International cricketing superstar Chris Lynn has lent his profile to promote Surf Life Saving Queensland’s new campaign ‘It’s the risks you don’t take, that make you safer’ ahead of the Easter and public holiday period.
With three long weekends coming up, lifesavers and lifeguards are anticipating beaches and camp sites to be packed along the Queensland coastline.
The campaign aims to raise awareness in men under the age of 50 who engage in risk-taking behaviour while at the beach, as tragically, this demographic is overrepresented in coastal drowning statistics, with 75 per cent of the drownings on the Queensland coastline last year men under the age of 50.
Lynn has admitted to himself participating in risk-taking behaviour at the beach after consuming alcohol.
“I love a drink as much as anyone and I have to admit on the rare occasion I have gone in for a dip in the water after drinking,” he said.
“I was just doing it to try and impress everyone and looking back now if I had of known what I do now, I wouldn’t do it.”
This campaign is close to Lynn’s heart, as he has experienced losing someone in these circumstances first hand and was shocked by the death of jockey Chris Caserta at Surfers Paradise in December.
“I had a close mate jump off the rocks into water and he passed away. It’s something very close to me,” he said.
“I have a passion for being on the beach and the water and I want to help drive these statistics down.”
Surf Life Saving Queensland Lifesaving services manager Natalie Edwards thanked Lynn for lending his voice to this campaign.
“Too often we are seeing young men get into trouble while at the beach, with the average age of the people we rescued last year 24 years old,” she said.
“Since the start of our season (September 18 2021) SLSQ services including lifeguards and volunteer lifesavers have rescued 2415 swimmers in distress.
“This Easter we want everyone to have a great time and enjoy themselves, but minimise their personal risks as much as they can.
“So this Easter, please take responsibility for your own actions.
“We all know that drinking and swimming and swimming at unpatrolled locations is risky behaviour.
“That’s why we’re simply asking everyone this Easter to reduce those risks as much as possible and to always look out for your mates.”
