Bondi has different moods.
There's chill Bondi.
Sun soaked, laid back.
But every so often it becomes a wild beast.
When a big swell hits, Bondi lifeguards start salivating.
Oh, that's a big one. Yeah.
All week I was excited to come to work on the weekend
'cause I knew the surf was going to be big.
MAN: Look at this one. No way.
Oh!
Yeah, the surf was, like, eight to 10 foot
and we probably get two or three swells like that a year,
but that one was the biggest one yet.
The swell, driven by a powerful cold front...
..has scared away swimmers,
but the huge conditions
are the perfect training ground for lifeguards.
Yeah, this is awesome training to go out and you're going to learn
more in big surf on a day like that
than you would in 10 days when it's smaller.
Break.
It was myself, Boo and Mario.
Generally, when it gets that big,
you can't really paddle from the beach.
We were fortunate enough to have the jet skis,
so I hopped on the back with Mario.
That's how I got out.
I've seen a monster coming towards me.
Oh!
You know, like, wow, this is...
..pretty, pretty big.
Veteran lifeguard Boo is a noted big wave surfer.
But a swell like this still strikes fear.
When it is big, I've got butterflies and stuff sometimes before I go out,
and then you get out there
and build up the confidence to take off on one.
Then once you've made it, it's just like full-on relief.
Like, you can't explain the feeling,
but, yeah, that's what brings you back.
MITCH: It's just leaving your comfort zone
and you're kind of vulnerable as well out there
trying to ride these big waves.
You've just got to be really switched on
and in tune with the ocean.
I just had to jump off because I was just right on the detonation zone.
Just got pumped.
Got sand in every hole possible on my body right here.
MITCH: Everyone's been doing this swell up all week,
so, yeah, everyone was keen to get out there
and everyone's hootin' each other, which was mad.
(WHISTLING)
(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)
Mario was poppin' off out there.
Yeah, baby. Whoo!
That last one was a bit of a rag doll on the left.
Heaps of crew on it.
Yeah, the boys are dominating out there.
Yeah. Nah, it's all been good. It's been a good day.
With the big waves scaring off swimmers,
Maxi decides it's a good time to hone his jet ski skills.
MAN: 'Cause I'm a casual lifeguard, I'm not down here full time.
So whenever I get a chance, when it's a bit quieter, the surf's up,
it's a little bit rough and dangerous.
You know, it's good to get those skills in.
While the ski is an invaluable rescue tool,
it also weighs over 300 kilos and needs careful handling.
These conditions are the trickiest conditions for jet ski
'cause the wind's blowing onshore, there's whitecaps.
It's easy to capsize it.
Last season I capsized it and Maxi was in the buggy.
He came to help me.
Big wave just came out of nowhere and I timed it really badly, and...
Oh, Glick! Glick's over. Oh, no.
Before I knew it, it just flipped.
Got tumbled under a wave.
It was a pretty big wave.
It's a really heavy piece of machinery.
Maxi came and helped me.
Could have been really, really bad.
Yeah, yeah. All good.
So I was very fortunate.
So on the lifeguard leaderboard of jet ski ability
Maxi's at the very, very top.
He's driven jet skis from Sydney to Far North Queensland.
So if there's anyone that wouldn't flip the jet ski
in crazy conditions, it's Maxi.
MAXI: When we say we train, we go out there, we do figure of eights.
We pretend that there's patients within the impact zone.
We get nice and close to the rocks to kind of simulate that
there's a rock rescue, uh, a body retrieval.
You know, just timing through the waves,
knowing where to position yourself on the jet ski when you hit waves.
At least Maxi doesn't have swimmers to worry about.
Only the very brave or very foolish would go into the water today.
Got it.
Which category are these guys in?
GLICK: There's been no-one swimming all day.
We just launched a jet ski.
This is a little bit weird, you know.
Head in, guys.
Head in.
I saw that they started to drift out.
Kind of did a few laps around them,
noticed that they were drifting quite fast.
