Bondi Rescue
GenreFactual
Created byBen Davies and Michael Cordell
StarringThe Waverley Council Lifeguards
Narrated byOsher Günsberg
Opening theme"In the Summertime" by Thirsty Merc
ComposerKyls Burtland
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons17
No. of episodes201
Production
Executive producers
  • Michael Cordell
  • Ben Davies
  • Nick Murray
  • Ciaran Flannery
Producers
  • Martin Baker
  • Nia Pericles
  • Mark Hooper
  • Nick Robinson
  • Rachale Davies
  • Liam Taylor
  • Madeleine Hetherton
  • Romy Page
  • Warwick Burton
  • Toni Malone
  • Ashley Davies
  • Rick McPhee
Production locationsBondi Beach, New South Wales
CinematographyGary Russell
Phillip Bull
Helen Patronis
Running time30–60 minutes (inc. commercials)
Production companyCordell Jigsaw Productions[1]
Original release
NetworkNetwork 10 (2006–2021, 2023–present)
Release15 February 2006 (2006-02-15) –
present
Related
Bondi Vet

Bondi Rescue is an Australian factual television program which is broadcast on Network 10. The program follows the daily lives and routines of the Waverley Council professional lifeguards who patrol Bondi Beach.[2]

Bondi Rescue was first broadcast in 2006. A spin-off, set in Bali, Indonesia, also screened in 2008.[3][4] Bondi Rescue is broadcast internationally and has a substantial online presence. The show was created and produced by part-time lifeguard Ben Davies in collaboration with Producer Michael Cordell.[5] It is narrated by Osher Günsberg.

On 12 October 2022, it was officially announced that the show had been renewed for a seventeenth season which premiered on 19 April 2023, after a year-long hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic and poor weather conditions.[6][7]

The series was renewed for an 18th season at the 2023 Channel 10 upfronts.[8]

Dunstan "Dunno" Foss (black cap) and Ryan "Whippet" Clark (white cap) with Paris Hilton on Bondi Beach on New Year's Eve 2008

Overview

The Bondi lifeguards perform around five thousand rescues over the summer period. They also deal with other incidents including lost children, shark scares, bluebottle stings, injuries, sexual deviants, drunk beach goers and thieves on the beach. Every once in a while, celebrities also make appearances on their shores; these have included actors David Hasselhoff (star of the fictional lifeguard show Baywatch), Hugh Grant, Zac Efron, Rowan Atkinson and Russell Crowe, entrepreneur Richard Branson, comedian Conan O'Brien (whose appearance was also broadcast in his own show, Conan), musician Snoop Dogg, media personality Paris Hilton, conservationist Steve Irwin and his daughter Bindi, pro-surfer Kelly Slater, and the Indian Cricket Team. Bondi veterinarian Chris Brown has repeatedly appeared on Bondi beach, meeting lifeguards, in his own show Bondi Vet.

Bondi also has its Annual Lifeguard Ironman Challenge, which tests the skills of each lifeguard which typically consists of a one-kilometre run from Bondi to local beach Tamarama, then a one-kilometre swim to nearby Bronte Beach, followed by a two-kilometre board-paddle back to Bondi. The race is handicapped: the more accomplished swimmers and board-paddlers set off from Bondi later (up to twelve minutes, depending on how many competitors there are).

Footage for the show is shot during the preceding Australian summer (usually between December and February), with certain episodes reflecting incidents that have occurred during Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Australia Day. Noteworthy incidents at nearby Tamarama and Bronte Beaches, which the lifeguards are also responsible for, are occasionally shown. Later seasons also featured footage of lifeguard trials and training exercises from the middle of the year. The training in the middle of the year is a trial to test the fitness, strength and ability of the lifeguards. It consists of an 800-metre swim in under thirteen and a half minutes in a swimming pool, a 600-metre swim surf and two 600-metre runs and on the sand, a 600-metre board paddle, then a set of demanding rescues at Bondi which should be completed in under 25 minutes. It is also a test for trainee lifeguards to show they are able and committed to the role of a lifeguard. If the competitors do not complete the tasks in the time limit, they are eliminated and do not advance to the next test.

Many rescue boards and jet skis have a camera attached for close-up footage. When deemed safe to do so, the cameraman accompanies the lifeguards out to sea and has even had to assist with rescue operations on a number of occasions.

