SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA  --  An Australian group of gay and lesbian surf lifeguards says the number of lifeguard recruits have doubled due to the visibility lifeguards gained from participating in the 2007 Mardi Gras Parade.

"Gays and lesbians have literally been flocking to the beach over the past 4 months and doing their Bronze Medallion, the qualification that enables them to become active lifesavers of Australian beaches," said Ronan McSweeney, spokesman for Lifesavers with Pride.  "Bondi, North Bondi, Tamarama or Bronte; the clubs we have a direct involvement with, have recorded a doubling of candidates from previous years. In one Bronze Squad, almost half were either gay or lesbian. And we've heard from our members in other states that there has been more interest than ever before."

"Seeing the guys and girls in last year's Mardi Gras made me reconsider the lifesaving movement completely," said Michael Webster, a lifesaver recruit who received his Bronze Medallion in November 2007. "I've always loved swimming, but I never thought I would be the right fit for lifesaving. I'm so glad I was wrong, because the skills I have learnt have given me the ability to save someone's life. And that's a very powerful skill to have."

Surf Life Saving Australia, the governing body of Australian lifesavers, officially supports its member who will march in the Mardi Gras parade. Lifesavers from West Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria will all join in for the 30th anniversary of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Gen Q reports.

Float details for the 2008 Mardi Gras Parade will not be revealed until March but the crowd of 300,000 obviously has a lot to look forward to. "We can't reveal too much yet, but we'll whet your appetite with the following clue – 'whether you're gay, straight or lesbian, whatever floats your boat, surf lifesaving is for everyone!" said Ronan McSweeney.

Last update: 01-31-2008 17:12