New Scientific Study Says Surfers Are Heroic 'Guardians of the Beach'

If you're reading this, you're probably a surfer.

This means there's a good chance you have—or will—save a few lives while surfing, according to a story published by Hakai Magazine.

Contrary to old-school stereotypes, angry parents, and surf-scorned girlfriends, surfers aren't the stoned Spicolis from Fast Times or the adrenaline junkies from Point Break. We are, in fact, "largely overlooked guardians of the beach."

Writer Alastair Bland based his article above on a recent study which found that "male and female surfers conducted an average of three rescues across their surfing career."

According to Bland, acts of heroism are "surprisingly common" for surfers.

"In a recent survey conducted in New Zealand, scientists found that throughout their lives, surfers reportedly rescue an average of three people who are drowning or otherwise struggling in the water," he wrote.

The study, conducted by Auckland University of Technology graduate student Jamie Mead, surveyed 418 surfers.

Bland wrote:

"These surfers were claiming to have participated in a total of 1,274 rescues, including 296 times when they felt they’d saved a person’s life. Of these rescues, 73 percent took place on beaches without lifeguards present, underscoring the crucial role surfers play in protecting beachgoers."

It found that "nearly nine out of 10" people saved by surfers didn't need further medical attention. In addition, the rescues were off the record, suggesting that surfers are a much more valuable resource than previously thought.

“We need to get surfers the recognition they deserve and do more research to accurately quantify how many rescues they’re actually doing,” Mead said.

According to Bland, "Mead and his co-authors propose leaning into surfers’ adopted guardian status and making equipment like stretchers and automated electronic defibrillators available in places such as surf clubs, beach huts, and lockboxes near the water."

Sounds like a good idea, considering that the World Health Organization estimates that 236,000 people die from drowning each year.

Bland wrote that at "nearly 27 people per hour—a toll that would likely be considerably higher in the absence of surfers."

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