1 00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:03,680 NARRATOR: On Bondi Rescue... 2 00:00:03,680 --> 00:00:06,880 seconds can make the difference between life and death. 3 00:00:08,040 --> 00:00:10,840 Thought I had a bit more time. He was in a bad way. 4 00:00:13,120 --> 00:00:14,840 Bondi's biggest party. 5 00:00:14,840 --> 00:00:17,240 (REVELLERS CHEER, CALL OUT) 6 00:00:17,240 --> 00:00:20,520 We haven't done anything like this at night before, lifeguarding. 7 00:00:21,520 --> 00:00:24,160 And Hoppo celebrates a milestone. 8 00:00:24,160 --> 00:00:26,680 Thanks, guys. See how many more years I can go. 9 00:00:26,680 --> 00:00:28,560 (ALL CHEER) 10 00:00:30,320 --> 00:00:32,440 (HELICOPTER ROTORS WHIRR) 11 00:00:32,440 --> 00:00:35,360 # Take me back to the The sweet times 12 00:00:35,360 --> 00:00:37,200 # The hot nights 13 00:00:37,200 --> 00:00:39,160 # Everything's gonna be alright 14 00:00:39,160 --> 00:00:41,200 # In the summertime 15 00:00:41,200 --> 00:00:43,560 # Baby, in the summertime 16 00:00:43,560 --> 00:00:45,920 # That is where I'll be... # 17 00:00:59,440 --> 00:01:01,520 MAN: What an incredible way to start your day. 18 00:01:01,520 --> 00:01:03,560 As the sun's rising, 19 00:01:03,560 --> 00:01:05,760 you can't help but be inspired. 20 00:01:05,760 --> 00:01:07,920 It's a very magical, magical place in the morning. 21 00:01:09,600 --> 00:01:13,920 It's about starting the day grounding yourself in nature. 22 00:01:13,920 --> 00:01:17,240 People exercising, jogging, 23 00:01:17,240 --> 00:01:19,120 swimming, 24 00:01:19,120 --> 00:01:21,960 paddling, surfing, 25 00:01:21,960 --> 00:01:24,600 meditating and doing yoga. 26 00:01:25,880 --> 00:01:28,320 You could almost set your watch by who's doing what. 27 00:01:30,480 --> 00:01:32,360 There's a good vibe in the air. 28 00:01:32,360 --> 00:01:34,120 People are happy to be here. 29 00:01:36,360 --> 00:01:38,400 Bondi is the best wellness centre on earth 30 00:01:38,400 --> 00:01:40,120 and you don't have to pay to use it. 31 00:01:45,480 --> 00:01:50,560 On the next inhale, we'll breathe in, two, three, four 32 00:01:50,560 --> 00:01:52,480 and then we'll breathe out for five - 33 00:01:52,480 --> 00:01:55,560 two, three, four, five, 34 00:01:55,560 --> 00:01:57,560 then there'll be a one-second pause. 35 00:01:57,560 --> 00:02:00,400 Lifeguards have their own stresses to manage. 36 00:02:01,400 --> 00:02:05,000 Lifeguard Dean Gladstone is also a breathing coach 37 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:07,280 and teaches the Wim Hof technique. 38 00:02:07,280 --> 00:02:10,000 Slow breathing - this is where the body affects the mind. 39 00:02:11,000 --> 00:02:13,480 'Cause you're telling your body that you're OK 40 00:02:13,480 --> 00:02:15,280 by deliberately breathing slow 41 00:02:15,280 --> 00:02:19,480 and that lets your mind know that you're not in a stressful situation. 42 00:02:20,480 --> 00:02:22,000 Lifeguards go through 43 00:02:22,000 --> 00:02:24,120 so many different traumatic situations down here. 44 00:02:25,760 --> 00:02:28,920 Days earlier, lifeguards resuscitated an infant 45 00:02:28,920 --> 00:02:30,960 that was clinically dead. 46 00:02:32,000 --> 00:02:35,440 When you're in a traumatic situation and you don't remain calm, 47 00:02:35,440 --> 00:02:38,120 your thought train goes completely out the window. 48 00:02:39,120 --> 00:02:42,840 As I was oxygenating the baby, I was actually oxygenating myself, 49 00:02:42,840 --> 00:02:44,840 to calm myself down, 50 00:02:44,840 --> 00:02:47,840 to deliver an outcome that is successful and positive. 51 00:02:47,840 --> 00:02:50,960 Mate, lifeless baby. Poor thing. That was gnarly. 52 00:02:50,960 --> 00:02:54,440 Lifeguarding is a career now for a lot of us 53 00:02:54,440 --> 00:02:57,360 and you want to stay present, relevant, fit. 54 00:02:57,360 --> 00:03:00,400 It's important we start looking after ourselves a little bit better. 