SURF-LIFE-SAVERS know the risk of being out in the sun on a day to day basis.
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They are taught from the time they join Nippers about the importance of wearing a hat, applying sunscreen and wearing protective clothing.
A recent survey conducted by Cancer Council NSW revealed that of the 3200 people who participated, 88 per cent recognised that getting sunburnt was a risk factor to developing cancer.
However 28 per cent mistakenly thought that a suntan protects against melanoma and other skin cancer.
Port Macquarie Surf Life Saving Club director of education Kim Rayner said this statistic is alarming.
She does not believe getting a tan is still seen as ‘trendy’ or ‘cool’.
“Not within our surf club membership no, they are all very sun safe and it’s something they’ve been brought up with too.”
Fourty-four people participated in a week-long Surf Rescue Certificate or Bronze Medallion Intensive Course from September 26 until September 30.
This is the third year Ms Rayner has coordinated the course. The number of people doing the course has more than doubled since she began.
“There’s a big influx of of numbers in the under 14-years-old age group for this season,” she said.
Surf-life-saving is a ‘skill for life’ Ms Rayner said and a great experience for young people as they are giving back to the community.
Through the intensive course people learn how to look after someone in the water, how to do CPR and to communicate via radio and hand signals.
When members are on patrol on the beach, they are required to wear a hat, a long sleeved shirt, sit under shade and apply sunscreen.