A.K.A. “Harries”
Lifeguarding for 14 years.
A.K.A “Yak”
Nickname:Yak or Roberto
Lifeguarding for:14 years
Local Beach:Bondi
What drew you to lifeguarding?Kerrbox talked me into it over a stubbie!
What’s your most memorable rescue?I rescued a little boy at Bondi who was completely unconscious who wasn’t responding, but in the end he did.
What do you think are the most important characteristics of a lifeguard?Being able to concentrate and have an understanding of the ocean.
Have you ever had to be rescued?Not yet, hopefully I will have retired before I need to be rescued!
If I weren’t a lifeguard I’d be:I am a paramedic as well. I love both jobs.
In my spare time I like to:My little girl is my world so try to spend every spare minute with her, but I find time for a surf and game of touch and golf on the odd occassion.
Are the massive crowds merely a challenge or is there something exciting about working on such a busy beach?Always a challenge working here.
Would you recomend you cild becomes a lifeguard when they are old enough?Hmmm tough question… I have a daughter, I’m sure she will find another occupation but I wouldn’t be disappointed if she wanted to become a lifeguard.
Greg Bishop
A.K.A “Bisho”
Bisho is devilishly good looking and a born athlete. In 2005 Bisho was the Australian Belt Swim Champion and is one of the best surf swimmers in the world.
Years as lifeguard:8 years
Home beach:North Bondi
What drew you to lifeguarding?The ocean
What’s your most memorable rescue?My first ever, being a naked Oriental man.
What do you think are the most important characteristics of a lifeguard?Good people skills. Great water skills/knowledge.
Have you ever had to be rescued?WhenI was 4 years old my spade got stuck in a rip and I decided to try getting it.
If I weren’t a lifeguard, I’d be:A fashion designer.
Bruce Hopkins
A.K.A “Hoppo”
Hoppo is still the top man on Bondi Beach.
Over the past 10 years he’s been involved in mass rescues, body retrievals and more resuscitations than any other lifeguard, earning the Australian Lifeguard of the Year Award in 2006.
As well as being a strong leader, he’s a well respected waterman and competitor, recently winning two gold medals at the Australian Surf Life Saving titles in the double ski and board paddle.
He expects this season to be the busiest yet on Bondi and as such is rallying the troops to the challenge.
Years as lifeguard:19 years
Home beach:Bronte
What is your most memorable experience as a lifeguard?When you rescue someone who has no pulse and not breathing and then bringing then back to life, this is very satisfying and the memory stays forever.
Tell us one thing about you people may not know:I have been competing in surf events and training since the age of 6 yrs
Chris Chapman
A.K.A “Chapo”
Chapo’s most intense rescue was reviving a young man who had been struck by lightning.
Nickname:Chapo
Lifeguarding for:10 years
Local Beach:Bronte
Where did you work before Bondi, and what made you choose Bondi?I used to - and still do - work at Swell Restaurant.I chose Waverley Council because I know and love all three beaches.
What’s the funniest thing that you’ve seen on the beach?I’ve seen some amazing nudie runs for the locals and lifeguards. You’ve got to love a good nudie run!
What’s the most intense rescue that yo’ve been a part of?There was once a young doctor who was struck by lightening. It was intense, and luckily we managed to revive him.
What advice do you have for anyone wanting to become a lifeguard?Start surfing or get involved in some type of ocean activity. This way you get a greater understanding of how to identify rips. The more you understand the ocean the better lifeguard you will become.
What’s it like when there is an emergency?It can get pretty out of control. The big crowds and public can make it hard.
Dean Gladstone
A.K.A “Deano”
Even as a kid, Deano wanted to be a lifesaver soalways wanted to ride the lifesaver quad bikes!
Nickname:Deano
Starsign:Virgo
How long have you been a lifeguard?For12 years
Where did you work before Bondi, and what made you chose Bondi?Before lifeguarding, I was a plumber. How good was my change of career? Best thing I’ve ever done. Now I work with a lot of my best friends.
