Ashdod city delegation researches Australian surflife saving techniques

A delegation from the City of Ashdod has spent a week observing and examining Australian surf life saving procedures with a view of returning to Israel with techniques, procedures and protocols that could possibly transform surf life saving operations in Israel.

The delegation was hosted by Australian Friends of SLSI, the Australian arm of Surf Life Saving Israel (SLSI).

Steve Rubner,  President of Surf Life Saving Israel, said “We welcomed the visit of our Ashdod colleagues, and recognise that this visit will hopefully further advance the introduction and establishment  of Australian standard surf life saving procedures into Israel, by the City of Ashdod,  thereby further contributing to our ambition of furthering surf safety and surf awareness in the goal of saving of lives on Israel’s beaches.”

Ashdod is situated in the south of Israel and is Israel’s 4^th largest city.

Led by Arie Tourgeman, Director of Beaches, the delegation includes Aryella Rosenthal the head of International Relations in the City of Ashdod, Avi Rimon, Ashdod Lifeguard and two Directors of Surf Life Saving Israel, David Levy and Jacob Pinto. In addition to reviewing the latest techniques being utilised by Australian life guards and life savers the delegation’s goal is to advance the profile of Ashdod in Sydney as a destination for tourism, commerce and culture.

In July 2015 SLSI introduced an Australian style Nipper program into Israel. This was initially a strategic partnership between SLSI and Surf Life Saving Australia. The program was quickly adopted and supported by the Ashdod City so that it is now the landmark of water safety education for Israeli Children. Steve Rubner said “Ashdod was the first city in Israel to recognise the benefits of supporting our programs. Without this foothold in Ashdod and the City’s continued support we would not now be on the verge of launching new Nipper clubs across the coastline of the State of Israel.”