Lifesavers with Pride, the national group of gay and lesbian Australian surf lifesavers are reporting that new lifesaver recruits have doubled in the past 12 months.  The national body are directly linking the increase in numbers to the visibility lifesavers gained from its debut during the 2007 Mardi Gras Parade.  And with the 30th Anniversary of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade around the corner, bigger things are expected.

“Gays and lesbians have literally been flocking to the beach over the past 4 months and doing their Bronze Medallion, the qualification that enables them to become active lifesavers of Australian beaches,” commented spokesman for Lifesavers with Pride, Ronan McSweeney.  “Bondi, North Bondi, Tamarama or Bronte; the clubs we have a direct involvement with, have recorded a doubling of candidates from previous years.

In one Bronze Squad, almost half were either gay or lesbian.  And we’ve heard from our members in other states that there has been more interest than ever before.”

One such new recruit is Michael Webster, recently moving to Sydney from Queensland he received his Bronze Medallion in November 2007.  “Seeing the guys and girls in last year’s Mardi Gras made me reconsider the lifesaving movement completely.  I’ve always loved swimming, but I never thought I would be the right fit for lifesaving.  I’m so glad I was wrong, because the skills I have learnt have given me the ability to save someone’s life.  And that’s a very powerful skill to have.”

Surf Life Saving Australia, the governing body of Australian lifesavers, once again officially supports its member who will march in the parade.  Float organisers are pleased to announce lifesavers from West Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria will join their NSW colleagues for the 30th anniversary of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

The exact float details will be revealed on Saturday, 1 March but the crowd of 300,000 can expect a lot more than last year, and in the case of swimwear, a lot less.  “We can’t reveal too much yet, but we’ll whet your appetite with the following clue – ‘whether you’re gay, straight or lesbian, whatever floats your boat, surf lifesaving is for everyone!” concluded Ronan McSweeney.

If you are a gay or lesbian lifesaver and would like to meet others or you would like to be in the on the Mardi Gras float, please click the links below.

Tags: gay australia, gay men, lesbian, lifesavers