Media Release

Udupi, Sep 28: "Udupi District administration in collaboration with Rashtriya Life Saving India (RLSSI), Mangaluru unit is all geared up to to make the beaches of Udupi safer.

On September 26 deputy commissioner of Udupi Dr Vishal and assistant commissioner of Kundapur Charulatha along with several beach goers witnessed the demonstration of surf lifesaving techniques by the Mangalore Surf Lifesaving Club at the Malpe beach.

The demonstration was planned by the director of Surf Lifesaving(SLS) India, Partha Varanashi and the centre head of RLSSI for DK, Niroop G R. It was executed by 20 surf lifesavers from Mangaluru and Puttur. These surflife savers gave a brilliant demonstration of sea swimming, Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), surfing, rescuing a drowning victim at sea. Lifesaving sports were also introduced to the local fishermen's children. Venue was provided by Sudesh Shetty of Malpe Beach management.

The surf lifesaving team has proposed the training of underprivileged school children at the beaches of Malpe on lifesaving skills, surf lifesaving sports and beach safety. These children will add support to the life guards. The main intention of SLS is to make the beaches of India safe by reducing death due to drowning.

Surf lifesaving originated in Australia in 1907 to reduce the drowning at beaches. It is a voluntary life guard program where people spend some time of their lives training in lifesaving techniques. Similar to scouts, guides and NCC in India there is surf lifesaving movement spreading around the world. In India it started in October 2014 when an Australia India Commission (AIC) encouraged Rashtreya Life Saving Society (RLSSI) an NGO started by Retd Rear Admiral PD Sharma.

Surf lifesaving Mangaluru trained over 50 surf lifesavers in the last 6 months at Tannir Bavi beach under the guidance of Partha Varanashi (director SLSI) and Niroop G R (centre head RLSSI, DK)."