Bondi Rescue

***Bondi Rescue*** is an Australian factual television program that is broadcast on Channel Ten. The program, which has aired since 2006, follows the daily lives and routines of the Waverley Council professional lifeguards who patrol Bondi Beach.

*Bondi Rescue* was first broadcast in 2006. A spin-off, set in Bali, Indonesia, also briefly screened in 2008. *Bondi Rescue* is also broadcast internationally throughout 100 countries.

The show was created and produced by part-time lifeguard Ben Davies. It is narrated by British-Australian presenter and host Andrew Günsberg.

## Overview

The Bondi lifeguards perform around five thousand rescues over the summer period. They also deal with other incidents, including lost children, shark scares, bluebottle stings, injuries, sexual deviants, drunk beachgoers, and thieves on the beach. Every once in a while, celebrities also make appearances on their shores. These have included actors/comedians David Hasselhoff and Kelly Slater (stars of the US lifeguards fiction show Baywatch), Hugh Grant, Zac Efron, Rowan Atkinson, Paris Hilton, Russell Crowe, entrepreneur Richard Branson, musician Snoop Dogg, Steve Irwin, Bindi Irwin, and the Indian Cricket Team. Bondi veterinarian Chris Brown repeatedly appeared on Bondi beach, meeting lifeguards, in his own show Bondi Vet.

Bondi also has its Annual Lifeguard Ironman Challenge, which tests the skills of each lifeguard with a two-kilometer run from Bondi to local beach Tamarama, then a one-kilometer swim to nearby Bronte Beach, followed by a two-kilometer board-paddle back to Bondi. The race is handicapped: the more accomplished swimmers and board paddlers set off from Bondi later (up to twelve minutes, depending on how many competitors there are).

Footage for the show is shot during the preceding Australian summer (usually between November and February), with certain episodes reflecting incidents during Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and Australia Day. Noteworthy incidents at nearby Tamarama and Bronte Beaches, which the lifeguards are also responsible for, are occasionally shown. Later seasons also featured footage of lifeguard trials and training exercises from the middle of the year. The training in the middle of the year is a trial to test the lifeguards' fitness, strength, and ability. It consists of an 800-meter swim in under thirteen-and-a-half minutes in a swimming pool, then a 600-meter swim surf and two 600-meter runs on the sand at Bondi, which should be completed in under 25 minutes. It is also a test for trainee lifeguards to show they can commit to the role of a lifeguard. If the competitors do not complete the tasks within the time limit, they are eliminated and do not advance to the next test.

Many rescue boards and jet skis have a camera attached for close-up footage. When deemed safe to do so, the cameraman accompanies the lifeguards out to sea and has even had to assist with rescue operations on several occasions.

The production company pays Waverley Council $139,000 per year and a percentage of profits to film the program, and the Council also holds "review rights" to ensure content is acceptable to their practices.

## The lifeguards

These men and women work at Bondi, as well as Tamarama and Bronte beaches, so they may or may not appear on the show dependent on where/when they are working when filming is happening at Bondi.

=== Current === (based on viewing as of season 17 -aired Apr-Jun 2023)

