Bombardier's life saving partnership

A new comprehensive report on the contribution the Surf Life Saving movement makes to Australia shows that Life Savers are worth $3.6 billion a year to the nation in coastal drowning and injury prevention. They also prevent almost 600 drowning deaths per year.

Compiled by the international consultancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, the report found that the cost benefit for every dollar invested in Surf Life Saving was returned to the community increased by a factor of 29 to 1.

Bombardier Recreational Products Australia has been a major supporter of the Surf Life Saving movement since 2009 and plans to continue the successful partnership. A privately owned company, BRP develops, manufacturers and markets motorised recreational vehicles including See-Doo watercraft and sports boats and Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles. The company also produces Evinrude and Johnson outboard engines and Can-Am all-terrain vehicles and roadsters.

Gregoire Dupont, the regional general manger for BRP in the Asia Pacific region, says he was delighted with the report.

"As a key partner if Surf Life Saving we are delighted with this independent assessment of the enormous community benefit and effectiveness of its core water safety activities," Dupont says.

"Surf lifesavers contributed 1.3 million hours of volunteer water safety services last year, protecting the 80 per cent of Australians who visit a beach at least once a year," he says. "Last year they completed 12,000 rescues on our beaches and coastal waterways."

"The PwC report confirms that every dollar contributed to Surf Life Saving is a dollar invested in protecting lives and making our beaches safer places to enjoy. We are very proud to play our role in supporting the vital work of our iconic surf lifesavers."