The production company pays Waverley Council an access fee to film the program on Bondi Beach. The lifeguards are paid a separate licensing fee for the use of their images in the series.

The lifeguards

Current lifeguards at Bondi beach[9]

Former

Vehicles

Bondi Rescue: Bali

A nine-part spin-off series, entitled Bondi Rescue: Bali and set in Bali, Indonesia, premiered on 10 September 2008.[18][19] The spin-off followed two months delegations of the Bondi lifeguards (including Dean 'Deano' Gladstone, Andrew 'Reidy' Reid, Ryan 'Whippet' Clark, Chris 'Chappo/Chips' Chapman, Tom 'Egg' Bunting, Matt 'Matty' Dee, Aaron 'Azza' and Kobi Graham and mission chief Terry 'Tezz' McDermott) as they were assigned to a two-month stint at Kuta Beach, dealing with the more humid climate, a much larger beach, an exceptionally strong surf and the absence of the rescue equipment they had back home (even in ambulances), making it the world's most deadly guarded beach: twelve fatalities in an average year.[3][20] They join the hundred strong local life guards, supervised by popular singer Marcello Arayafaya, in an official international exchange program.

The spin-off failed to score ratings, and was cancelled after four episodes.[21] However the whole series has been aired overseas.

Reception

Bondi Rescue has proven to be successful for Network 10, averaging 1.31 million viewers during its third season. It won the Logie Awards Most Popular Factual Program in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 and also a nomination for the Most Outstanding Factual Series at the 2010 and 2011 ceremonies.[19] Its success also led to similar series such as the Seven Network's Surf Patrol and Nine's Deadly Surf being commissioned.[22]

Logie Awards

Year Nominee Award Result
2008 Bondi Rescue Most Popular Factual Program Won
Most Outstanding Factual Program Nominated
2009 Most Popular Factual Program Won
2010 Most Popular Factual Program Won
Most Outstanding Factual Program Nominated
2011 Most Popular Factual Program Won
Most Outstanding Factual Program Nominated
2012 Most Popular Factual Program Won
2013 Most Popular Factual Program Won
2014 Most Popular Reality Program Nominated
2015 Most Popular Reality Program Nominated
2016 Most Popular Factual Program Nominated
2017 Most Popular Factual Program Nominated

Books

The first book written about Bondi Rescue was by Nick Carroll and published on 1 November 2009. It was titled Out the Back with Bondi Rescue: True Stories Behind the Hit TV Show and was about the Bondi lifeguards and took readers 'behind-the-scenes' and showed their 'journeys and the effect this has had on their lives'.[23]

A second book, titled Stories From the Bondi Lifeguards, was published on 1 February 2015 and showed a 'behind-the-scenes' look and memorable stories from the lifeguards on Bondi Rescue.[24] The book was written by a some of the lifeguards who frequented the show.

Trent Maxwell, commonly known as Maxi, published a series of children's books in 2018 about his lifeguarding experiences.[25][26]

Mobile game

A game based on the show was developed for iPhone and iPad. In the game, the player is a lifeguard who must keep the swimmers between the flags and protect them from hazards.

