1 00:00:05,600 --> 00:00:07,720 Bondi has different moods. 2 00:00:07,720 --> 00:00:09,600 There's chill Bondi. 3 00:00:09,600 --> 00:00:12,720 Sun soaked, laid back. 4 00:00:17,440 --> 00:00:22,240 But every so often it becomes a wild beast. 5 00:00:22,240 --> 00:00:27,560 When a big swell hits, Bondi lifeguards start salivating. 6 00:00:27,560 --> 00:00:29,560 Oh, that's a big one. Yeah. 7 00:00:29,560 --> 00:00:31,720 All week I was excited to come to work on the weekend 8 00:00:31,720 --> 00:00:33,360 'cause I knew the surf was going to be big. 9 00:00:33,360 --> 00:00:35,880 MAN: Look at this one. No way. 10 00:00:35,880 --> 00:00:37,720 Oh! 11 00:00:37,720 --> 00:00:40,320 Yeah, the surf was, like, eight to 10 foot 12 00:00:40,320 --> 00:00:43,360 and we probably get two or three swells like that a year, 13 00:00:43,360 --> 00:00:45,680 but that one was the biggest one yet. 14 00:00:50,120 --> 00:00:53,800 The swell, driven by a powerful cold front... 15 00:00:53,800 --> 00:00:55,720 ..has scared away swimmers, 16 00:00:55,720 --> 00:00:57,240 but the huge conditions 17 00:00:57,240 --> 00:01:00,440 are the perfect training ground for lifeguards. 18 00:01:01,880 --> 00:01:04,200 Yeah, this is awesome training to go out and you're going to learn 19 00:01:04,200 --> 00:01:06,520 more in big surf on a day like that 20 00:01:06,520 --> 00:01:09,240 than you would in 10 days when it's smaller. 21 00:01:10,560 --> 00:01:11,640 Break. 22 00:01:11,640 --> 00:01:14,880 It was myself, Boo and Mario. 23 00:01:14,880 --> 00:01:16,720 Generally, when it gets that big, 24 00:01:16,720 --> 00:01:18,400 you can't really paddle from the beach. 25 00:01:18,400 --> 00:01:20,400 We were fortunate enough to have the jet skis, 26 00:01:20,400 --> 00:01:22,080 so I hopped on the back with Mario. 27 00:01:22,080 --> 00:01:23,240 That's how I got out. 28 00:01:25,320 --> 00:01:27,520 I've seen a monster coming towards me. 29 00:01:27,520 --> 00:01:28,640 Oh! 30 00:01:29,800 --> 00:01:32,400 You know, like, wow, this is... 31 00:01:32,400 --> 00:01:33,760 ..pretty, pretty big. 32 00:01:38,240 --> 00:01:42,040 Veteran lifeguard Boo is a noted big wave surfer. 33 00:01:42,040 --> 00:01:45,720 But a swell like this still strikes fear. 34 00:01:45,720 --> 00:01:48,920 When it is big, I've got butterflies and stuff sometimes before I go out, 35 00:01:48,920 --> 00:01:50,520 and then you get out there 36 00:01:50,520 --> 00:01:53,280 and build up the confidence to take off on one. 37 00:01:54,720 --> 00:01:58,640 Then once you've made it, it's just like full-on relief. 38 00:01:58,640 --> 00:02:00,120 Like, you can't explain the feeling, 39 00:02:00,120 --> 00:02:02,320 but, yeah, that's what brings you back. 40 00:02:09,200 --> 00:02:11,080 MITCH: It's just leaving your comfort zone 41 00:02:11,080 --> 00:02:13,800 and you're kind of vulnerable as well out there 42 00:02:13,800 --> 00:02:15,960 trying to ride these big waves. 43 00:02:15,960 --> 00:02:18,280 You've just got to be really switched on 44 00:02:18,280 --> 00:02:19,560 and in tune with the ocean. 45 00:02:27,240 --> 00:02:29,840 I just had to jump off because I was just right on the detonation zone. 46 00:02:29,840 --> 00:02:30,960 Just got pumped. 47 00:02:32,440 --> 00:02:35,760 Got sand in every hole possible on my body right here. 48 00:02:35,760 --> 00:02:38,880 MITCH: Everyone's been doing this swell up all week, 49 00:02:38,880 --> 00:02:40,760 so, yeah, everyone was keen to get out there 50 00:02:40,760 --> 00:02:43,120 and everyone's hootin' each other, which was mad. 51 00:02:43,120 --> 00:02:44,520 (WHISTLING) 52 00:02:44,520 --> 00:02:47,360 (INDISTINCT SHOUTING) 53 00:02:48,680 --> 00:02:50,760 Mario was poppin' off out there. 