The lady that was in the group started to freak out a bit.
I knew the weight was going to be an issue,
so I got the gentleman to jump up on the back with me to hold on.
Yeah.
In these conditions, just picking up three people on a jet ski is a feat.
But disaster is always just a wave away.
Oh, no.
In the middle of a triple rescue in pounding surf...
..Maxi rolls the jet ski.
I kind of hit the wave and a bit of the weight shifted on the jet ski.
It was too much momentum, so we fell in the water.
Oh, no!
The huge surf obscures Glick's view.
He doesn't see Maxi come unstuck.
I've always been taught, never let go of your craft.
Hold on.
I knew that the jet ski was going to go back upright,
kind of rolled back.
And then once I was like that, I shot off with it.
With the trio back in the water, Maxi has to try a different approach.
Come back around and grab the patients, one by one, actually
Three people is too hard.
Flew in, dropped her off.
And went back out.
The three friends from England and Canada
are staying in western Sydney.
The men work as - wait for it -
lifeguards.
We're staying at Penrith.
If you know it, shout out Penrith Wake Park.
We do lifeguarding there.
Not, obviously, not with the waves so it's a bit different.
We were swimming.
We kept going farther out and buddy on the jet ski there came through.
So, you know...
After his jet ski mishap,
Maxi is bracing for some good natured ribbing from Glick.
So I come in with a sly smirk on my face,
waiting for him to give it to me.
Waiting for him to feed me. That's one for one.
But nothing was said.
I gave myself up and he goes,
"What are you talking about? No, you didn't."
The waves are so big
that he just got hidden behind one of those waves.
I mean, if I did see it at the time,
I would have raced in like he did, you know.
Yeah, it was pretty crazy.
The heavy weather is gone,
replaced by blue skies and sand-scorching temperatures.
It's the hottest day of the year so far,
the mercury hitting the mid 30s.
But not everyone lying on the beach is relaxing.
MAN: A member of the public said there's a woman downstairs
who's covered in sand and unconscious.
Hey. (CLICKS FINGERS)
Hey.
Excuse me.
When I first saw her, I thought it was pretty bad.
Can you see me?
Her face was just covered in sand.
Do you know where you are?
Know where you are?
(WHISTLES SOFTLY) Wake up.
Wake up.
You've been drinking alcohol?
She presented as an intoxicated patient.
Or so I thought, substance use.
She was just so out of it.
Can you help me out here? You going to get up?
Attagirl.
A little bit of sand on you. You'll be alright.
Come with me.
It's alright, I'll bring them up for you.
Just come... Hey.
I kept trying to wake her up and she'd come to
and then she'd drop out again.
Come to, drop out again.
She was like, passing out, like super incoherent.
And there was no function in her...in her limbs.
I need you to get up for me.
But then as I was inspecting the situation,
she didn't smell of alcohol at all.
Hey, uh...
It's super important in this job not to jump to conclusions.
If you jump to conclusions and you give the wrong diagnosis,
you could treat them the wrong way and it could make things worse.
Yeah. You're alright, mate.
Is there anyone that we can call?
You're not fine.
On a blisteringly hot day,
a woman has just collapsed in the shadow of the lifeguard tower.
Now come over here.
I assumed that she's probably been on the drink.
And you're just...you're playing to and fro the whole time.
Hey, hey, hey. Just don't worry about your stuff.
It's all safe.
But she didn't smell of alcohol.
Will dispenses with any bedside manner.
Hey, look at me. Look at me.
I need you to open your eyes and focus.
Wake up.
Now follow my hand. Follow this finger.
You can only be really gentle for so long.
You kind of just have to put your foot down
because you've got to work out what is the problem?
Where do you live? Hey, I need you to start paying attention.
I know it's hard, so focus on me. Look at me.
Do you have any medical conditions?
No.
How did you get here?
OK. You walked from Coogee.
Coogee is 6km south of Bondi.
She said, "I walked from Coogee, and I'm like, "OK."