What’s the most intense rescue you’ve been a part of?A doctor was struck by lightning; we picked him up and transported him to shelter under a tunnel. While we were performing CPR on him, his friends (also doctors) were arguing with us – until they realised we knew what we were doing!
Have you ever been scared for your life?Diving down to the shark nets with Reidy after a shark attack was pretty scary.
What do you think are the most important characteristics of a lifeguard?Having people skills and lateral thinking on your feet.
A situation can turn from fun-and-games to life-and-death in a heartbeat. Does this keep your adrenaline rushing all the time?It sure does! We did an experiment one day with GPS and heart rate monitors, which showed the physical stress of lifeguarding. On a busy day we’re buzzing and then get home and sleep like a baby!
What was your first rescue like?Easy, the next 19 in 2 hours opened my eyes though, all on Christmas Day.
Have women ever claimed to be in danger, just to have a handsome lifeguard save them?Everyone does, to get a ride on the jet-ski’s!
Dunstan Foss
A.K.A “Dunno”
Lifeguarding for:4 years
What drew you to lifeguarding?The idea of spending all day at the beach is pretty mad!
What’s your most memorable rescue?Trying to rescue a 120kg dude! Was a bit of a challenge as you can imagine!
What do you think are the most important characteristics of a lifeguard?To love your work!
If I weren’t a lifeguard, I would be?I would love to shape surf boards.
In my spare time I like to:Surf, skate and get creative.
If I could spend a day with anyone dead of alive it would be:I would love to surf a perfect point break with Dave Rastovich and Rob Machado in Afra.
One thing you wouldn’t know about me:I’m a bit of a nerd.
Harry Nightingale
A.K.A “H”
H is also the son of the original Olympic swimming coach from Bondi!
Nickname:Hman, Midnight, Jimitt, Sooty
Lifeguarding for:15 years
Local Beach:Bondi
What drew you to lifeguarding?My natural aptitude for the job.
What’s your most memorable rescue?A Korean man pulled by hair and it actually stopped him from getting caught in a rip!
What do you think are the most important characteristics of a lifeguard?Having a relaxed attitude in extreme situations.
Have you ever had to be rescued?I took a wipe out and twisted my neck and was paralysed on one side. Col my friend had to tow me in by the leg rope.
If I weren’t a lifeguard I’d be:be a poet.
In my spare time I like to:relax, listen to music and practice yoga.
If I could spend a day with any person dead or alive it would be:Guy Hostings – my best mate
Jake Nolan
A.K.A “Squishy”
Nickname:Squishy, red red, ranga
Lifeguarding for:3 years
Local Beach:Freshwater
What’s your most memorable rescue?Most rescues around Bronte are interesting.
What do you think are the most important characteristics of a lifeguard?You need to be focused, have good people skills, a good attitude and be fit and healthy.
Have you ever had to be rescued?Not as yet!
If I weren’t a lifeguard I’d be:a garbage man.
In my spare time I like to:hang out with my friends, surf and party.
If I could spend a day with anyone dead of alive it would be:Anthony Kiedis from Red Hot Chilli Peppers circa 1980s.
One thing you wouldn’t know about me:I have a fish named Gordon.
Matt Dee
Lifeguarding for:6 years
Local Beach:Bronte
What drew you to lifeguarding?The lifestyle and working with my mates everyday.
What’s your most memorable rescue?My first year lifeguarding, I won “Rescue of the Year” for saving a rescue policeman and patient off the cliffs at the gap –we werein the water for 4 hours.
Have you ever had to be rescued?No.
If I weren’t a lifeguard I’d be:Sitting in a hammock in El Salvador.
In my spare time I like to:Stay busy with my business, Good Times Coaching,where we help people increase the good times in their life
If I could spend a day with anyone dead or alive it would be:My brother and sister.
One thing you wouldn’t know about me:Nothing I can tell you!
Michael Jenkinson
A.K.A “Mouse”
Age:29
Lifeguarding for:4 years
Local Beach:Bronte
What drew you to lifeguarding?Being able to work with my friends.
What’s your most memorable rescue?On the back of a police boat about 500m off Ben Buckler (in North Bondi) The patient was airlifted off the boat by a helicopter.