54 00:02:52,160 --> 00:02:54,400 Yeah, baby. Whoo! 55 00:02:54,400 --> 00:02:56,840 That last one was a bit of a rag doll on the left. 56 00:03:00,200 --> 00:03:01,720 Heaps of crew on it. 57 00:03:01,720 --> 00:03:04,560 Yeah, the boys are dominating out there. 58 00:03:09,800 --> 00:03:12,160 Yeah. Nah, it's all been good. It's been a good day. 59 00:03:12,160 --> 00:03:15,320 With the big waves scaring off swimmers, 60 00:03:15,320 --> 00:03:20,040 Maxi decides it's a good time to hone his jet ski skills. 61 00:03:20,040 --> 00:03:22,760 MAN: 'Cause I'm a casual lifeguard, I'm not down here full time. 62 00:03:22,760 --> 00:03:25,640 So whenever I get a chance, when it's a bit quieter, the surf's up, 63 00:03:25,640 --> 00:03:27,560 it's a little bit rough and dangerous. 64 00:03:27,560 --> 00:03:29,160 You know, it's good to get those skills in. 65 00:03:29,160 --> 00:03:32,760 While the ski is an invaluable rescue tool, 66 00:03:32,760 --> 00:03:37,800 it also weighs over 300 kilos and needs careful handling. 67 00:03:37,800 --> 00:03:40,760 These conditions are the trickiest conditions for jet ski 68 00:03:40,760 --> 00:03:44,000 'cause the wind's blowing onshore, there's whitecaps. 69 00:03:44,000 --> 00:03:45,760 It's easy to capsize it. 70 00:03:45,760 --> 00:03:49,320 Last season I capsized it and Maxi was in the buggy. 71 00:03:49,320 --> 00:03:51,000 He came to help me. 72 00:03:51,000 --> 00:03:55,960 Big wave just came out of nowhere and I timed it really badly, and... 73 00:03:57,120 --> 00:03:59,520 Oh, Glick! Glick's over. Oh, no. 74 00:03:59,520 --> 00:04:02,760 Before I knew it, it just flipped. 75 00:04:02,760 --> 00:04:04,040 Got tumbled under a wave. 76 00:04:04,040 --> 00:04:05,640 It was a pretty big wave. 77 00:04:05,640 --> 00:04:08,280 It's a really heavy piece of machinery. 78 00:04:08,280 --> 00:04:09,680 Maxi came and helped me. 79 00:04:11,640 --> 00:04:13,360 Could have been really, really bad. 80 00:04:13,360 --> 00:04:14,640 Yeah, yeah. All good. 81 00:04:14,640 --> 00:04:16,520 So I was very fortunate. 82 00:04:17,760 --> 00:04:20,800 So on the lifeguard leaderboard of jet ski ability 83 00:04:20,800 --> 00:04:23,280 Maxi's at the very, very top. 84 00:04:23,280 --> 00:04:27,480 He's driven jet skis from Sydney to Far North Queensland. 85 00:04:27,480 --> 00:04:30,520 So if there's anyone that wouldn't flip the jet ski 86 00:04:30,520 --> 00:04:33,200 in crazy conditions, it's Maxi. 87 00:04:34,680 --> 00:04:37,360 MAXI: When we say we train, we go out there, we do figure of eights. 88 00:04:37,360 --> 00:04:40,320 We pretend that there's patients within the impact zone. 89 00:04:40,320 --> 00:04:43,240 We get nice and close to the rocks to kind of simulate that 90 00:04:43,240 --> 00:04:46,280 there's a rock rescue, uh, a body retrieval. 91 00:04:46,280 --> 00:04:48,200 You know, just timing through the waves, 92 00:04:48,200 --> 00:04:52,080 knowing where to position yourself on the jet ski when you hit waves. 93 00:04:52,080 --> 00:04:55,120 At least Maxi doesn't have swimmers to worry about. 94 00:04:55,120 --> 00:05:00,360 Only the very brave or very foolish would go into the water today. 95 00:05:03,760 --> 00:05:04,960 Got it. 96 00:05:06,080 --> 00:05:07,720 Which category are these guys in? 97 00:05:09,040 --> 00:05:10,920 GLICK: There's been no-one swimming all day. 98 00:05:10,920 --> 00:05:12,160 We just launched a jet ski. 99 00:05:12,160 --> 00:05:14,040 This is a little bit weird, you know. 100 00:05:15,840 --> 00:05:17,680 Head in, guys. 101 00:05:17,680 --> 00:05:18,920 Head in. 102 00:05:18,920 --> 00:05:20,400 I saw that they started to drift out. 103 00:05:20,400 --> 00:05:22,360 Kind of did a few laps around them, 104 00:05:22,360 --> 00:05:24,600 noticed that they were drifting quite fast. 105 00:05:26,400 --> 00:05:29,400 The lady that was in the group started to freak out a bit. 106 00:05:40,880 --> 00:05:42,680 I knew the weight was going to be an issue, 107 00:05:42,680 --> 00:05:45,240 so I got the gentleman to jump up on the back with me to hold on. 108 00:05:48,640 --> 00:05:49,640 Yeah. 109 00:05:49,640 --> 00:05:54,080 In these conditions, just picking up three people on a jet ski is a feat. 110 00:05:56,240 --> 00:05:59,520 But disaster is always just a wave away. 111 00:06:03,120 --> 00:06:04,520 Oh, no. 112 00:06:15,920 --> 00:06:19,760 In the middle of a triple rescue in pounding surf... 113 00:06:20,880 --> 00:06:22,960 ..Maxi rolls the jet ski. 114 00:06:25,200 --> 00:06:28,560 I kind of hit the wave and a bit of the weight shifted on the jet ski. 115 00:06:28,560 --> 00:06:31,200 It was too much momentum, so we fell in the water. 116 00:06:31,200 --> 00:06:33,320 Oh, no! 117 00:06:33,320 --> 00:06:36,400 The huge surf obscures Glick's view. 118 00:06:36,400 --> 00:06:38,880 He doesn't see Maxi come unstuck. 119 00:06:40,560 --> 00:06:43,520 I've always been taught, never let go of your craft. 120 00:06:43,520 --> 00:06:45,080 Hold on. 121 00:06:45,080 --> 00:06:47,880 I knew that the jet ski was going to go back upright, 122 00:06:47,880 --> 00:06:49,080 kind of rolled back. 123 00:06:49,080 --> 00:06:52,000 And then once I was like that, I shot off with it. 124 00:06:52,000 --> 00:06:56,240 With the trio back in the water, Maxi has to try a different approach. 125 00:06:58,040 --> 00:07:02,080 Come back around and grab the patients, one by one, actually 126 00:07:02,080 --> 00:07:03,320 Three people is too hard. 127 00:07:10,080 --> 00:07:11,360 Flew in, dropped her off. 128 00:07:14,240 --> 00:07:15,440 And went back out. 129 00:07:26,520 --> 00:07:28,800 The three friends from England and Canada 130 00:07:28,800 --> 00:07:31,280 are staying in western Sydney. 131 00:07:31,280 --> 00:07:33,920 The men work as - wait for it - 132 00:07:33,920 --> 00:07:35,360 lifeguards. 133 00:07:35,360 --> 00:07:36,560 We're staying at Penrith. 134 00:07:36,560 --> 00:07:38,040 If you know it, shout out Penrith Wake Park. 135 00:07:38,040 --> 00:07:39,320 We do lifeguarding there. 136 00:07:39,320 --> 00:07:41,800 Not, obviously, not with the waves so it's a bit different. 137 00:07:41,800 --> 00:07:43,000 We were swimming. 138 00:07:43,000 --> 00:07:45,840 We kept going farther out and buddy on the jet ski there came through. 139 00:07:45,840 --> 00:07:47,520 So, you know... 140 00:07:47,520 --> 00:07:49,440 After his jet ski mishap, 141 00:07:49,440 --> 00:07:53,920 Maxi is bracing for some good natured ribbing from Glick. 142 00:07:53,920 --> 00:07:55,880 So I come in with a sly smirk on my face, 143 00:07:55,880 --> 00:07:57,440 waiting for him to give it to me. 144 00:07:57,440 --> 00:08:00,120 Waiting for him to feed me. That's one for one. 145 00:08:00,120 --> 00:08:01,480 But nothing was said. 146 00:08:06,920 --> 00:08:09,560 I gave myself up and he goes, 147 00:08:09,560 --> 00:08:11,120 "What are you talking about? No, you didn't." 148 00:08:20,320 --> 00:08:21,600 The waves are so big 149 00:08:21,600 --> 00:08:24,720 that he just got hidden behind one of those waves. 150 00:08:31,080 --> 00:08:32,720 I mean, if I did see it at the time, 151 00:08:32,720 --> 00:08:35,120 I would have raced in like he did, you know. 152 00:08:38,840 --> 00:08:40,560 Yeah, it was pretty crazy. 153 00:08:47,800 --> 00:08:49,920 The heavy weather is gone, 154 00:08:49,920 --> 00:08:54,600 replaced by blue skies and sand-scorching temperatures. 155 00:08:54,600 --> 00:08:57,480 It's the hottest day of the year so far, 156 00:08:57,480 --> 00:08:59,960 the mercury hitting the mid 30s. 157 00:08:59,960 --> 00:09:03,600 But not everyone lying on the beach is relaxing. 158 00:09:06,680 --> 00:09:09,040 MAN: A member of the public said there's a woman downstairs 159 00:09:09,040 --> 00:09:11,080 who's covered in sand and unconscious. 