A group of eight lifeguards from Kanagawa Prefecture recently completed a successful stint working with counterparts on the Gold Coast as part of an exchange program.
Gold Coast City Council Acting Community and Cultural Development Chair, Cr Margaret Grummitt, said the exchange was a great opportunity to share safety information and skills.
“This exchange has been running for 12 years and promotes good relations with our Japanese counterparts. The visit helps share ideas and techniques to improve beach safety and is a great way to boost our cultural links with Japan,” she told mygc.com.au.
It was the first time Japanese lifeguards had traveled to Queensland for two years, with the triple disasters of earthquake, tsunami and multiple nuclear meltdowns at Fukushima curtailing last year’s plans.
Yutaka, one of the Kanagawa lifeguards involved in the exchange, told Nichigo Press — Australia’s biggest Japanese-language publication — that none of the participants were keen on returning to Japan, and urged swimmers at the Gold Coast to always go “between the flags.”