55 00:03:05,200 --> 00:03:07,640 A classic summer Sunday. 56 00:03:08,800 --> 00:03:11,960 Thousands have flocked to the beach. 57 00:03:11,960 --> 00:03:15,520 I love Bondi lifeguards! 58 00:03:15,520 --> 00:03:17,240 (WOMEN CHEER) 59 00:03:23,160 --> 00:03:25,680 But a solid southerly swell 60 00:03:25,680 --> 00:03:28,000 has lifeguards on edge. 61 00:03:28,000 --> 00:03:31,000 When Bondi gets to 3, 4 foot, 62 00:03:31,000 --> 00:03:33,080 it starts to get really dangerous. 63 00:03:33,080 --> 00:03:35,440 This is a non-swimming area. 64 00:03:35,440 --> 00:03:39,320 South Bondi in particular, on this day, is super dangerous. 65 00:03:39,320 --> 00:03:41,600 Three or four big rips. 66 00:03:41,600 --> 00:03:44,720 It was just a matter of time and when it was gonna pop off. 67 00:03:44,720 --> 00:03:47,440 As the tide drops, 68 00:03:47,440 --> 00:03:49,680 Chappo's prediction proved correct. 69 00:03:49,680 --> 00:03:51,680 But then there's another one. There's another one. 70 00:03:51,680 --> 00:03:54,400 Lifeguards perform multiple rescues. 71 00:03:55,600 --> 00:03:59,880 I just got caught in the current - I'm moving my arms but... 72 00:03:59,880 --> 00:04:02,000 I'm not getting any closer. 73 00:04:02,000 --> 00:04:06,680 Brocky is rescuing a surfer from the south corner. 74 00:04:06,680 --> 00:04:08,640 This is a dangerous area. 75 00:04:08,640 --> 00:04:10,760 We've been doing a few rescues here. 76 00:04:19,480 --> 00:04:21,680 To try and prevent tragedy, 77 00:04:21,680 --> 00:04:25,560 Chappo stands guard at the notorious Backpackers rip. 78 00:04:25,560 --> 00:04:29,000 You try and manage it with a megaphone as best as you can, 79 00:04:29,000 --> 00:04:31,840 by talking to them, giving warnings. 80 00:04:34,800 --> 00:04:38,200 Inevitably, someone will slip off the back 81 00:04:38,200 --> 00:04:40,080 and they're in trouble. 82 00:04:40,080 --> 00:04:44,360 Three swimmers caught in a rip struggle to get back to shore. 83 00:05:05,000 --> 00:05:08,480 My plan is to rescue all the three people. 84 00:05:08,480 --> 00:05:11,640 If I need back-up, I'll either wave or get someone's attention 85 00:05:11,640 --> 00:05:14,520 or the tower will realise and send somebody else down. 86 00:05:15,880 --> 00:05:17,880 It's hard to bring three people in. 87 00:05:17,880 --> 00:05:19,600 It's almost impossible. 88 00:05:24,200 --> 00:05:26,560 Arriving at the first patient, 89 00:05:26,560 --> 00:05:28,320 Chappo makes a critical decision. 90 00:05:33,160 --> 00:05:35,440 When the man indicates he's OK, 91 00:05:35,440 --> 00:05:39,520 Chappo decides the swimmer furthest out is in the most danger. 92 00:05:51,400 --> 00:05:53,360 Chappo's got a girl, it seems. 93 00:05:54,800 --> 00:05:57,840 With the young woman safely on board, 94 00:05:57,840 --> 00:06:00,000 the two men still need rescuing. 95 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:02,640 Thought I had a bit more time but when I got back, 96 00:06:02,640 --> 00:06:05,040 one was in a bad way. 97 00:06:10,760 --> 00:06:12,480 I'm sorry. You're right. 98 00:06:14,480 --> 00:06:18,680 Chappo attempts to rescue three swimmers caught in a rip. 99 00:06:21,240 --> 00:06:23,320 After rescuing a young woman... 100 00:06:24,400 --> 00:06:26,600 ..two men remain in trouble. 101 00:06:29,760 --> 00:06:32,160 Well, he can't get to the other two - that's the problem. 102 00:06:32,160 --> 00:06:35,120 One signals the other needs urgent help. 103 00:06:39,440 --> 00:06:41,160 When I got there, 104 00:06:41,160 --> 00:06:43,400 he was in a lot worse way than he was when I left him. 105 00:06:43,400 --> 00:06:45,240 He was in a bad way. 106 00:06:45,240 --> 00:06:47,360 I didn't expect him to go downhill so quickly. 