160 00:09:17,240 --> 00:09:18,400 Hey. (CLICKS FINGERS) 161 00:09:18,400 --> 00:09:20,080 Hey. 162 00:09:20,080 --> 00:09:21,240 Excuse me. 163 00:09:21,240 --> 00:09:24,080 When I first saw her, I thought it was pretty bad. 164 00:09:24,080 --> 00:09:25,400 Can you see me? 165 00:09:25,400 --> 00:09:27,520 Her face was just covered in sand. 166 00:09:29,000 --> 00:09:30,680 Do you know where you are? 167 00:09:31,920 --> 00:09:32,960 Know where you are? 168 00:09:32,960 --> 00:09:34,560 (WHISTLES SOFTLY) Wake up. 169 00:09:34,560 --> 00:09:36,080 Wake up. 170 00:09:36,080 --> 00:09:38,200 You've been drinking alcohol? 171 00:09:38,200 --> 00:09:40,800 She presented as an intoxicated patient. 172 00:09:40,800 --> 00:09:43,760 Or so I thought, substance use. 173 00:09:43,760 --> 00:09:45,760 She was just so out of it. 174 00:09:45,760 --> 00:09:48,320 Can you help me out here? You going to get up? 175 00:09:48,320 --> 00:09:50,320 Attagirl. 176 00:09:50,320 --> 00:09:52,160 A little bit of sand on you. You'll be alright. 177 00:09:52,160 --> 00:09:53,520 Come with me. 178 00:09:53,520 --> 00:09:54,960 It's alright, I'll bring them up for you. 179 00:09:54,960 --> 00:09:56,920 Just come... Hey. 180 00:09:56,920 --> 00:10:00,360 I kept trying to wake her up and she'd come to 181 00:10:00,360 --> 00:10:01,520 and then she'd drop out again. 182 00:10:01,520 --> 00:10:03,160 Come to, drop out again. 183 00:10:05,440 --> 00:10:07,920 She was like, passing out, like super incoherent. 184 00:10:07,920 --> 00:10:10,240 And there was no function in her...in her limbs. 185 00:10:10,240 --> 00:10:12,240 I need you to get up for me. 186 00:10:12,240 --> 00:10:14,880 But then as I was inspecting the situation, 187 00:10:14,880 --> 00:10:17,960 she didn't smell of alcohol at all. 188 00:10:17,960 --> 00:10:19,360 Hey, uh... 189 00:10:20,600 --> 00:10:23,320 It's super important in this job not to jump to conclusions. 190 00:10:23,320 --> 00:10:26,280 If you jump to conclusions and you give the wrong diagnosis, 191 00:10:26,280 --> 00:10:29,200 you could treat them the wrong way and it could make things worse. 192 00:10:29,200 --> 00:10:31,040 Yeah. You're alright, mate. 193 00:10:36,080 --> 00:10:37,800 Is there anyone that we can call? 194 00:10:38,800 --> 00:10:40,280 You're not fine. 195 00:10:40,280 --> 00:10:44,760 On a blisteringly hot day, 196 00:10:44,760 --> 00:10:49,000 a woman has just collapsed in the shadow of the lifeguard tower. 197 00:10:49,000 --> 00:10:51,200 Now come over here. 198 00:10:51,200 --> 00:10:53,120 I assumed that she's probably been on the drink. 199 00:10:53,120 --> 00:10:56,360 And you're just...you're playing to and fro the whole time. 200 00:10:56,360 --> 00:10:58,880 Hey, hey, hey. Just don't worry about your stuff. 201 00:10:58,880 --> 00:11:00,080 It's all safe. 202 00:11:00,080 --> 00:11:02,480 But she didn't smell of alcohol. 203 00:11:03,600 --> 00:11:06,080 Will dispenses with any bedside manner. 204 00:11:06,080 --> 00:11:07,560 Hey, look at me. Look at me. 205 00:11:07,560 --> 00:11:10,200 I need you to open your eyes and focus. 206 00:11:10,200 --> 00:11:11,640 Wake up. 207 00:11:11,640 --> 00:11:14,720 Now follow my hand. Follow this finger. 208 00:11:14,720 --> 00:11:18,520 You can only be really gentle for so long. 209 00:11:18,520 --> 00:11:20,480 You kind of just have to put your foot down 210 00:11:20,480 --> 00:11:22,480 because you've got to work out what is the problem? 211 00:11:22,480 --> 00:11:25,440 Where do you live? Hey, I need you to start paying attention. 212 00:11:25,440 --> 00:11:28,520 I know it's hard, so focus on me. Look at me. 213 00:11:28,520 --> 00:11:30,440 Do you have any medical conditions? 214 00:11:30,440 --> 00:11:31,680 No. 215 00:11:31,680 --> 00:11:33,120 How did you get here? 216 00:11:34,800 --> 00:11:36,160 OK. You walked from Coogee. 217 00:11:38,240 --> 00:11:41,280 Coogee is 6km south of Bondi. 