Safety Ski Initiative

PLAY HARD HOME SAFE

For the best part of two decades, a group of Tasmanian filmers, photographers, surfers, and bodyboarders have shunned the global riches of big wave surfing to stay true to their local break, Shipsterns Bluff. After many near misses in averting tragedy, the Shippy’s community decided, through a strong sense of stewardship, to take a more proactive approach to safety in the lineup. Born out of this change in mindset has been the ‘Shippy’s Safety Initiative, ’ a program that was put in place by surfers for surfers. The community has combined to use all their collective skills, experience and hard-earned dollars to acquire a fully equipped Jet Ski fitted with trauma kits, oxygen, defib and pain relief. Add in both UHF and VHF communication for both sea and land if required, this has created a vessel that can deal with most issues that have been common over the previous 2 decades.

The second piece of equipment to be added to the Safety Initiative is a Pelican case stationed at the base of the cliffs for those who walk in. After risk-assessing many of the injuries acquired, it was felt that this is an important area that needs to be covered. The actual extent of someones injury sometimes is not known until the adrenaline has worn off. The Shippy’s elders ask that everyone, including locals and travellers alike, respect what they have put in place. Click on the account link for those wishing to donate.

The Do’s for Traveller’s

  • Take out every thing you bring in with you, including broken surfboards. Always leave the place the way it was when you walked in.
  • Bring good vibes and patience; your ticket will eventually come up.
  • Tap your head after a wipeout if you’re okay. It important way to communicate.
  • Check that you are covered with ambulance insurance, including extraction by helicopter if required. Locals are automatically covered, but travellers from interstate or overseas are not covered unless you have specific travel insurance that covers you.
  • You should sign in and sign out at the start of the walking track. This helps if someone is injured or goes missing on their way out.

The Dont’s for Traveller’s

  • Travel down in big groups, this is a sure-fire way to piss the locals off.
  • Paddle out if you can not save yourself or others. Gain your heavy wave experience elsewhere. Inexperience will be considered a weak link, and you will be asked to leave the lineup politely. Risking your own well-being as well as those that may have to rescue you is only going to create bad vibes.
  • Catch waves when an incident has occurred and someone in distress is being attended to.
  • Sit under the cliffs, it’s only a matter of time before another section lets go.

Banks Details

Acc Name : STAS Rescue Jet Ski
BSB : 017 – 318
Acc Number : 46 – 013 -9855