107 00:06:47,360 --> 00:06:48,920 I thought I had a bit more time 108 00:06:48,920 --> 00:06:51,080 but when I got back there, I was like, "Oh... 109 00:06:51,080 --> 00:06:52,680 "this guy needs real help." 110 00:06:56,080 --> 00:06:59,000 A volunteer lifesaver joins the rescue. 111 00:07:09,080 --> 00:07:13,000 The volunteer lifesaver rescues the man in most trouble. 112 00:07:15,640 --> 00:07:18,440 Chappo decides the second man, in goggles, 113 00:07:18,440 --> 00:07:20,840 can make it back to safety on his own. 114 00:07:20,840 --> 00:07:23,200 He looked like a swimmer - he had his goggles on, 115 00:07:23,200 --> 00:07:24,840 so I thought he was gonna be OK. 116 00:07:25,920 --> 00:07:29,640 Rough conditions make the rescues extremely difficult. 117 00:07:29,640 --> 00:07:32,000 You know, you get the patient on the board and... 118 00:07:32,000 --> 00:07:34,240 you're getting hit by waves. 119 00:07:34,240 --> 00:07:36,400 It's very easy to roll. 120 00:07:36,400 --> 00:07:38,440 MAN: No. No, you're right. 121 00:08:01,040 --> 00:08:03,360 Nah, good. 122 00:08:03,360 --> 00:08:06,040 It's Leah's first time at Bondi 123 00:08:06,040 --> 00:08:08,920 and her first time stuck in a rip. 124 00:08:12,720 --> 00:08:15,640 While Leah is safely ashore, 125 00:08:15,640 --> 00:08:19,000 Chappo realises he's needed back in the water. 126 00:08:21,920 --> 00:08:26,400 The volunteer lifesaver struggles to bring in his patient. 127 00:08:28,000 --> 00:08:30,800 The second man has been unable to make it to shore. 128 00:08:31,840 --> 00:08:34,440 I think he thought he could handle our ocean 129 00:08:34,440 --> 00:08:37,880 but the rip was too strong and he was now in trouble. 130 00:08:41,520 --> 00:08:43,640 A surfer has come to the rescue. 131 00:08:45,640 --> 00:08:48,280 When there's waves and, you know, a lot of water moving, 132 00:08:48,280 --> 00:08:50,680 sometimes just doesn't go smoothly. 133 00:08:51,800 --> 00:08:55,200 Relentless waves complicate the rescue. 134 00:08:57,600 --> 00:08:59,560 Over we go. 135 00:09:14,040 --> 00:09:16,520 After 10 minutes of chaos, 136 00:09:16,520 --> 00:09:20,640 Chappo finally gets the last patient back to shore. 137 00:09:22,520 --> 00:09:24,640 Troy is Canadian, 138 00:09:24,640 --> 00:09:26,320 living in Bondi. 139 00:09:26,320 --> 00:09:29,520 He was no match for the conditions. 140 00:09:29,520 --> 00:09:31,240 I'm a pretty good swimmer but... 141 00:09:32,240 --> 00:09:34,200 ..this is just next-level. 142 00:09:35,320 --> 00:09:37,480 The current here in Australia is one of a kind. 143 00:09:37,480 --> 00:09:39,520 I never experienced anything like it before. 144 00:09:39,520 --> 00:09:42,480 But it's 25-year-old student Aresh 145 00:09:42,480 --> 00:09:44,360 who was closest to drowning. 146 00:09:44,360 --> 00:09:46,080 Do you want me to give you some oxygen? 147 00:09:46,080 --> 00:09:47,920 For a little while? That might help. 148 00:09:51,920 --> 00:09:53,840 Yeah, that's most probably a good thing to do 149 00:09:53,840 --> 00:09:56,240 but what I'll do is, I've got some oxygen that I can have on... 150 00:09:57,360 --> 00:10:00,240 Aresh has swallowed seawater. 151 00:10:00,240 --> 00:10:04,560 He may also have ingested water into his lungs. 152 00:10:04,560 --> 00:10:07,280 You've gotta treat it pretty seriously. 153 00:10:07,280 --> 00:10:09,440 Kind of think, Do we need an ambulance? 154 00:10:11,560 --> 00:10:13,440 Yeah. Is that it? Uh... 155 00:10:13,440 --> 00:10:15,120 Do you feel light-headed? Yeah. 156 00:10:15,120 --> 00:10:17,840 I gave him oxygen and he was in quite a bad way. 157 00:10:17,840 --> 00:10:20,920 It took him a long time to get back to normal. 158 00:10:29,400 --> 00:10:31,040 You right, mate? Yeah. 159 00:10:31,040 --> 00:10:33,240 OK. Good. Thank you. 160 00:10:33,240 --> 00:10:35,720 Three swimmers back on shore. 