Series overview

Season Originally Aired Episodes DVD
First Aired Last Aired Release date Discs Special Features
1 6 February 2006 (2006-02-06) 27 March 2006 (2006-03-27) 8 13 February 2008 2 Slipcase Packaging
2 5 February 2007 (2007-02-05) 9 April 2007 (2007-04-09) 10 13 February 2008 2 Slipcase Packaging
3 5 February 2008 (2008-02-05) 6 May 2008 (2008-05-06) 14 17 September 2008 2 Slipcase Packaging
4 8 February 2009 (2009-02-08) 3 May 2009 (2009-05-03) 13 5 August 2009 2 Hoppo rescue
5 7 February 2010 (2010-02-07) 2 May 2010 (2010-05-02) 13 3 August 2011 2 Slipcase Packaging
6 6 February 2011 (2011-02-06) 24 April 2011 (2011-04-24) 14 1 December 2011 2 Stand by (unaired episode)
7 6 February 2012 (2012-02-06) 7 May 2012 (2012-05-07) 13 7 May 2012 2 N/A
8 10 February 2013 (2013-02-10) 2 June 2013 (2013-06-02) 13 21 May 2014 2 N/A
9 3 March 2014 (2014-03-03) 11 May 2014 (2014-05-11) 13 No DVD, was released on iTunes Store.
10 17 March 2015 (2015-03-17) 30 Aug 2015 13 No DVD, was released on iTunes Store.
11 15 March 2016 (2016-03-15) 10 July 2016 (2016-07-10) 13 No DVD, was released on iTunes Store.
12 29 January 2017 (2017-01-29) 30 April 2017 (2017-04-30) 13 No DVD, was released on iTunes Store.
13 13 March 2018 (2018-03-13) 24 April 2018 (2018-04-24) 10 No DVD, was released on iTunes Store.
14 20 February 2019 (2019-02-20) 2 October 2019 (2019-10-02) 10 No DVD, was released on iTunes Store.
15 25 March 2020 (2020-03-25) 8 July 2020 (2020-07-08) 10 No DVD, was released on iTunes Store.
16 25 February 2021 (2021-02-25) 20 December 2021 (2021-12-20) 10 No DVD, was released on iTunes Store
17 14 April 2023 (2023-04-14) 23 June 2023 (2023-06-23) 11 No DVD, was released on iTunes Store

See also

References

  1. ^ "CJZ.com.au". Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  2. ^ "Waverley Council – Professional Lifeguards". Waverley Council. 15 February 2011. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  3. ^ a b "Airdate: Bondi Rescue: Bali, Kenny's World | TV Tonight". 22 August 2008. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  4. ^ "Not drowning, saving". The Age. 18 September 2008.
  5. ^ Forbes, Mark (8 September 2008). "Much Kuta than here". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  6. ^ "Paramount Upfront 2023: New and Returning Content". Mediaweek.com.au. Mediaweek. 6 October 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  7. ^ Knox, David (6 October 2022). "2023 Upfronts: Paramount". TV Tonight. TV Tonight. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  8. ^ "2024 Upfronts: 10 / Paramount+ | TV Tonight". 24 October 2023.
  9. ^ "Bondi Rescue – Lifeguards". 10 Play. Network Ten. 26 March 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  10. ^ a b Yamaha Sponsors Professional Ocean Lifeguards Archived 23 February 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ a b Yamaha WaveRunners On Bondi Rescue Archived 13 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ "Yamaha Rhino recall doesn't extend to Australia". Archived from the original on 19 May 2009. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  13. ^ a b Surf Life Saving Australia – Circular: Approved Lifesaving Gear & Equipment Update Archived 30 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  14. ^ a b "Surf Life Saving Australia – Circular: August 2008". Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  15. ^ "Powerboat World - News and boat tests from the world of leisure powerboats in North America". Powerboat.World. Archived from the original on 10 July 2009. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  16. ^ "New Kracka Designed Surf Rescue Board!". Archived from the original on 7 July 2009. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  17. ^ "Kracka Lifeguard boards". Archived from the original on 7 July 2009. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  18. ^ "Channel 10 puts Logie-winning Bondi Rescue into Bali". Archived from the original on 24 May 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  19. ^ a b "Bondi Rescue heads to Bali | TV Tonight". 11 June 2008. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  20. ^ "Bondi Rescue boys feel heat on the beach at Kuta, Bali". Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 10 September 2008.
  21. ^ "Returning: Jamie Oliver. Bumped: Kenny. Gone: Bondi | TV Tonight". 3 October 2008. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  22. ^ Cuming, Angela (14 January 2007). "Bondi surf rescue show goes global". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  23. ^ Goodreads; Allen & Unwin (1 November 2009). "Out the Back with Bondi Rescue". Retrieved 7 March 2019.((cite web)): CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  24. ^ Goodreads; The Bondi Boys (1 February 2015). "Stories From the Bondi Lifeguards". Retrieved 7 March 2019.((cite web)): CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  25. ^ White, Anastasia (14 September 2018). "Live, Learn, Survive". havenmagazine.com.au. Haven Magazine. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  26. ^ Doyle, Erin (1 September 2020). "Exclusive: Bondi Rescue's Maxi shares baby plans". New Idea. Retrieved 7 December 2021.

External links

Network 10 local programming (current and upcoming)
Categories