218 00:11:41,280 --> 00:11:44,760 She said, "I walked from Coogee, and I'm like, "OK." 219 00:11:44,760 --> 00:11:47,880 It's stinking hot, that terrain sucks. 220 00:11:47,880 --> 00:11:49,080 She's probably not used to it. 221 00:11:49,080 --> 00:11:51,120 She's carrying a backpack, camera and everything. 222 00:11:51,120 --> 00:11:54,640 So I ruled out alcohol and just went straight to heatstroke. 223 00:11:54,640 --> 00:11:57,000 How much water have you had to drink? 224 00:11:58,760 --> 00:12:01,520 You're exhausted? Ah. 225 00:12:01,520 --> 00:12:05,040 And she had like a 1.5 litre bottle for water. 226 00:12:05,040 --> 00:12:06,600 It was almost full and I was like, 227 00:12:06,600 --> 00:12:08,720 "OK, you've walked from Coogee to here on this day. 228 00:12:08,720 --> 00:12:09,960 "That's nowhere near enough." 229 00:12:09,960 --> 00:12:12,200 So straightaway I was like, severe heatstroke. 230 00:12:12,200 --> 00:12:14,840 (DEVICE BEEPS) Need and ambo down for her. 231 00:12:14,840 --> 00:12:16,000 Yeah, please. Thank you. 232 00:12:17,520 --> 00:12:18,560 Hey? 233 00:12:18,560 --> 00:12:19,880 It was a bloody hot day. 234 00:12:19,880 --> 00:12:21,320 Like, really, really hot. 235 00:12:25,000 --> 00:12:26,600 Need to try and drink some water. 236 00:12:26,600 --> 00:12:29,120 Heatstroke, it's too much time in the sun, 237 00:12:29,120 --> 00:12:30,240 not enough water. 238 00:12:30,240 --> 00:12:32,880 You need to get fluids into you, electrolytes, 239 00:12:32,880 --> 00:12:34,280 and you need to get cool. 240 00:12:34,280 --> 00:12:37,680 I'm gonna take you upstairs where it's aircon, it's nice and cool. 241 00:12:37,680 --> 00:12:39,840 Give me your hands, give me your hands. 242 00:12:39,840 --> 00:12:41,240 Use your legs. 243 00:12:41,240 --> 00:12:44,360 If left untreated, on a severe case like this woman, 244 00:12:44,360 --> 00:12:45,800 she could die from dehydration, 245 00:12:45,800 --> 00:12:49,200 respiratory problems, cardiac arrest, organ failure. 246 00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:51,600 The heat, it cooks you from the inside. 247 00:12:52,640 --> 00:12:53,640 Yeah. 248 00:12:57,960 --> 00:13:00,240 So when she sort of passed out on the stairs, 249 00:13:00,240 --> 00:13:02,280 I kind of went a bit rogue on the technique 250 00:13:02,280 --> 00:13:04,120 and just threw her over my shoulder. 251 00:13:04,120 --> 00:13:05,200 MAN: You alright, mate? 252 00:13:05,200 --> 00:13:07,760 My method wasn't exactly in the lifeguard manual, 253 00:13:07,760 --> 00:13:11,440 a bit unorthodox, but sure enough, you know, we got it done. 254 00:13:11,440 --> 00:13:12,600 Sip some water. 255 00:13:12,600 --> 00:13:13,960 Sip very slowly. 256 00:13:13,960 --> 00:13:16,040 As soon as we got her in the aircon, got her on the bed, 257 00:13:16,040 --> 00:13:17,880 slowly getting her to sip water... 258 00:13:17,880 --> 00:13:19,520 Starting to feel a bit better? 259 00:13:19,520 --> 00:13:21,040 ..it was a night and day difference. 260 00:13:21,040 --> 00:13:23,080 She was talking to me. 261 00:13:23,080 --> 00:13:25,680 Reckon you got some good photos? 262 00:13:25,680 --> 00:13:27,120 (LAUGHS) 263 00:13:27,120 --> 00:13:28,560 I was like, "Oh, so you like photography?" 264 00:13:28,560 --> 00:13:32,360 It was good to see her improve so fast 265 00:13:32,360 --> 00:13:34,960 for something that was actually quite severe at the start. 266 00:13:34,960 --> 00:13:38,000 A bit dry? Not much water or not enough water today? 267 00:13:38,000 --> 00:13:40,080 Yeah. Yeah. After checking her vital signs... 268 00:13:40,080 --> 00:13:42,320 Oxygen level's good, heart rate's good. 269 00:13:42,320 --> 00:13:45,400 ..paramedics give her the all clear to go home. 270 00:13:46,720 --> 00:13:50,480 Jeez, look at you. Pep in your step, ready to go. 271 00:13:50,480 --> 00:13:52,600 Good stuff, mate. 272 00:13:52,600 --> 00:13:53,760 Very welcome. 