161 00:10:35,720 --> 00:10:38,000 Three lives saved. 162 00:10:38,000 --> 00:10:39,480 Wow. 163 00:10:39,480 --> 00:10:42,960 Everyone in this area - hey, guys. Out of the water. 164 00:10:42,960 --> 00:10:45,480 Our safe area's at the other end of the beach. 165 00:10:45,480 --> 00:10:47,040 This end is not safe. 166 00:10:48,600 --> 00:10:50,520 I gotta lie down. 167 00:10:58,200 --> 00:11:02,080 Bondi is a non-stop playground. 168 00:11:02,080 --> 00:11:07,000 Now it's about to host the biggest party the beach has ever seen. 169 00:11:12,320 --> 00:11:14,200 As a lovely local lady, 170 00:11:14,200 --> 00:11:19,400 I'd love to wish everyone a very big welcome to World Pride 2023, 171 00:11:19,400 --> 00:11:21,880 here at the gorgeous Bondi Beach. 172 00:11:25,920 --> 00:11:28,640 REVELLERS: Happy World Pride! 173 00:11:30,000 --> 00:11:33,000 World Pride event was held in Sydney over two weeks. 174 00:11:33,000 --> 00:11:34,600 Lot of activities and parties 175 00:11:34,600 --> 00:11:36,960 and the last event, to kind of tie everything up, 176 00:11:36,960 --> 00:11:38,760 was held at Bondi Beach. 177 00:11:40,040 --> 00:11:43,680 Welcome to World Pride at Bondi Beach! 178 00:11:46,960 --> 00:11:50,560 The lifeguard shift normally ends at 7:00pm 179 00:11:50,560 --> 00:11:54,400 but with thousands of revellers partying into the night, 180 00:11:54,400 --> 00:11:57,880 the first-ever late shift has come on duty. 181 00:11:57,880 --> 00:12:00,240 MAN: We've got about seven of us down here now 182 00:12:00,240 --> 00:12:02,000 just to oversee the beach. 183 00:12:02,000 --> 00:12:04,200 So, there's a few of us spread from north to south 184 00:12:04,200 --> 00:12:05,880 and the middle of the beach, 185 00:12:05,880 --> 00:12:07,720 so we'll rotate throughout the night 186 00:12:07,720 --> 00:12:09,960 and make sure that, uh, everyone stays safe. 187 00:12:09,960 --> 00:12:12,200 (DISCO MUSIC) 188 00:12:14,000 --> 00:12:16,680 15,000 party-goers - 189 00:12:16,680 --> 00:12:19,040 some alcohol- and drug-affected - 190 00:12:19,040 --> 00:12:23,440 all partying at a notoriously dangerous beach. 191 00:12:23,440 --> 00:12:26,240 It's a potentially lethal mix. 192 00:12:27,280 --> 00:12:30,440 Lifeguards have gone undercover. 193 00:12:30,440 --> 00:12:31,920 We're not in uniform, 194 00:12:31,920 --> 00:12:34,000 because we didn't want to be out on the beach in uniform, 195 00:12:34,000 --> 00:12:35,520 'cause it'd keep people out there, 196 00:12:35,520 --> 00:12:37,440 wanting to go swimming if they know we're still around, 197 00:12:37,440 --> 00:12:39,280 so we're in plain clothes. 198 00:12:42,720 --> 00:12:44,400 Yeah? Canada! 199 00:12:44,400 --> 00:12:47,200 (REVELLERS CALL OUT) 200 00:12:55,000 --> 00:12:59,480 The safety strategy is to keep party-goers out of the water. 201 00:13:01,120 --> 00:13:02,640 Everyone's having a good time. 202 00:13:02,640 --> 00:13:05,040 Everyone's been doing, you know, the right thing 203 00:13:05,040 --> 00:13:08,000 but three key blokes here, keen to get wet if we need to. 204 00:13:08,000 --> 00:13:09,880 It's 24 degrees too, so... 205 00:13:09,880 --> 00:13:11,520 Yes. Beautiful. 206 00:13:14,440 --> 00:13:19,360 It's the first time lifeguards have patrolled Bondi after dark. 207 00:13:19,360 --> 00:13:22,040 If someone was to jump in the water and get stuck in a rip, 208 00:13:22,040 --> 00:13:25,600 the challenges were - a lot of it would be second-hand information. 209 00:13:25,600 --> 00:13:27,440 So if there was a police officer, 210 00:13:27,440 --> 00:13:29,080 or someone came and said, 211 00:13:29,080 --> 00:13:31,680 "Hey, my friend just got stuck in a rip - they're yelling out for help," 212 00:13:31,680 --> 00:13:33,960 it could be 2, 3, 5 minutes after the fact. 213 00:13:33,960 --> 00:13:36,040 The worst-case scenario is someone drowns. 