It's stinking hot, that terrain sucks.
She's probably not used to it.
She's carrying a backpack, camera and everything.
So I ruled out alcohol and just went straight to heatstroke.
How much water have you had to drink?
You're exhausted? Ah.
And she had like a 1.5 litre bottle for water.
It was almost full and I was like,
"OK, you've walked from Coogee to here on this day.
"That's nowhere near enough."
So straightaway I was like, severe heatstroke.
(DEVICE BEEPS) Need and ambo down for her.
Yeah, please. Thank you.
Hey?
It was a bloody hot day.
Like, really, really hot.
Need to try and drink some water.
Heatstroke, it's too much time in the sun,
not enough water.
You need to get fluids into you, electrolytes,
and you need to get cool.
I'm gonna take you upstairs where it's aircon, it's nice and cool.
Give me your hands, give me your hands.
Use your legs.
If left untreated, on a severe case like this woman,
she could die from dehydration,
respiratory problems, cardiac arrest, organ failure.
The heat, it cooks you from the inside.
Yeah.
So when she sort of passed out on the stairs,
I kind of went a bit rogue on the technique
and just threw her over my shoulder.
MAN: You alright, mate?
My method wasn't exactly in the lifeguard manual,
a bit unorthodox, but sure enough, you know, we got it done.
Sip some water.
Sip very slowly.
As soon as we got her in the aircon, got her on the bed,
slowly getting her to sip water...
Starting to feel a bit better?
..it was a night and day difference.
She was talking to me.
Reckon you got some good photos?
(LAUGHS)
I was like, "Oh, so you like photography?"
It was good to see her improve so fast
for something that was actually quite severe at the start.
A bit dry? Not much water or not enough water today?
Yeah. Yeah. After checking her vital signs...
Oxygen level's good, heart rate's good.
..paramedics give her the all clear to go home.
Jeez, look at you. Pep in your step, ready to go.
Good stuff, mate.
Very welcome.
Stay safe, stay cool, stay out of the sun.
There was a good feeling sending her on her way,
seeing her walk up towards the bus stop, heading home.
Hopefully she's learnt her lesson.
She buys water next time, drink the whole bloody thing,
not a little bit of it.
North Bondi is family central,
sometimes known as Kiddies Corner.
Hello.
Mario is minding his own business...
Agh! That's strong.
..when he gets a surprise visit.
Super Mario. Like me. Huh?
I'm Super Mario.
So I was looking after the north corner, Kiddies Corner.
No shame... (INDISTINCT)
This little kid, he jumped on the buggy and then sat next to me.
You want to drive?
Young Anton is carrying out a snap vehicle inspection.
Can I see your license?
Sometimes the kids are interested, but also intimidated.
But this kid had no fear whatsoever and he wants to drive.
This...he's coming with me for the next rescue, yeah?
Who knows? Maybe one day he's going to end up a lifeguard.
Maybe.
After all, that's what happened
to a little boy in Italy many years ago.
(SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY) Thank you.
I was born in Italy, in Naples.
One day, my brother, he took me in the water when there were waves.
I was so happy to be in that ocean.
So I thought, I want to chase my dream to be a lifeguard
somewhere in the world.
So I learned lifesaving skills.
I moved from Italy when I was 24.
I applied for a job down here and my dream came true.
You know, I got the job.
10 years later, Mario is still keeping a close eye
on Bondi's beachgoers.
(DEVICE BEEPS)
Copy.
A group of teenagers is struggling in the most dangerous section of surf.
The South Corner,
it's the worst place you could go swimming in Bondi.
Lots of water is moving around the area.
Things can turn quickly, blink of your eye.
(HORN TOOTS)
Yeah, I'm going in.
They went right into the strongest rip.
They were trying to come back straight to the beach
and swimming against the current, which wasn't bringing them anywhere.
Mario is battling against the odds.
One lifeguard with one board
versus three panicking patients and a raging rip.