273 00:13:53,760 --> 00:13:56,440 Stay safe, stay cool, stay out of the sun. 274 00:13:56,440 --> 00:13:58,200 There was a good feeling sending her on her way, 275 00:13:58,200 --> 00:14:00,240 seeing her walk up towards the bus stop, heading home. 276 00:14:00,240 --> 00:14:02,280 Hopefully she's learnt her lesson. 277 00:14:02,280 --> 00:14:05,080 She buys water next time, drink the whole bloody thing, 278 00:14:05,080 --> 00:14:06,680 not a little bit of it. 279 00:14:11,160 --> 00:14:13,320 North Bondi is family central, 280 00:14:13,320 --> 00:14:16,720 sometimes known as Kiddies Corner. 281 00:14:26,720 --> 00:14:27,840 Hello. 282 00:14:27,840 --> 00:14:30,120 Mario is minding his own business... 283 00:14:30,120 --> 00:14:32,240 Agh! That's strong. 284 00:14:32,240 --> 00:14:34,160 ..when he gets a surprise visit. 285 00:14:34,160 --> 00:14:37,960 Super Mario. Like me. Huh? 286 00:14:37,960 --> 00:14:39,400 I'm Super Mario. 287 00:14:39,400 --> 00:14:44,080 So I was looking after the north corner, Kiddies Corner. 288 00:14:44,080 --> 00:14:46,520 No shame... (INDISTINCT) 289 00:14:46,520 --> 00:14:51,360 This little kid, he jumped on the buggy and then sat next to me. 290 00:14:51,360 --> 00:14:53,320 You want to drive? 291 00:14:53,320 --> 00:14:57,120 Young Anton is carrying out a snap vehicle inspection. 292 00:14:57,120 --> 00:14:58,880 Can I see your license? 293 00:14:58,880 --> 00:15:02,280 Sometimes the kids are interested, but also intimidated. 294 00:15:02,280 --> 00:15:06,280 But this kid had no fear whatsoever and he wants to drive. 295 00:15:06,280 --> 00:15:10,760 This...he's coming with me for the next rescue, yeah? 296 00:15:10,760 --> 00:15:14,280 Who knows? Maybe one day he's going to end up a lifeguard. 297 00:15:14,280 --> 00:15:15,640 Maybe. 298 00:15:15,640 --> 00:15:17,440 After all, that's what happened 299 00:15:17,440 --> 00:15:20,760 to a little boy in Italy many years ago. 300 00:15:20,760 --> 00:15:23,520 (SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY) Thank you. 301 00:15:23,520 --> 00:15:26,920 I was born in Italy, in Naples. 302 00:15:26,920 --> 00:15:31,320 One day, my brother, he took me in the water when there were waves. 303 00:15:31,320 --> 00:15:33,720 I was so happy to be in that ocean. 304 00:15:33,720 --> 00:15:36,720 So I thought, I want to chase my dream to be a lifeguard 305 00:15:36,720 --> 00:15:38,520 somewhere in the world. 306 00:15:38,520 --> 00:15:41,160 So I learned lifesaving skills. 307 00:15:41,160 --> 00:15:44,720 I moved from Italy when I was 24. 308 00:15:44,720 --> 00:15:48,040 I applied for a job down here and my dream came true. 309 00:15:48,040 --> 00:15:49,760 You know, I got the job. 310 00:15:51,680 --> 00:15:55,120 10 years later, Mario is still keeping a close eye 311 00:15:55,120 --> 00:15:56,920 on Bondi's beachgoers. 312 00:15:56,920 --> 00:15:58,400 (DEVICE BEEPS) 313 00:16:07,520 --> 00:16:09,320 Copy. 314 00:16:09,320 --> 00:16:13,160 A group of teenagers is struggling in the most dangerous section of surf. 315 00:16:13,160 --> 00:16:14,680 The South Corner, 316 00:16:14,680 --> 00:16:19,120 it's the worst place you could go swimming in Bondi. 317 00:16:19,120 --> 00:16:22,120 Lots of water is moving around the area. 318 00:16:22,120 --> 00:16:25,360 Things can turn quickly, blink of your eye. 319 00:16:25,360 --> 00:16:26,640 (HORN TOOTS) 320 00:16:30,080 --> 00:16:31,240 Yeah, I'm going in. 321 00:16:31,240 --> 00:16:33,520 They went right into the strongest rip. 322 00:16:33,520 --> 00:16:35,760 They were trying to come back straight to the beach 323 00:16:35,760 --> 00:16:39,840 and swimming against the current, which wasn't bringing them anywhere. 