The sprawling beaches of Goa, India are undoubtedly the state's biggest drawcard. Each year tourists from interstate and overseas flock to swim and sun themselves on cushioned chairs, cocktails in hand, against the backdrop of the Arabian Sea. Others crowd the beachside clubs day and night for marathon trance parties. The ever-present ocean looms indifferent to human leisure.
In 2008, with ninety-percent of drowning cases in the state of Goa involving those under the influence of alcohol, the Indian government sought to implement a beach safety program to address the rising drowning rates. Two instructors from Australia’s Surf Life Saving New South Wales visited Goa to assist with the training and establishment of a recruitment program which would allow the service to grow and maintain itself, to ensure the continued safety of the many who travel to Goan shores.
Eight years on, with over 700 lifeguards, Surf Life Saving Goa is the largest professionally run lifeguard service in India, patrolling all 105km of the state’s beaches.