During each visit, Hoppo will demonstrate his five-step survival technique and highlight that drowning can happen to anyone, regardless of their swimming ability. Photo: Belgravia Leisure.
With summer approaching and drowning risks on the rise, Bondi Rescue lifeguard Bruce ‘Hoppo’ Hopkins will visit four ACT aquatic venues to deliver an important water safety message.
Hoppo has once again joined forces with Australia’s leading swim school, GOswim, to lead one of the country’s largest water safety initiatives. Following last year’s award-winning campaign, Float to Survive, GOswim is back to teach Australians the essential skills to stay afloat in an emergency.
Across the ACT, fans will be able to meet Hoppo at Gungahlin Leisure Centre, Dickson Leisure Centre, Lakeside Leisure Centre and Stromlo Leisure Centre.
Hoppo’s two-day ACT visit runs from 13 to 14 December, with a mix of demonstrations, student lessons and family activities across the four venues.
During each visit, he will demonstrate his five-step survival technique and highlight that drowning can happen to anyone, regardless of their swimming ability.
Hoppo will be at Gungahlin Leisure Centre on Saturday, 13 December, from 10 am to 1 pm, where he will run a Salti class through the Float to Survive technique, teach GOswim students, and meet guests for photos and certificate signings.
That afternoon, Hoppo will be at Dickson Pool from 2 pm to 5 pm for a Family Day event featuring ACT’s Biggest Float, an in-water Q&A session and more opportunities for photos and certificates.
On Sunday, 14 December, Hoppo will visit Lakeside Leisure Centre from 10 am to 12 pm. The morning will include GOswim lessons, a community BBQ, giveaways, a colouring competition, ACT Fire & Rescue demonstrating advanced first aid and CPR, and a visit from ACT Water Police.
Hoppo’s last stop will be at Stromlo Leisure Centre from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm, featuring Float to Survive sessions for families, followed by an afternoon of face painting, balloons, pool inflatables, outdoor games, a BBQ, and prizes.
New data from Royal Life Saving Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia underscores the urgency of the campaign. National figures for 2023-24 show a total of 357 drowning deaths, with 34 per cent of all drownings occurring in inland waterways.
Following the ACT events, the initiative will continue its national rollout to equip 60,000 GOswim students with emergency flotation skills and raise broader awareness of the importance of this lifesaving technique.
“I’m stoked to have partnered with GOswim to reach tens of thousands of students with this lifesaving message, which is relevant to anyone, in any aquatic situation; whether it is in the surf, creek, river, lake or swimming pool,” Hoppo said.
“In the lead up to summer, this is a water safety skill that is non-negotiable, and I’m excited to get out and about across the country to spread this message to help Aussies learn how to stay safe in the water.”
Bondi Rescue’s Hoppo (centre) with participants in Go Swim’s Float to Survive campaign. Photo: Belgravia Leisure.
Belgravia Leisure National Aquatic Product Manager Cheryl McLennon says the campaign’s return comes at a critical time.
“While it’s disheartening to see drownings still happening across the ACT, it’s also a wake-up call. There’s an urgent need for more education around water safety,” Cheryl says.
“I’m proud that Float to Survive with GOswim is diving into this challenge to help the next generation be better prepared for aquatic emergencies.”
For the first two weeks of December, more than 250,000 GOswim lessons across nearly 80 locations will begin with five minutes of float training, based on Hoppo’s five-step Float to Survive strategy:
- Keep your head and mouth above water
- Control your breathing
- Spread your arms and legs for balance
- Use a circular motion to maintain buoyancy
- Signal for help.
The campaign was recently recognised by the Australian Swim Schools Association (ASSA), winning Gold for Marketing and Communications in Victoria and earning national commendation for increasing children’s water safety knowledge and confidence in open water by 20 per cent.
GOswim is one of Australia’s leading swimming programs, delivering more than 2.8 million lessons annually to over 62,500 members.
Catch Hoppo at the following venues and times:
When: 13 December: Gungahlin Leisure Centre from 10 am to 1 pm and Dickson Pool from 2 pm to 5 pm
14 December: Lakeside Leisure Centre from 10 am to 12 pm and Stromlo Leisure Centre from 12.30 pm to 3.30 pm
Where: ACT Leisure Centres: Gungahlin Leisure Centre, Lakeside Leisure Centre, Stromlo Leisure Centre and Dickson Pool
Cost: Pool entry fee.
