Bondi Rescue

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Bondi Rescue
Genre Factual
Created by Ben Davies
Starring Waverley Council Lifeguards
Narrated by Andrew Günsberg
Opening theme "In the Summertime" by Thirsty Merc
Country of origin Australia
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 8
No. of episodes 85
Production
Executive producer(s) Michael Cordell
Nick Murray
Producer(s) Martin Baker
Nick Robinson
Rachale Davies
Liam Taylor
Madeleine Hetherton
Location(s) Bondi Beach
Running time 30 minutes (Including commercials)
Production company(s) Cordell Jigsaw Productions
Broadcast
Original channel Network Ten
Picture format 576i (SDTV)
1080i (HDTV)
Audio format Stereo
Original run 15 February 2006 – present
Chronology
Related shows Bondi Vet
External links
Website

Bondi Rescue is an Australian factual television program which is broadcast on Channel Ten. The programme, which has aired since 2006, follows the daily lives and routines of the Waverley Council professional lifeguards who patrol Bondi Beach.[1]

Bondi Rescue was first broadcast in 2006. A spin-off, set in Bali, Indonesia, also briefly screened in 2008.[2][3] Bondi Rescue is also broadcast in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Turkey, Italy, Belgium, Hong Kong and worldwide on National Geographic Adventure.

The show was created and produced by part-time lifeguard Ben Davies.[4] 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 beach goers and thieves on the beach. Every once in a while, celebrities also make appearances on their shores. These have included Paris Hilton, Russell Crowe, Richard Branson, Snoop Dogg, Hugh Grant, Zac Efron, Rowan Atkinson, Steve Irwin and daughter Bindi, David Hasslehoff, and the Indian Cricket Team.

Bondi also has its Annual Lifeguard Ironman Challenge, which tests the skills of each lifeguard with a one-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 that have occurred 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 fitness, strength and ability of the lifeguards. It consists of an 800-metre swim in under thirteen-and-a-half minutes in a swimming pool, then a 600-metre 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 are able and committed to the role of a lifeguard. If the competitors do not complete the tasks in the time limit, they are eliminated and do not advance to the next test.

Most 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 a number of occasions.

The lifeguards

Current

  • Aaron "Azza" Buchan
  • Aaron "Azza" Graham
  • Adrian "Taco" Kovacic (trainee)
  • Adriel "Bacon" Young
  • Andrew "Reidy" Reid
  • Anthony "Harries" Carroll
  • Ben "Quiggers" Quigley
  • Ben "Benny" Sutherland
  • Bobby "Yak" Yaldwin
  • Bruce "Hoppo" Hopkins
  • Chris "Chappo" Chapman
  • Corey Oliver
  • Daniel "Beardy" McLaughlin
  • Dean "Deano" Gladstone
  • Dunstan "Dunno" Foss
  • Greg "Bisho" Bishop
  • Harry "H-man" Nightingale
  • Jake Nolan
  • Jesse "The kid" Pollock
  • Kristian "Yatesy" Yates
  • Kobi Graham
  • Liam "Itchy" Taylor
  • Luke "Louie" Daniels
  • Matt Hanrahan
  • Matt Dee
  • Max "Marbles" Ayshford
  • Michael "Mouse" Jenkinson
  • Quinn "Quinno" Darragh
  • Ryan "Whippet" Clarke
  • Rod "Kerrbox" Kerr
  • Taylor "Cat" Slater
  • Terry "Tezz" McDermott
  • Tom Bunting
  • Trent "Maxi" Maxwell
  • Troy "Gonzo" Quinlan
  • Brad "Mal" Malyon

Former

  • Andrew "Pine" O'Sullivan
  • Beau Day
  • Ben Davies
  • Blake McKeown[5]
  • Brooke Cassell
  • Chris "Thaney" Thane
  • Corey Adams
  • Derek Recio
  • Des 'The Chairman' Burke

Source

Vehicles

Bondi Rescue: Bali

An nine-part spin-off series, entitled Bondi Rescue: Bali and set in Bali, Indonesia, premiered on Ten on 10 September 2008.[16][17] The spin-off followed the Bondi lifeguards as they were assigned to a two-month stint at Kuta Beach, dealing with the more humid climate, a much larger beach and the absence of the rescue equipment they had back home.[2][18]

The spin-off failed to score ratings, and was pulled after four episodes.[19]

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 also a nomination for the Most Outstanding Factual Series at the 2010 and 2011 ceremonies.[17] Its success also led to similar series such as the Seven Network's Surf Patrol and Nine's Deadly Surf being commissioned.[20]

Mobile Game

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

Episodes

Season Broadcast Date Episodes DVD
Release date Discs Special Features
1 6 Feb - 27 Mar 2006 8 13 February 2008 2 Slipcase Packaging
2 5 Feb - 9 Apr 2007 10 13 February 2008 2 Slipcase Packaging
3 5 Feb - 6 May 2008 14 17 September 2008 2 Slipcase Packaging
4 8 Feb - 3 May 2009 13 5 August 2009 2 Hoppo rescue
5 7 Feb - 2 May 2010 13 3 August 2011 2 Slipcase Packaging
6 6 Feb - 24 Apr 2011 14 1 December 2011 2 Stand by (unaired episode)
7 6 Feb - 7 May 2012 13 7 May 2012 N/A
8 10 Feb - ? 2013 13 2013 N/A

See also

References

  1. ↑ Waverley Council - Professional Lifeguards
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Airdate: Bondi Rescue: Bali, Kenny's World
  3. ↑ "Not drowning, saving". The Age. 18 September 2008. 
  4. ↑ Forbes, Mark (8 September 2008). "Much Kuta than here". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 18 July 2011. 
  5. ↑ Bondi Rescue lifeguard Blake McKeown leaves for Mormon mission
  6. ↑ Geddes, Jon (7 November 2009). "Grand squad leaves golden legacy". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 23 July 2011. "Matthew Burke [...] spent two seasons as a lifeguard at Bondi Beach, appearing on the TV show Bondi Rescue" 
  7. ↑ "Temika to the (Bondi) rescue". Wentworth Courier. 3 February 2010. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Yamaha Sponsors Professional Ocean Lifeguards
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Yamaha WaveRunners On Bondi Rescue
  10. ↑ Yamaha Rhino recall doesn't extend to Australia
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Surf Life Saving Australia – Circular: Approved Lifesaving Gear & Equipment Update
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 [www.surflifesaving.com.au/secure/downloadfile.asp?fileid=1003250 Surf Life Saving Australia – Circular: August 2008]
  13. ↑ Yamaha WaveRunners On Bondi Rescue
  14. ↑ New Kracka Designed Surf Rescue Board!
  15. ↑ Kracka Lifeguard boards
  16. ↑ Channel 10 puts Logie-winning Bondi Rescue into Bali
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Bondi Rescue heads to Bali
  18. ↑ "Bondi Rescue boys feel heat on the beach at Kuta, Bali". Daily Telegraph. 10 September 2008. 
  19. ↑ Returning: Jamie Oliver. Bumped: Kenny. Gone: Bondi
  20. ↑ Bondi surf rescue show goes global

External links

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