214 00:13:36,040 --> 00:13:37,720 We'd have to call in the PolAir 215 00:13:37,720 --> 00:13:40,240 to do their searches and look for a missing person. 216 00:13:40,240 --> 00:13:42,440 Wouldn't be a good night for anyone. 217 00:13:46,960 --> 00:13:50,160 15,000 revellers have descended on Bondi 218 00:13:50,160 --> 00:13:54,160 to celebrate the World Pride Beach Party. 219 00:13:54,160 --> 00:13:56,840 Lifeguards patrol Bondi after dark, 220 00:13:56,840 --> 00:13:59,760 to keep party-goers out of the water. 221 00:13:59,760 --> 00:14:01,760 Two down there. There's another one here. 222 00:14:03,240 --> 00:14:05,000 Yeah, the ocean's a little bit scary tonight, 223 00:14:05,000 --> 00:14:06,920 'cause you can't see much but, um... 224 00:14:06,920 --> 00:14:10,240 We're quite lucky tonight - the moon's out, it's a clear night. 225 00:14:11,720 --> 00:14:14,240 Our plan and strategy to keep people out of the water 226 00:14:14,240 --> 00:14:17,240 was using a spotlight, or we would yell out to them, 227 00:14:17,240 --> 00:14:20,200 explain to them that it is very dangerous tonight 228 00:14:20,200 --> 00:14:22,680 and we're not here to watch over your swim - 229 00:14:22,680 --> 00:14:24,680 we're here to prevent you from swimming. 230 00:14:24,680 --> 00:14:26,160 Are we on Bondi Rescue? 231 00:14:27,280 --> 00:14:29,120 A few people kept swimming anyway 232 00:14:29,120 --> 00:14:30,880 but they did stay up to their knees and their waist 233 00:14:30,880 --> 00:14:33,880 and we stayed in that position until they were out of the water. 234 00:14:33,880 --> 00:14:36,240 Are they serious? No, they're right as. 235 00:14:36,240 --> 00:14:38,480 Another one in the sea. 236 00:14:38,480 --> 00:14:42,000 Never done anything like this at night before, lifeguarding. 237 00:14:42,000 --> 00:14:44,920 It's not like your typical day in sunlight, you know? 238 00:14:44,920 --> 00:14:46,640 In the darkness, you can't see much. 239 00:14:46,640 --> 00:14:49,120 WOMAN: Happy Pride! MAN: Happy Pride! 240 00:14:49,120 --> 00:14:51,200 Oh, it was amazing. The best time. It was an amazing time. 241 00:14:51,200 --> 00:14:52,840 The Pussycat Dolls are incredible. 242 00:14:52,840 --> 00:14:54,480 Well, Nicole, anyway. 243 00:14:54,480 --> 00:14:57,520 Yeah, no, it just...it's a good time all round. Lots of love. 244 00:14:57,520 --> 00:14:59,360 Time for a little relax on the beach? 245 00:14:59,360 --> 00:15:01,040 Heaps of fun. Yeah. 246 00:15:01,040 --> 00:15:02,800 Bit of debrief. Time for a bit of a chill-out. 247 00:15:02,800 --> 00:15:04,840 You know, a bit of a debrief and then we'll go to kick-ons. 248 00:15:04,840 --> 00:15:06,600 Thank you. 249 00:15:10,440 --> 00:15:12,080 As the party winds up, 250 00:15:12,080 --> 00:15:15,240 the strategy has gone exactly to plan. 251 00:15:17,080 --> 00:15:19,600 We were incident-free - how good's that? 252 00:15:19,600 --> 00:15:21,720 Good planning, good incident management 253 00:15:21,720 --> 00:15:23,320 and no issues. 254 00:15:24,320 --> 00:15:28,000 One lifeguard got to experience the event first-hand. 255 00:15:28,000 --> 00:15:30,760 Seeing Eddie come out put a big smile on our faces. 256 00:15:30,760 --> 00:15:32,320 That's a good time! 257 00:15:32,320 --> 00:15:35,280 It was a great event and everyone had a good time. 258 00:15:35,280 --> 00:15:36,960 Yeah. Job well done. 259 00:15:45,160 --> 00:15:47,520 In a summer of celebrations, 260 00:15:47,520 --> 00:15:50,880 there's also a special milestone in the lifeguard team. 261 00:15:53,240 --> 00:15:56,600 Bruce Hopkins joined the Bondi lifeguards 262 00:15:56,600 --> 00:15:59,600 as a fresh-faced 25-year-old. 263 00:15:59,600 --> 00:16:01,280 HOPPO: Mother Nature just picks you up 264 00:16:01,280 --> 00:16:03,200 and puts you wherever it wants to put you. 265 00:16:03,200 --> 00:16:05,560 (CHEERING AND APPLAUSE) (SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY) 266 00:16:06,840 --> 00:16:08,960 When I started lifeguarding 30 years ago, 267 00:16:08,960 --> 00:16:11,640 my plan was to be here for five years, 268 00:16:11,640 --> 00:16:13,440 because back when I started, 269 00:16:13,440 --> 00:16:16,440 it was always known as a job you did before you went and got a real job. 270 00:16:16,440 --> 00:16:19,480 Got handed a pair of shorts, a shirt and a whistle 271 00:16:19,480 --> 00:16:21,880 and off I went - didn't know what I was doing. 