Travellers flying Virgin Australia will soon be able to surf their in-flight entertainment system for water safety advice after the carrier teamed up with Surf Life Saving Australia to promote beach safety awareness to international and domestic visitors.  

Signing the agreement yesterday, Virgin Australia group executive of commercial Liz Savage explained the partnership would see the carrier promote surf safety through its in-flight entertainment system, Voyeur magazine as well as through advertising spots.

“Virgin  Australia  carries  over  18  million guests  a  year  and  we believe  we  have  an  important  role  to  play in  promoting  surf safety  to  this  wide  and diverse  audience,” Ms Savage explained.

“We  are  proud  to  become  the  official  airline  of  Surf  Life  Saving  Australia,  and  in  order  to  prevent  further drownings  and  save  more  lives,  it  is  imperative  for  the  surf  safety  messages  to  be  seen  and  heard.” 

Surf Life Saving Australia chief executive Brett Williamson said the partnership with Virgin Australia would help spread the message, particularly to international guests who are not familiar or “prepared for the conditions at Australian beaches”.

“We need to make them aware of the various hazards at the beach and what to do if they get in trouble,” Mr Williamson said. 

According to Surf Life Saving Australia, up to 12,000 rescues are performed each summer by up to 44,323 volunteer surf lifesavers.