Bondi Rescue
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television production |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Founder | Ben Davies, Michael Cordell |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Area served | Australia, international |
Key people | Ben Davies (developer and producer), Michael Cordell (producer), Osher Günsberg (narrator) |
| Products | Documentary-style television series |
Bondi Rescue is an Australian documentary-style television series aired on Network 10, which documents the daily duties of professional lifeguards employed by Waverley Council as they patrol Bondi Beach.
Since its debut in 2006, the series has gained international attention, including a 2008 spin-off located in Bali, Indonesia. The show was developed and produced by part-time lifeguard Ben Davies alongside producer Michael Cordell, with narration provided by Osher Günsberg. Over time, it has cultivated a substantial online following and a worldwide viewership.
Following a break caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and adverse weather conditions, Bondi Rescue returned for its seventeenth season, premiering on 19 April 2023. The program was subsequently renewed for an eighteenth season, announced during the 2023 Channel 10 upfronts.
Overview
Each summer, Bondi lifeguards conduct approximately five thousand rescues, addressing emergencies such as missing children, shark alerts, bluebottle jellyfish stings, injuries, and disturbances occurring on the beach. From time to time, notable visitors appear at Bondi, including actors like David Hasselhoff, Hugh Grant, Zac Efron, Rowan Atkinson, Russell Crowe; entrepreneur Richard Branson; comedian Conan O'Brien; musician Snoop Dogg; media figure Paris Hilton; conservationists Steve and Bindi Irwin; professional surfer Kelly Slater; as well as the Indian Cricket Team. Additionally, Bondi veterinarian Chris Brown frequently makes appearances in his own series Bondi Vet filmed on the beach.
The Annual Lifeguard Ironman Challenge at Bondi tests the skills of lifeguards through a sequence involving a one-kilometre run to Tamarama Beach, followed by a one-kilometre swim to Bronte Beach, and concluding with a two-kilometre board paddle back to Bondi. This race employs a handicap system where the fastest swimmers and paddlers start later.
Filming takes place during the Australian summer months (December through February), capturing events from key dates such as Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and Australia Day. Occasionally, footage from nearby Tamarama and Bronte Beaches is included. In later seasons, mid-year lifeguard trials are featured, assessing fitness levels through timed runs, swims, board paddling, and rescue exercises. Candidates must complete these within specified timeframes to progress.
Cameras are often mounted on rescue boards and jet skis to provide detailed close-up shots. Cameramen accompany lifeguards at sea when conditions permit and have occasionally assisted in rescues.
The production company compensates Waverley Council with an access fee for filming privileges on Bondi Beach. Meanwhile, individual lifeguards receive separate licensing payments for the use of their images within the series.
The lifeguards
Current lifeguards stationed at Bondi Beach
- Aaron Buchan (Azza B)
- Andrew Reid (Reidy)
- Anthony Carroll (Harries)
- Anthony Glick (Glick)
- Ben Quigley (Quiggers)
- Bruce Hopkins (Hoppo)
- Chase Hardaker
- Chris Chapman (Chappo)
- Chris Emery
- Clint Kimmins (Clipper)
- Corey Oliver
- Daniel McLaughlin (Beardy)
- Dean Gladstone (Deano)
- Gavin Stevenson (Bagus)
- Jack Curtis
- Jackson Doolan (Jacko)
- Jake Nolan
- Joel Bevilacqua (Joel B)
- Joel Bolewski (Joel)
- Kailan Collins (KC)
- Lachlan McArthur (Lachie)
- Lukas Wong (Boo)
- Luke Faddy (Faddy)
- Mario Marfella (Muzza)
- Michael Jenkinson (Mouse)
- Noah Finnimore (Mort)
- Quinn Darragh (Quinn)
- Ryan Clark (Whippet)
- Tom Bunting (Egg)
- Tommy Woodruff
- Trent Maxwell (Maxi)
- Trent Falson (Singlets)
- Troy Quinlan (Gonzo)
- Wally Eggleton (Wally)
- William Bigelow (Will)
Former lifeguards
This group includes Aaron Graham, Adrian Kovacic, Adriel Young, Alexander Koops, Andrew O'Sullivan, Andy Mole, Beau Day, Ben Davies, Ben Sutherland, Blake McKeown, Brad Malyon, Brooke Cassell, Bobby Yaldwyn, Chris Thane, Colin Thackeray, Cooper Braxton, Cooper Wilson, Corey Adams, Craig Carney, Danny McKell, David Skene, Derek Recio, Des Burke, Dunstan Foss, Dylan Davis, Eddy Hudson, Evan Faulks, Greg Bishop, Harrison Reid, Harry Nightingale, Jake Braken, Jesse Polock, Jethro James, John Robson, Josh Burke, Juliana King, Kobi Graham, Kristian Yates, Kyle Pao, Lachlan MacIntosh, Lawrie Williams, Liam Taylor, Luke Daniels, Matt Burke, Matt Colquhoun, Matt Dee, Matthew Hastie, Max Ayshford, Max MacGuigan, Max Milligan, Nathan Anson, Nicola Atherton, Rod Kerr, Ryan Yerbury, Sam Fleeting, Sean Carroll, Scotty Thomson, Steve Vincent, Stuart Morrow, Terry McDermott, Temika Wright,TJ Henry,T om Miller,T ommy Frazer and Tyson McIntosh.