324 00:16:42,040 --> 00:16:44,960 Mario is battling against the odds. 325 00:16:44,960 --> 00:16:47,640 One lifeguard with one board 326 00:16:47,640 --> 00:16:52,560 versus three panicking patients and a raging rip. 327 00:16:52,560 --> 00:16:54,680 I was on my own. 328 00:16:54,680 --> 00:16:56,480 I could not take three all together. 329 00:16:56,480 --> 00:16:58,400 Hey! I'm coming, I'm coming! 330 00:17:04,000 --> 00:17:08,400 Mario is trying to save three teenagers from a powerful rip 331 00:17:08,400 --> 00:17:10,200 in Bondi's South Corner. 332 00:17:10,200 --> 00:17:12,240 I was on my own. 333 00:17:12,240 --> 00:17:14,560 I could not take three altogether. 334 00:17:14,560 --> 00:17:18,200 It's a moment where you think, "Who else can come and help?" 335 00:17:18,200 --> 00:17:20,160 Or I have to manage it by myself. 336 00:17:21,400 --> 00:17:22,920 MAN: I was off that day. 337 00:17:22,920 --> 00:17:24,800 Mario probably went into the rescue 338 00:17:24,800 --> 00:17:27,480 hoping they were going to send another buggy, 339 00:17:27,480 --> 00:17:30,320 but at the time the buggy was quite a way away, 340 00:17:30,320 --> 00:17:32,200 so it was my duty to give Mario a hand. 341 00:17:36,360 --> 00:17:40,120 Luckily, there's a spare rescue board stationed nearby. 342 00:17:40,120 --> 00:17:41,480 In the morning we set up the beach 343 00:17:41,480 --> 00:17:43,920 and we all set up stations of boards. 344 00:17:43,920 --> 00:17:47,320 If there is a rescue situation, there's a second board. 345 00:17:53,560 --> 00:17:55,160 Hang on me. 346 00:17:58,480 --> 00:18:01,080 Mario was a bit caught off guard when he saw me pop up, 347 00:18:01,080 --> 00:18:03,440 because he knew that I wasn't working on the day. 348 00:18:03,440 --> 00:18:04,520 Yeah. 349 00:18:04,520 --> 00:18:06,680 Lo and behold, there I was, backing him up. 350 00:18:06,680 --> 00:18:08,520 So that's what mates are for, I guess. 351 00:18:09,520 --> 00:18:12,000 Yeah, I felt that relief. 352 00:18:12,000 --> 00:18:15,040 You know, like, happy to see him 'cause other boys, 353 00:18:15,040 --> 00:18:19,360 they may be busy in other part of the beach and doing rescues. 354 00:18:19,360 --> 00:18:22,680 Sometimes I feel like the people do think they're fine, 355 00:18:22,680 --> 00:18:25,320 but if the lifeguards aren't on, 356 00:18:25,320 --> 00:18:27,360 there would be hundreds of drownings down at this beach. 357 00:18:27,360 --> 00:18:31,000 It is amazing how oblivious some of our patients are 358 00:18:31,000 --> 00:18:32,440 to how close they were to death. 359 00:18:37,000 --> 00:18:40,480 Mustafa and Fahad have learned a tough lesson about the perils 360 00:18:40,480 --> 00:18:42,680 hidden beneath Bondi's beauty. 361 00:18:46,600 --> 00:18:48,160 Yeah. 362 00:18:48,160 --> 00:18:52,400 But Mario has some more local knowledge to share. 363 00:18:58,960 --> 00:19:01,400 Bring me back a pistachio flavour. 364 00:19:01,400 --> 00:19:04,120 It's my favourite for sure. (CHUCKLES) 365 00:19:04,120 --> 00:19:05,760 You know, I saved your life. 366 00:19:05,760 --> 00:19:07,880 Please. Pay back. 367 00:19:12,400 --> 00:19:16,000 After two decades of having their exploits shown worldwide, 368 00:19:16,000 --> 00:19:19,600 the Bondi lifeguards have their own legion of fans 369 00:19:19,600 --> 00:19:23,800 who travel a long way to meet their heroes, 370 00:19:23,800 --> 00:19:26,120 like young Kiwi, Jacob. 371 00:19:26,120 --> 00:19:29,040 I noticed your shirt. Pretty cool. My name's Jackson. 372 00:19:29,040 --> 00:19:30,880 And looks like he's been to the merch tent. 373 00:19:32,160 --> 00:19:34,120 And there's Sanjay from Mumbai. 374 00:19:44,280 --> 00:19:46,640 Look, the people have come down from all around the world. 375 00:19:46,640 --> 00:19:48,920 There's places that you can't believe 376 00:19:48,920 --> 00:19:50,400 they actually know who you are. 377 00:19:50,400 --> 00:19:51,800 Hi. Hi. 378 00:19:51,800 --> 00:19:54,240 Even Prime Minister Anthony Albanese... 