safe,” said Surfing NSW CEO Luke Madden.
“We hope to continue this roll out over the coming years to ensure all clubs in the state have access to the technology, training and strategies to keep them and their communities safe,” he said.
Sandon Point Boardriders Club were one of the clubs who participated in the drone training last week.
“Surfing NSW presented our club with a state-of-the art DJI Mavic 3 enterprise drone that will be an invaluable addition to our club,” said the club.
“We’ve just taken part in a two-day excluded category drone training course. We can’t thank enough Surfing NSW enough.
“Matt and Semo from Surfing NSW, Mark and Jarrod from Hover UAV for their efforts in presenting a stellar course over the two days.”
Another club to take part in the drone course was Avoca Boardriders. Club representative Sean Waddell, said the course and content was great and the club is stoked to provide a new level of safety to the community.
“The content provided in the drone course was great,” said Sean.
“With our new drone, we will be flying out pre-competition and during each competition to look out for marine life,” he siad.
“We also think it’s a great too to train the groms to use. It will have multiple uses in our club.”
“The drones add another level of safety to our club operations. Parents are always wary of their young children going for a surf and with this drone and the training provided to us over the weekend we can show that we’re taking every step we can to ensure the safety of all our members and our community,” he said.
Clubs involved in this round of training:
- Kingscliff Boardriders
- Cabarita Boardriders
- Byron bay Boardriders
- Headlanders Bodyboarding Club
- Half Tide Boardriders Evans Head
- Port Macquarie Surfboard Riders Club
- Mid Coast Saltwater Boardriders Inc
- Port Macquarie Bodyboard Association
- Yamba/Angourie Boardriders
- Frazer Park Boardriders
- North Avoca Boardriders
- Avoca Boardriders
- Woonona Boardriders
- Werri Beach Boardriders Club
- Cronulla Girls Boardriders
- NSW High Performance
- NSW Events
- Sandon Point Boardriders