I was on my own.
I could not take three all together.
Hey! I'm coming, I'm coming!
Mario is trying to save three teenagers from a powerful rip
in Bondi's South Corner.
I was on my own.
I could not take three altogether.
It's a moment where you think, "Who else can come and help?"
Or I have to manage it by myself.
MAN: I was off that day.
Mario probably went into the rescue
hoping they were going to send another buggy,
but at the time the buggy was quite a way away,
so it was my duty to give Mario a hand.
Luckily, there's a spare rescue board stationed nearby.
In the morning we set up the beach
and we all set up stations of boards.
If there is a rescue situation, there's a second board.
Hang on me.
Mario was a bit caught off guard when he saw me pop up,
because he knew that I wasn't working on the day.
Yeah.
Lo and behold, there I was, backing him up.
So that's what mates are for, I guess.
Yeah, I felt that relief.
You know, like, happy to see him 'cause other boys,
they may be busy in other part of the beach and doing rescues.
Sometimes I feel like the people do think they're fine,
but if the lifeguards aren't on,
there would be hundreds of drownings down at this beach.
It is amazing how oblivious some of our patients are
to how close they were to death.
Mustafa and Fahad have learned a tough lesson about the perils
hidden beneath Bondi's beauty.
Yeah.
But Mario has some more local knowledge to share.
Bring me back a pistachio flavour.
It's my favourite for sure. (CHUCKLES)
You know, I saved your life.
Please. Pay back.
After two decades of having their exploits shown worldwide,
the Bondi lifeguards have their own legion of fans
who travel a long way to meet their heroes,
like young Kiwi, Jacob.
I noticed your shirt. Pretty cool. My name's Jackson.
And looks like he's been to the merch tent.
And there's Sanjay from Mumbai.
Look, the people have come down from all around the world.
There's places that you can't believe
they actually know who you are.
Hi. Hi.
Even Prime Minister Anthony Albanese...
I feel overdressed.
..AKA, Albo, has toured the tower this season.
How many people would you have on duty at peak hour?
Six for 30,000. So 5,000 each.
I guess there's no pressure.
Yeah, you fit in because everyone gets a nickname.
So Albo fits in perfect.
Yeah. Chappo and...
In some circles, Hoppo is a bigger drawcard
than a mere prime minister.
Champion!
Couple of people yelled out my name and they said,
"We want a photo," and...
Legend. Thank you. All good.
Albo sort of got pushed to the side.
When I tried to get Albo into the shot,
"No, no, no, we only want Hoppo. Don't worry about Albo."
I don't know, he might not like me now. A bit embarrassed.
(CHUCKLES)
Today another fan has made a pilgrimage to the tower,
and he's a bit of a prickly character.
My name is Thomas. I'm from the Netherlands.
Your friend here is Gary.
I travel with him all around the world and then try to take
some pictures at iconic locations.
So saw the opera house already,
so I think one of his big dreams
is to meet one of the lifeguards from Bondi Rescue.
It's Gary the cactus' lucky day.
Who's on duty, but the man Albo got elbowed for - Hoppo himself.
Hello, mate. Hello.
How are you? Good. How are you?
Good. What are you up to?
With Gary today at the beach. Oh, Gary?
Yeah, Gary. Yeah! (LAUGHS)
The cactus. Well, some would say I'm cactus...
Oh, look, this one ranks pretty high on strange encounters with fans.
I never came down to meet a cactus before.
Just started as fun. We bought him at the market.
I took him on a trip. Been everywhere.
All around the world? All around the world.
First time Australia, yes.
Gary's been touring more than Taylor Swift.
Milan, Suriname, America, Korea.
Basically, has been to every continent.
I've got something you could add to it.
That would be lovely. Bondi lifeguards.
It's got, 'Swim between the flags' on the other side.
Nice. So... There we go with that.
Officially in Australia. Officially in Australia now.
All I know about cactuses is they like the desert,
so I don't know how Gary would go in the surf.