272 00:16:22,960 --> 00:16:25,000 From there, the job just changed 273 00:16:25,000 --> 00:16:27,840 and it sort of then started becoming a bit more professional. 274 00:16:27,840 --> 00:16:30,680 There's a bit of competition there - the young blokes try to push harder 275 00:16:30,680 --> 00:16:32,800 to knock the old blokes off their perch. 276 00:16:32,800 --> 00:16:35,920 I actually suggested he should be bronzed the other day, 277 00:16:35,920 --> 00:16:38,320 which, of course, he liked the idea of! 278 00:16:39,400 --> 00:16:42,800 What a man - the fact that he's still here, leading a team... 279 00:16:42,800 --> 00:16:44,920 Gave me a great opportunity. 280 00:16:44,920 --> 00:16:47,880 A great lifeguard, great mentor, great person. 281 00:16:47,880 --> 00:16:50,040 Instead of letting his emotions take over, 282 00:16:50,040 --> 00:16:52,400 he always comes at it from a point of logic. 283 00:17:01,240 --> 00:17:03,160 When you've got a leader like that, 284 00:17:03,160 --> 00:17:07,120 that stuff flows down through the team and keeps the team really calm. 285 00:17:07,120 --> 00:17:09,160 I thought you might need the altern to back up. 286 00:17:10,800 --> 00:17:12,360 Yeah. (LAUGHS) 287 00:17:12,360 --> 00:17:15,480 Yeah, he's a great guy, Hoppo, and a really good leader as well. 288 00:17:15,480 --> 00:17:17,360 Fun to work with. 289 00:17:17,360 --> 00:17:19,680 I think he gets the best out of people. 290 00:17:19,680 --> 00:17:21,520 I think that's really important as a leader. 291 00:17:21,520 --> 00:17:23,120 No-one wants to leave. 292 00:17:23,120 --> 00:17:24,680 It's a job now that... 293 00:17:24,680 --> 00:17:26,560 people sort of want to be here forever. 294 00:17:26,560 --> 00:17:29,120 I've never really heard him say a bad thing about anyone. 295 00:17:31,200 --> 00:17:33,200 He told me they've lost a group of monks. 296 00:17:33,200 --> 00:17:34,840 What? A group of monks. 297 00:17:34,840 --> 00:17:37,240 Oh. Thank you for the feedback. 298 00:17:40,920 --> 00:17:44,440 He's just been such a rock for this service for so long. 299 00:17:44,440 --> 00:17:46,960 Yeah, we rely on him daily down here. 300 00:17:49,720 --> 00:17:51,720 He's always, kind of, got your back 301 00:17:51,720 --> 00:17:55,720 and yeah, he just makes you feel trusted in what you do. 302 00:17:55,720 --> 00:18:00,040 You know, we've all become what we are today because of him. 303 00:18:05,240 --> 00:18:10,320 As senior lifeguard, Hoppo normally leaves the chores to the young guns. 304 00:18:10,320 --> 00:18:14,320 Today they've told him it's his turn to pack up. 305 00:18:14,320 --> 00:18:16,920 They asked me to pack up and I thought it was a bit unusual 306 00:18:16,920 --> 00:18:19,560 and I thought, "Oh, there's probably a stitch-up coming somewhere." 307 00:18:19,560 --> 00:18:21,480 Skilful. Skilful. 308 00:18:21,480 --> 00:18:24,440 I said, "Yeah, I'll pack up and show 'em how to do it." 309 00:18:24,440 --> 00:18:28,160 They're trying to say it's the, uh, first pack-up in 30 years. 310 00:18:28,160 --> 00:18:29,760 (LAUGHS) 311 00:18:29,760 --> 00:18:31,280 Right. 