2021 Beach Safety Technology Conference
An international forum exploring the use and development of technology for ocean lifeguards, beach safety professionals and researchers.
Conference Presentation Videos
The following presentations were recorded in March 2021 as part of the online Beach Safety Technology Conference. For more information on these presentations, please email: info@beachsafetyresearch.com
The 2021 Beach Safety Technology Conference was organised by the UNSW Beach Safety Research Group in partnership with Smart Beaches.
Session 1: Plenary
Keynote presentations
“Bridging the gap between research, technology and beach safety"
Professor Rob Brander, UNSW Sydney
“Mapping beach safety technology: challenges and successes from a rapidly developing field”
Tony Blunden, Smart Beaches / Lake Macquarie City Council
Panel discussion
This moderated panel discussion was a big picture conversation with an international group of industry leaders on the future of lifeguarding and use of new tools, lessons learned from implementation of existing technology and important principles to keep in mind as the the industry advances in these areas. Panelists include:
Matt du Plessis - Lifeguard Manager, Waverly Council (Bondi Beach)
Andy Kent - National Lifesaving Manager, Surf Life Saving New Zealand
Adam Uehara - Section Chief, Los Angeles County Lifeguards
Shane Daw - General Manager Coastal Safety, Surf Life Saving Australia
William Koon (Moderator) - UNSW Beach Safety Research Group
Tony Blunden (Moderator) - Smart Beaches
Session 2A: Predictive modelling and risk forecasting
Rip current and nearshore wave prediction in the United States
Greg Dusek, National Atmospheric and Atmospheric Administration (USA)
SOSeas: a predictive application to electronic flags
Javier García Alba, University of Cantabria (Spain)
Rip current forecast at Egmond aan Zee
Willem Verbeek, Muien Netherlands
Neptune Ocean: Using computer vision to keep extra eyes on beaches
Jessica Chan and Kelvin Ducray, Firemark Labs Singapore
AI rip current detection in Japan
Toshinori Ishikawa, Japan Life Saving Association, Chuo University
Session 2B: Crowd counting technologies
Using artificial intelligence to count people and gather data on beaches
Jason Grier, Unleash Live
Exposure and vulnerability: tools, techniques and opportunities
Nick Mulcahy, UNSW Beach Safety Research Group / Surf Life Saving NSW
Smart camera coastal monitoring: beach usage for beach safety
Chris Drummond, UNSW Sydney
Session 3A: Technology for lifeguard data collection and activity reporting
Advancing lifeguard data collection: results from an international survey
William Koon, UNSW Sydney
Electronic data collection program on Kauai
D. Kalani Vierra, Kauai Fire and Ocean Rescue
Developing the LARA App for lifeguard activity reporting
Russell Holt, 3 Crowns Technologies
Implementation of Watchtower lifeguard data collection system in Huntington Beach
Trevor McDonald, Huntington Beach Fire Department - Marine Safety Division
Surfguard Operations App
Travis Klerck, Surf Life Saving Australia
Surf Patrol App trial in New Zealand’s Northern Region
John-Michael Swannix, Surf Life Saving New Zealand
Session 3B: Education and public communication technology
Randwick's smart beach displays: communicating safety & amenity info to the public
Anthony Collis, Randwick City Council
Virtual reality as a drowning prevention tool
Paola Araiza Alba, Swinburne University of Technology
Development of beach safety virtual reality education programs
Bruce ‘Hoppo’ Hopkins, Surf Educators International / Bondi Rescue
Emergency response beacon program
Terry Barber, Surf Life Saving New South Wales
The 2021 Beach Safety Technology Conference is hosted by the UNSW Beach Safety Research Group and Smart Beaches. Please contact us with any questions or concerns.