* Aaron "Azza B." Buchan - appeared on seasons: 1, 3-4, 6, 8-11, 15, 17
* Andrew "Reidy" Reid - appeared on seasons: 1-17
* Anthony "Harries" Carroll - appeared on seasons: 1-17 <twin brother of Sean>
* Anthony "Glick" Glick - appeared on seasons: 10-17 (trainee 10/11) ~from South Africa
* Ben "Quiggers" Quigley - appeared on seasons: 1-8, 11-12, 16-17
* Bruce "Hoppo" Hopkins - appeared on seasons 1-17 [Head Lifeguard]
* Chase Hardaker - appeared on seasons: 15-17
* Chris "Chappo/Chips" Chapman - appeared on seasons 1-17
* Corey Oliver - appeared on seasons: 1-13, 16-17
* Daniel "Beardy" McLaughlin - appeared on seasons: 1-2, 4-17
* Dean "Deano" Gladstone - appeared on seasons: 1-17 (fired 2022, rehired since)
* Gavin "Bagus" Stevenson - appeared on seasons: 14-17
* Harrison "Lionel Hutz" Reid - appeared on seasons 9-17 (trainee seasons 9/10) ~from New Zealand
* Jack Curtis - appeared on seasons: 14-17
* Jackson "Jacko" Doolan - appeared on seasons: 11-17
* Jake Nolan - appeared on seasons: 4-17 (academy 4, trainee 5/6)
* Joel "Joel B." Bevilacqua - appeared on seasons: 12-16
* Joel Bolewski - appeared on seasons: 16-17
* Kailan "KC" Collins - appeared on seasons: 1-10, 12, 14-15, 17
* Lachlan "Lachie" McArthur - appeared on seasons 12-17 (trainee 13)
* Lukas "Boo" Wong - appeared on seasons: 13-17
* Luke "Faddy" Faddy - appeared on seasons: 14-17
* Mario "Muzza" Marfella - appeared on seasons: 10-11, 14-17 ~from Italy
* Quinn "Quinno" Darragh - appeared on seasons: 2, 4-9, 11-12, 14-17 [paramedic]
* Ryan "Whippet" Clark - appeared on seasons: 1-12, 14-17 [child actor]
* Tom "Egg" Bunting - appeared on seasons: 1-11, 17
* Trent "Singlets" Falson - appeared on seasons: 10-15, 17
* Trent "Maxi" Maxwell - appeared on seasons: 3-12, 14-17 (trainee 3-5) [Firefighter] <cousin of Ryan Yerbury>
* Troy "Gonzo" Quinlan - appeared on seasons: 1, 3-17
* Wally Eggleton - appeared on seasons: 12-15, 17
* William "Will" Bigelow - appeared on seasons: 14-17

### Former

* Aaron "Azza" Graham - appeared on seasons 1-12 <brother of Kobi>
* Adrian "Taco" Kovacic - appeared on seasons: 8-9 (trainee 8/9)
* Adriel "Bacon" Young - appeared on seasons: 4-9 (trainee 4/5)
* Alexander "Koops" Koops - appeared on seasons: 16-17
* Andrew "Pine" O'Sullivan - appeared on seasons: 1
* Andy "Mole" Mole - appeared on seasons: 16-17
* Beau Day - appeared on seasons: 3
* Ben "Benny" Davies - appeared on seasons: 3, 6, 10
* Ben Sutherland - appeared on seasons: 1-7
* Blake McKeown - appeared on seasons 2-3 (trainee 2/3)
* Bobby "Yak" Yaldwyn - appeared on seasons: 1-10, 12 (as a paramedic) [paramedic]
* Brad "Mal" Malyon - appeared on seasons: 3-6, 9 [photographer]
* Brooke Cassell - appeared on seasons: 2-3
* Chris Emery - appeared on seasons: 11, 13-14
* Chris "Thaney" Thane - appeared on seasons: 1-3
* Clint "Klipper" Kimmins - appeared on seasons: 14-16 (fired 2022)
* Corey Adams - appeared on seasons: 1-3 [Firefighter]
* Danny McKell - appeared on seasons: 1-5, 9
* David "Skene" Skene - appeared on seasons: 16
* Derek Recio - appeared on seasons: 2
* Des "The Chairman" Burke - if he has appeared it was not recognized
* Dunstan "Dunno" Foss - appeared on seasons: 4-8 (trainee 4/5)
* Dylan "Milky" Davis - appeared on seasons: 15 (trainee 15)
* Eddy Hudson - appeared on seasons: 16-17
* Evan Faulks - appeared on seasons: 16
* Greg "Bisho" Bishop - appeared on seasons: 1-13
* Guillaume \_\_\_\_\_ - appeared on seasons: 17 ~from France
* Harry "H"/"H-man" Nightingale - appeared on seasons: 1-10 (Retired in 2015)
* Jesse "Kid" Polock - appeared on seasons: 7-14 (trainee 7/8)
* Jethro "Jeff" James - appeared on seasons: 10-16 (trainee 10/11) (fired 2022)
* John "Johnny" Robson - appeared on seasons: 3-6, 8, 11
* Josh "Burkey" Burke - appeared on seasons: 14-15 (trainee 14) <son of Matt Burke>
* Juliana "Jules" King - appeared on season 12-15
* Kobi Graham - appeared on seasons: 3-9 <brother of Azza Graham>
* Kristian "Yatesy" Yates - appeared on seasons: 1-13
* Lawrie Williams - appeared on seasons: 8, 17 [former Head Lifeguard]
* Liam "Itchi" Taylor - appeared on seasons: 3-10, 12
* Luke "Louie" Daniels - appeared on seasons: 4-11
* Matt "Burkey" Burke - appeared on season: 1-2 <father of Josh Burke>
* Matt Colquhoun - appeared on seasons: 6, 10
* Matt "Matt D." Dee - appeared on seasons: 2-4, 6-10
* Matthew "Hastie" Hastie - appeared on seasons: 16-17
* Max Ayshford - appeared on seasons: 6-14
* Max MacGuigan - appeared on seasons: 16-17
* Max Milligan - appeared on seasons: 16
* Michael "Mouse" Jenkinson - appeared on seasons: 4-16 [aircraft engineer] (fired 2022, ~seen in S17 only for lifeguard challenge)
* Mitch \_\_\_\_\_ - appeared on seasons: 17
* Nathan "Anny" Anson - appeared on seasons: 1
* Nicola Atherton - appeared on seasons: 9-12
* Noah "Mort" Finnimore - appeared on seasons: 15-17 (trainee 15/16)
* Rod "Kerrbox" Kerr - appeared on seasons: 1-12 [former surf champion]
* Ryan Yerbury - appeared on seasons: 11-13 (trainee 11) [Police Office] <cousin of Maxi>
* Sam Fleeting - appeared on seasons: 14
* Sean Carroll - appeared on seasons: 1-2 <twin brother of Harries>
* Scotty Thomson - appeared on seasons: 2-3
* Steve Alderman - appeared on seasons: 15
* Terry "Tezz" McDermott - appeared on seasons: 1-10 (deceased 2022)
* Tommy Frazer - appeared on seasons: 12-13 (trainee 12-13)
* Tommy Woodruff - appeared on seasons: 17
* Tyson McIntosh - appeared on seasons: 16