312 00:18:35,200 --> 00:18:38,960 But the last challenge might be the trickiest of all. 313 00:18:38,960 --> 00:18:41,680 When you finish packing up, you go back to the tunnel, 314 00:18:41,680 --> 00:18:43,760 where you back the trailer in with all the gear. 315 00:18:45,040 --> 00:18:46,560 They gave it to me to do, 316 00:18:46,560 --> 00:18:48,720 'cause they know I hadn't done it for a long time. 317 00:18:49,920 --> 00:18:51,760 There's always been a bit of competition and banter 318 00:18:51,760 --> 00:18:53,240 for backing the buggy in 319 00:18:53,240 --> 00:18:54,880 and a little bit different this time too, 320 00:18:54,880 --> 00:18:56,520 because we've had the tunnels re-done, 321 00:18:56,520 --> 00:18:58,880 so they're a lot thinner than what they, uh, have been. 322 00:19:01,800 --> 00:19:05,360 The big competition is to get it in first go. 323 00:19:05,360 --> 00:19:07,520 Been a while since I've backed it in. 324 00:19:07,520 --> 00:19:09,280 Quite a bit of pressure on. 325 00:19:09,280 --> 00:19:12,080 I reckon I had about 10 or 12 lifeguards give me banter 326 00:19:12,080 --> 00:19:13,680 as I was trying to do it. 327 00:19:13,680 --> 00:19:16,200 Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! Hey, hey! 328 00:19:16,200 --> 00:19:18,040 Want some more? Come on, mate. 329 00:19:18,040 --> 00:19:20,320 That's hitting the side wall. That's no good. 330 00:19:20,320 --> 00:19:24,360 Oh, watch the left... Oh! Hey! 331 00:19:24,360 --> 00:19:26,040 Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! Whoa! 332 00:19:26,040 --> 00:19:28,400 (LIFEGUARDS CHEER) That's three goes. 333 00:19:28,400 --> 00:19:30,360 They've shortened the wall since I last did it. 334 00:19:30,360 --> 00:19:31,880 Three goes, mate. 335 00:19:31,880 --> 00:19:34,360 I probably didn't go as well as I should have. 336 00:19:34,360 --> 00:19:36,600 Whoa! This could take a while. 337 00:19:36,600 --> 00:19:38,080 Whoa... Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! 338 00:19:38,080 --> 00:19:40,600 (BANG!) Oh! I heard a crunch. 339 00:19:45,320 --> 00:19:46,960 Oh, yeah! 340 00:19:46,960 --> 00:19:48,800 As senior lifeguard, 341 00:19:48,800 --> 00:19:52,640 Hoppo has cleverly avoided many daily chores. 342 00:19:52,640 --> 00:19:54,120 Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! 343 00:19:54,120 --> 00:19:57,120 Today, after 30 years on the beach, 344 00:19:57,120 --> 00:20:00,680 his mates have decided it's his turn to pack away the buggy. 345 00:20:00,680 --> 00:20:02,320 (BANG!) Oh! 346 00:20:02,320 --> 00:20:04,360 I heard a crunch. This could take a while. 347 00:20:04,360 --> 00:20:06,200 They've shortened the wall since I last did it. 348 00:20:06,200 --> 00:20:08,040 Three goes! (LAUGHS) 349 00:20:08,040 --> 00:20:10,880 I hadn't done it for a long time, backed the trailer in. 350 00:20:10,880 --> 00:20:12,480 Quite a bit of pressure on. 351 00:20:12,480 --> 00:20:14,040 Oh, hey, hey! 352 00:20:14,040 --> 00:20:15,960 Oh, that's close, mate. How close to that wall? 353 00:20:15,960 --> 00:20:17,560 It spins every time! 354 00:20:17,560 --> 00:20:19,280 They've set it up, mate. 355 00:20:21,240 --> 00:20:23,600 Oh, yeah! 356 00:20:23,600 --> 00:20:25,160 He's got it. He's got that. 357 00:20:25,160 --> 00:20:27,200 Hoppo! Not bad, mate. 358 00:20:31,640 --> 00:20:33,320 I don't know - last time I backed in, 359 00:20:33,320 --> 00:20:35,040 it was probably about 10 years ago. 360 00:20:36,520 --> 00:20:38,240 I've done 30 years here. 361 00:20:38,240 --> 00:20:39,720 Yeah, I've made a lot of friends 362 00:20:39,720 --> 00:20:42,040 and worked with a hell of a lot of lifeguards. 363 00:20:42,040 --> 00:20:44,280 (LIFEGUARDS CHEER) 364 00:20:44,280 --> 00:20:46,800 They all lined up, like a guard of honour, up the stairs. 365 00:20:46,800 --> 00:20:48,840 (CHEERING CONTINUES) 366 00:20:48,840 --> 00:20:51,040 I haven't had a guard of honour in my 30 years, 367 00:20:51,040 --> 00:20:53,960 so...there's always a first time, isn't there? 