Australian lifeguards wonder about Danes' beach habits

Indland ( https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland )

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Australian lifeguards puzzled by Danes' beach habits

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Danes' relaxed attitude toward beach rules both pleases and frustrates the Australian lifeguards currently on exchange in Denmark.

There are currently seven foreign lifeguards on Danish beaches. Most come from Australia and are on an exchange visit to Denmark. (Photo: © Emil Nicolai Helms, Ritzau Scanpix) 19 min. ago

*Are you alright, mate?*

If the lifeguard on the beach speaks English with an Australian accent to you, it's because you've just met one of the six Australian lifeguards currently on exchange in Denmark.

It is Trygfonden's Coastal Lifeguard Service that is responsible for the exchange, and the idea is to exchange experiences and techniques with lifeguards from other countries.

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Foreign lifeguards

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Every year, Trygfonden's Coastal Lifeguard Service invites between five and eight lifeguards from other countries to visit

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This year, six Australians and one Frenchman are visiting

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The foreign lifeguards are and must always be together with a Danish lifeguard

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The foreign lifeguards have been personally recommended by their leaders and superiors in their home country

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There is no financial support for the exchange, but Trygfonden's Coastal Lifeguard Service helps with the practicalities

There are actually not that many differences, says education manager at Trygfonden's Coastal Lifeguard Service, Anders Hammer. The major differences are more in the culture on the beach.

- The Australians are especially puzzled by how long we stay on the beach. Some Danes arrive in the morning and don't leave the beach until late afternoon. You don't do that in Australia, probably because it's both hotter and the UV index is higher, says Anders Hammer.

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Danish rules (or lack thereof)

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There is also something about the Danes' relationship with rules that puzzles the Australians. For example, that Danes largely ignore bathing between the flags that the lifeguards have set up.

- In Australia, the lifeguards' job is to get people between the flags using whistles and gestures. There, they are also a kind of supervisors on the beach, says Anders Hammer.

On the other hand, they are happy that there are not as many rules.

- Our foreign lifeguards actually really like that there are not as many rules here in Denmark as they are used to, but they unanimously say that we are a bit too relaxed when it comes to keeping an eye on our children. Where they come from, it would be pointed out much more clearly if adults leave children alone – especially in the water, says Anders Hammer.

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