379 00:19:54,240 --> 00:19:55,640 I feel overdressed. 380 00:19:55,640 --> 00:19:58,360 ..AKA, Albo, has toured the tower this season. 381 00:19:58,360 --> 00:20:01,280 How many people would you have on duty at peak hour? 382 00:20:01,280 --> 00:20:04,200 Six for 30,000. So 5,000 each. 383 00:20:04,200 --> 00:20:05,960 I guess there's no pressure. 384 00:20:05,960 --> 00:20:08,160 Yeah, you fit in because everyone gets a nickname. 385 00:20:08,160 --> 00:20:09,680 So Albo fits in perfect. 386 00:20:09,680 --> 00:20:10,880 Yeah. Chappo and... 387 00:20:10,880 --> 00:20:13,520 In some circles, Hoppo is a bigger drawcard 388 00:20:13,520 --> 00:20:15,520 than a mere prime minister. 389 00:20:15,520 --> 00:20:17,120 Champion! 390 00:20:17,120 --> 00:20:19,560 Couple of people yelled out my name and they said, 391 00:20:19,560 --> 00:20:20,960 "We want a photo," and... 392 00:20:20,960 --> 00:20:22,560 Legend. Thank you. All good. 393 00:20:22,560 --> 00:20:23,760 Albo sort of got pushed to the side. 394 00:20:26,040 --> 00:20:27,880 When I tried to get Albo into the shot, 395 00:20:27,880 --> 00:20:30,720 "No, no, no, we only want Hoppo. Don't worry about Albo." 396 00:20:33,560 --> 00:20:36,080 I don't know, he might not like me now. A bit embarrassed. 397 00:20:36,080 --> 00:20:38,120 (CHUCKLES) 398 00:20:38,120 --> 00:20:42,360 Today another fan has made a pilgrimage to the tower, 399 00:20:42,360 --> 00:20:45,280 and he's a bit of a prickly character. 400 00:20:45,280 --> 00:20:47,240 My name is Thomas. I'm from the Netherlands. 401 00:20:47,240 --> 00:20:48,440 Your friend here is Gary. 402 00:20:48,440 --> 00:20:51,960 I travel with him all around the world and then try to take 403 00:20:51,960 --> 00:20:53,520 some pictures at iconic locations. 404 00:20:53,520 --> 00:20:55,280 So saw the opera house already, 405 00:20:55,280 --> 00:20:56,840 so I think one of his big dreams 406 00:20:56,840 --> 00:21:00,160 is to meet one of the lifeguards from Bondi Rescue. 407 00:21:00,160 --> 00:21:03,160 It's Gary the cactus' lucky day. 408 00:21:03,160 --> 00:21:08,720 Who's on duty, but the man Albo got elbowed for - Hoppo himself. 409 00:21:08,720 --> 00:21:10,640 Hello, mate. Hello. 410 00:21:10,640 --> 00:21:11,800 How are you? Good. How are you? 411 00:21:11,800 --> 00:21:13,000 Good. What are you up to? 412 00:21:13,000 --> 00:21:14,400 With Gary today at the beach. Oh, Gary? 413 00:21:14,400 --> 00:21:16,320 Yeah, Gary. Yeah! (LAUGHS) 414 00:21:16,320 --> 00:21:19,000 The cactus. Well, some would say I'm cactus... 415 00:21:19,000 --> 00:21:22,240 Oh, look, this one ranks pretty high on strange encounters with fans. 416 00:21:22,240 --> 00:21:25,400 I never came down to meet a cactus before. 417 00:21:25,400 --> 00:21:28,120 Just started as fun. We bought him at the market. 418 00:21:28,120 --> 00:21:29,960 I took him on a trip. Been everywhere. 419 00:21:29,960 --> 00:21:31,480 All around the world? All around the world. 420 00:21:31,480 --> 00:21:33,400 First time Australia, yes. 421 00:21:33,400 --> 00:21:36,040 Gary's been touring more than Taylor Swift. 422 00:21:36,040 --> 00:21:39,520 Milan, Suriname, America, Korea. 423 00:21:39,520 --> 00:21:41,520 Basically, has been to every continent. 424 00:21:41,520 --> 00:21:43,600 I've got something you could add to it. 425 00:21:43,600 --> 00:21:45,520 That would be lovely. Bondi lifeguards. 426 00:21:45,520 --> 00:21:48,040 It's got, 'Swim between the flags' on the other side. 427 00:21:48,040 --> 00:21:50,800 Nice. So... There we go with that. 428 00:21:50,800 --> 00:21:52,680 Officially in Australia. Officially in Australia now. 429 00:21:52,680 --> 00:21:55,160 All I know about cactuses is they like the desert, 430 00:21:55,160 --> 00:21:58,040 so I don't know how Gary would go in the surf.