368 00:20:53,960 --> 00:20:56,240 (LAUGHTER) Like the toupee? 369 00:20:56,240 --> 00:20:57,920 (LAUGHTER) 370 00:20:57,920 --> 00:21:00,160 Hoppo, you love it. 371 00:21:00,160 --> 00:21:02,520 Speech! Nah, thanks, guys, for coming. 372 00:21:02,520 --> 00:21:05,480 It's, uh...it's just nice. It's been a great 30 years. 373 00:21:05,480 --> 00:21:08,520 There's been a lot of ups and downs and long rides 374 00:21:08,520 --> 00:21:10,560 and some great, uh, rescues 375 00:21:10,560 --> 00:21:12,200 and I've got plenty of memories 376 00:21:12,200 --> 00:21:14,240 and plenty of great friends as well, on the way, 377 00:21:14,240 --> 00:21:15,800 so thanks - it's been, uh... 378 00:21:15,800 --> 00:21:17,400 I'll see how many more years I can go. 379 00:21:17,400 --> 00:21:19,920 (CHEERING) 380 00:21:23,240 --> 00:21:26,360 I got a bit emotional, because it was just something I didn't expect. 381 00:21:27,400 --> 00:21:29,000 A great moment for me. 382 00:21:29,000 --> 00:21:31,440 I was quite proud that they actually thought about it 383 00:21:31,440 --> 00:21:35,200 and that's something that will stick with me for the rest of my life. 384 00:21:35,200 --> 00:21:37,600 You're still going. You're in it for life. 385 00:21:41,040 --> 00:21:44,720 After three seasons of lockdowns and La Nina rain, 386 00:21:44,720 --> 00:21:47,960 Bondi finally got its mojo back. 387 00:21:47,960 --> 00:21:49,960 Merry Christmas! 388 00:21:51,480 --> 00:21:54,080 It was a classic Bondi summer. 389 00:21:56,080 --> 00:21:57,280 Breathe. 390 00:21:57,280 --> 00:22:00,600 The green whistle worked its magic pretty quick on Dan. 391 00:22:00,600 --> 00:22:02,160 I love you. 392 00:22:03,640 --> 00:22:06,120 The highlight of this season, for me, 393 00:22:06,120 --> 00:22:08,880 was getting nude on Bondi Beach legally. 394 00:22:08,880 --> 00:22:10,520 Hey, guys! 395 00:22:10,520 --> 00:22:12,520 The highlight of my summer this year 396 00:22:12,520 --> 00:22:14,720 was a rescue that we did at South Bondi. 397 00:22:14,720 --> 00:22:18,360 WOMAN: Where's number 4? There seems to be a swimmer missing. 398 00:22:18,360 --> 00:22:20,320 That is the worst scenario. 399 00:22:20,320 --> 00:22:21,920 There he is. He's there. 400 00:22:21,920 --> 00:22:24,800 Relief. Relief came over all of us. It was huge. 401 00:22:24,800 --> 00:22:26,280 When you're ready. 402 00:22:26,280 --> 00:22:29,200 Being a lifeguard, we are first responders. 403 00:22:29,200 --> 00:22:31,800 We always come up against confronting situations. 404 00:22:31,800 --> 00:22:34,760 Didn't come in from the water. Hoppy. 405 00:22:34,760 --> 00:22:36,880 One of the most challenging incidents this year 406 00:22:36,880 --> 00:22:38,440 was the incident with the baby, 407 00:22:38,440 --> 00:22:41,240 especially a few of us with kids, that had to deal with that. 408 00:22:41,240 --> 00:22:44,480 You put yourself in that moment and help as much as you can. 409 00:22:44,480 --> 00:22:46,040 Hopefully going in, yeah. 410 00:22:46,040 --> 00:22:47,760 Hey - open your eyes. 411 00:22:47,760 --> 00:22:49,280 Come in here. 412 00:22:49,280 --> 00:22:50,880 I'm feeling a bit nervous at this point. 413 00:22:50,880 --> 00:22:52,520 Wow. How good, mate! 414 00:22:52,520 --> 00:22:54,240 The team camaraderie was really good. 415 00:22:55,240 --> 00:22:57,640 The whole team really pulled together this year. 416 00:22:58,720 --> 00:23:00,680 Whoo! 417 00:23:00,680 --> 00:23:03,960 The best thing about this summer was everyone coming back to the beach. 418 00:23:03,960 --> 00:23:06,480 Seeing the crowds flood down the hill again, 419 00:23:06,480 --> 00:23:08,800 you got that sense that...it's back. 420 00:23:08,800 --> 00:23:10,640 We're back. 421 00:23:10,640 --> 00:23:12,160 Felt like home. 422 00:23:13,560 --> 00:23:16,200 Captions by Red Bee Media