As Western Australia grapples with a rising drowning toll this summer, one of the nation’s beloved children’s series creators is using his platform to teach young Australians about water safety. Tim Bain, the Melbourne-based writer behind the ABC series Kangaroo Beach, is combining entertainment with life-saving lessons to help prevent further tragedies.
Bain, who previously worked on popular children’s shows such as Fireman Sam and Thomas the Tank Engine, launched Kangaroo Beach in 2021. The action-comedy animated series features four cadet lifeguards — Pounce the kangaroo, Frizzy the koala, Neville the wombat, and Gemma the platypus — who work together to keep the beach safe.
Reflecting on his time on Fireman Sam, Bain explained the profound impact such shows can have on children’s safety awareness. “We received letters from families whose children reacted correctly to a fire emergency because of what they learned from Fireman Sam,” he told. He added that, given the growing number of water-related fatalities each summer, it felt important to create a series that was both fun and educational, teaching kids crucial water safety skills.
The latest season, which premiered this week, introduces a new character: Spyke the echidna. Loosely based on Bain’s own rural upbringing, Spyke is a “bush kid” who contrasts with the more coastal, water-savvy Kangaroo Beach cadets. Through Spyke’s journey, the show teaches young viewers about the dangers of ocean currents and rips, as well as safe water activities like surfing, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
“Spyke is unfamiliar with beach life but learns a lot about water safety, while the other cadets, in turn, discover the beauty and risks of the bush,” Bain said. “Her character allows us to explore a different side of Australia, one that emphasizes the need to understand both land and water environments.”
Bain emphasized the critical importance of early education on water safety. “It’s essential that children understand both the fun and the potential dangers of water activities,” he said. “Kids should be equipped with the knowledge of how to stay safe while enjoying the water, so they can make the most of it without putting themselves at risk.”
In preparing for the show, Bain and the production team received expert guidance from Bondi Beach lifeguards, who shared essential water safety practices. Bain recalled being “amazed” by how much he didn’t know, such as how to spot a rip and how to safely rescue someone caught in one. “The lifeguards taught me that you should always bring something that floats when going in to rescue someone, which is crucial,” he said.
Bain believes that teaching children from a young age can set them up for a lifetime of safe water experiences. “Starting kids off with the right knowledge early on will help them stay as safe as possible throughout their lives in Australia,” he said.
Sadly, recent drownings in WA highlight the ongoing urgency of such initiatives. Among the victims are Curtin University professor Mohammad Shahidul Hasan Swapan and his wife Sabrina Ahmed, who died on December 28 after heroically trying to save one of their daughters near Walpole. On January 14, a 43-year-old man drowned in Bremer Bay while attempting to rescue two children caught in a rip at Native Dog Beach. Just the following day, 22-year-old Sio Afamasaga died after being swept out to sea at City Beach. The most recent tragedy occurred last week when 17-year-old Tyler Jury drowned at Lake Leschenaultia after becoming trapped under a pontoon.
Royal Life Saving Australia WA’s CEO, Peter Leaversuch, emphasized the gravity of the issue. “The summer drowning toll is a much bigger problem than people realize,” he said. “Each drowning is unique, but collectively, they represent a significant public safety concern. The best way to prevent such tragedies is to empower individuals with the skills and knowledge to care for their own safety.”
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