### Exchange/Getting Experience Lifeguards

* Julie \_\_\_\_\_ - appeared on season 10 episode 8 (Gaining Experience)
* Kyle Pao - appeared on seasons: 3, 6 (Exchange Lifeguard from Hawaii)
* Temika Wright - appeared on seasons: 5 (2 week Exchange Trainee)

## Vehicles

* Yamaha Rhino 700, ATV
* Yamaha WaveRunner FX High Output, PWC
* Kracka and Bennet surf rescue board

## *Bondi Rescue: Bali*

A nine-part spin-off series, entitled *Bondi Rescue: Bali* and set in Bali, Indonesia, premiered on Ten on 10 September 2008. The spin-off followed two monthly delegations of the Bondi lifeguards (including Deano, Harries, Chappo, Yatsey, Tom Bunting, Whippet, Matt D., Reidy, Aaron 'Azza' and Kobi Graham and mission chief Terry McDermott) as they were assigned to a two-month stint at Kuta Beach. Dealing with the more humid climate, a much larger beach, exceptionally strong surf, and the absence of the rescue equipment they had back home (even in ambulances), making it the world's most deadly guarded beach: twelve fatalities in an average year. They join the hundred strong local lifeguards, supervised by popular singer Marcello Arayafaya, in an official international exchange program.

The spin-off failed to score ratings and was pulled after four episodes. However, the whole series was aired and repeated overseas, notably in Flanders.

## Reception

*Bondi Rescue* has proven to be very successful for Ten, averaging 1.31 million viewers during its third season. It won the Logie Awards Most Popular Factual Program in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 and a nomination for the Most Outstanding Factual Series at the 2010 and 2011 ceremonies. Its success also led to similar series such as the Seven Network's *Surf Patrol* and Nine's *Deadly Surf* being commissioned.

## Mobile Game

A game based on the show was developed for iPhone and iPad. The player is a lifeguard who must keep the swimmers between the flags and protect them from hazards in the game.