Vehicles
The equipment roster features:
- Yamaha Rhino 700 ATV – utilized for swift access across the beach and routine patrol duties.
- Yamaha WaveRunner FX High Output personal watercraft – essential for rapid water rescues and emergency responses.
- Kracka and Bennet surf rescue boards – purpose-built tools crafted to enhance lifesaving effectiveness.
These vehicles and devices play a crucial role in maintaining operational effectiveness and upholding safety protocols at Bondi Beach.
Bondi Rescue: Bali
The nine-episode spin-off series, Bondi Rescue: Bali, which debuted on 10 September 2008, was filmed in Bali, Indonesia. It documented a two-month assignment involving Bondi lifeguards such as Dean 'Deano' Gladstone, Andrew 'Reidy' Reid, among others, who were deployed to Kuta Beach. The team encountered obstacles including a more humid environment, an expansive shoreline, stronger surf conditions, and limited rescue gear at what was reputedly the world’s most hazardous guarded beach, recording twelve deaths annually. This initiative was part of an official international exchange program coordinated by local singer Marcello Arayafaya and involved collaboration with Balinese lifeguards.
Despite its concept, the series experienced low viewership and was discontinued after four episodes but subsequently found an international audience.
Reception
Bondi Rescue has achieved significant ratings success on Network 10, drawing an average audience of 1.31 million during its third season. It secured the Logie Awards for Most Popular Factual Program for five consecutive years (2008–2012) and earned nominations for Most Outstanding Factual Series in both 2010 and 2011. Its popularity inspired comparable television programs such as Seven Network’s Surf Patrol and Nine’s Deadly Surf.
Logie Awards
| Year | Nominee | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Bondi Rescue | Most Popular Factual Program | Template:Won |
| Most Outstanding Factual Program | Template:Nom | ||
| 2009 | Most Popular Factual Program | Template:Won | |
| 2010 | Most Popular Factual Program | Template:Won | |
| Most Outstanding Factual Program | Template:Nom | ||
| 2011 | Most Popular Factual Program | Template:Won | |
| Most Outstanding Factual Program | Template:Nom | ||
| 2012 | Most Popular Factual Program | Template:Won | |
| 2013 | Most Popular Factual Program | Template:Won | |
| 2014 | Most Popular Reality Program | Template:Nom | |
| 2015 | Most Popular Reality Program | Template:Nom | |
| 2016 | Most Popular Factual Program | Template:Nom | |
| 2017 | Most Popular Factual Program | Template:Nom |
Books
The inaugural publication related to Bondi Rescue, titled Out the Back with Bondi Rescue: True Stories Behind the Hit TV Show by Nick Carroll, was released on 1 November 2009. This book provided an insider’s perspective on the lifeguards’ experiences and their influence.
A follow-up book, Stories From the Bondi Lifeguards, published on 1 February 2015, compiled notable anecdotes from the show’s lifeguards, with contributions from several cast members.
In 2018, Trent Maxwell (Maxi) introduced a children’s book series inspired by his career as a lifeguard.
Mobile game
A game designed for iPhone and iPad allows users to take on the role of lifeguards, overseeing swimmer safety within flagged zones and shielding them from potential dangers.
Series overview
| Season | Original broadcast | Number of episodes | DVD | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premiere date | Final episode date | Release date | Number of discs | Additional features | ||
| 1 | 6 February 2006 | 27 March 2006 | 8 | 13 February 2008 | 2 | Slipcase Packaging |
| 2 | 5 February 2007 | 9 April 2007 | 10 | |||
| 3 | 5 February 2008 | 6 May 2008 | 14 | 17 September 2008 | ||
| 4 | 8 February 2009 | 3 May 2009 | 13 | 5 August 2009 | Hoppo rescue | |
| 5 | 7 February 2010 | 2 May 2010 | 3 August 2011 | Slipcase Packaging | ||
| 6 | 6 February 2011 | 24 April 2011 | 14 | 1 December 2011 | Stand by (unaired episode) | |
| 7 | 6 February 2012 | 7 May 2012 | 13 | 7 May 2012 | ||
| "8" | "10 February 2013" | "2 June 2013" | "" | "21 May 2014" | "" | |
| "9" | "3 March 2014" | "11 May 2014" | No DVD, available on iTunes Store. | |||
| "10" | "17 March 2015" | "30 Aug 2015" | No DVD, available on iTunes Store. | |||
| "11" | "15 March 2016" | "10 July 2016" | No DVD, available on iTunes Store. | |||
| "12" | "29 January 2017" | "30 April 2017" | No DVD, available on iTunes Store. | |||
| "13" | "13 March 2018" | "24 April 2018" | 10" | No DVD, available on iTunes Store. | ||
| "14" | "20 February 2019" | "2 October 2019" | No DVD, available on iTunes Store. | |||
| "15" | "25 March 2020" | "8 July 2020" | No DVD, available on iTunes Store. | |||
| "16" | "25 February 2021" | "Error: Value is not a valid month (help)" | No DVD, available on iTunes Store. | |||
| "17" | "{{Start date 2023 04 14 df=y}}" | "{{End date 2023 06 23 df=y}}" | "11" | No DVD, available on iTunes Store. | ||
| "18" | "{{Start date 2024 07 10 df=y}}" | "{{End date 2024 08 07 df=y}}" | "10" | No DVD, available on iTunes Store. | ||