What do you think are the most important characteristics of a lifeguard?You must be fit and have an understanding of the water.
Have you ever had to be rescued?No.
In my spare time I like to…surf, hang with my friends down at the beach and listen to music.
If I could spend a day with anyone dead of alive it would be:Extreme sports star, Travis Pastrana.
One thing you wouldn’t know about me:I’m actually6”2.
Rod Kerr
A.K.A “Kerr box”
Lifeguarding for:18 years
Have you always wanted to be a lifeguard?It seemed like a natural progression from surfing.
What’s the funniest thing that you have seen on the beach?Watching “Reidy” go over the handle bars of the ATV while flying down to do a rescue at 3rd ramp! He got a standing ovation from the crowd on the beach!
What’s the most intense rescue you’ve been a part of?“Hoppo” and I had to rescue a big man at Bronte in 8-foot surf. It took us about 40 minutes to get him in but we finally did!
What do you think are the most important characteristics of a lifeguard? Paying attention and being observant.
Do the cameras put more pressure on you while you’re performing a rescue? What cameras?!?!
Ryan Clarke
A.KA. “Whippet”
Nickname:Whippet
Age:27
Lifeguarding for:8 years
Local Beach:Bronte
What drew you to lifeguarding?The lifestyle - I spend so much time at the beach it seemed like a good idea to get paid for it!
What was your first rescue like?My first rescue was in Winter, saving somewhere who was drowning in Bronte. I was about 12 years old.
What'sw the funniest thing that you have seen on the beach?The practical joke we played on Kerr Box, or when Chappo rescued the nude man and hugged him back on the beach!
What’s it like when there is an emergency?Fun. It’s good to get involved in the heavy situations to see how you react and and perform.
Do the cameras put more pressure on you while you’re performing? Not really. We’re so used to them being there that we hardly ever notice them.
Have you ever had to be rescued?Not yet!
If I weren’t a lifeguard I’d be:A professional prankster.
Terry McDermott
A.KA. “Moondog”
Lifeguarding for:30 years
What’s the funniest thing that you have seen on the beach?A beach sprinter who used to race against himself over 50 metres- but the best bit is that he used tobreak the start and argue with an imaginary official…strange!
What’s the most intense rescue you have been a part of?A river mouth rescue, using a paddleboard on the run out tide with three patient’s on board. Each patient was 100 metres apart when found.
What’s the greatest lesson you have learnt while being a lifeguard?That your family, friends and general public don’t think it’s dishonourbale to be paid for the wonderful work we all do.
What do you think are the most important characteristics of a lifeguard? I think you must first love the ocean, and also be able to accept that the role goes beyond the flags and involves full beach management.
Have women ever claimed to be in danger, just yo have a handsome lifeguard save them?A long time ago it used to happen all the time! Now I see Dusta and Maxy get all the requests. Am I getting old?!?
Trent Maxwell
A.K.A “Maxi”
Age:20
Lifeguarding for:5 years
Local Beach:Maroubra
What drew you to lifeguarding?Ever since I was a kid I have been interested in helping other people and surfing. That is the best of both worlds.
What’s your most memorable rescue?My most memorable rescue happenedlast season while Troy and I were in the tower. We spotted two people going under and Troy sped over in the rhino and I grabbed the board and raced out and just got them in time. As I grabbed one guy he looked at me and said “thank you for saving my life, I was gone”. That’s one of the reasons why I love this job.
What advice you do have for anyone wanting to become a lifeguard? Learn how to sign - it’s the only way you can communicate with people who can’t swim and can’t speak English.
What do you think are the most important characteristics of a lifeguard?You need to have a good personality, drive, dedication and be responsible.
What’s the funniest thing you’ve seen on the beach?A person who couldn’t swim and had lost their underwear!
If I weren’t a lifeguard I’d be:A firefighter
In my spare time I like to:Surf, travel and enjoy life.
If I could spend a day with anyone dead of alive it would be:The Hoff - mission accomplished!
One thing you wouldn’t know about me:I am terrified of spiders and snakes.