Have you ever rescued someone while you were surfing? Many surfers probably have, and in doing so may have saved many lives.

Two such instances were highlighted recently, one at Canoe Beach, north of Dunedin (http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/247912/surfers-hailed-heroes) and the other in Whangamata, on the Coromandel (http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8416817/Fellow-surfers-rescue-drowning-man), where surfers went to the aid of swimmers and other surfers, and saved their lives!

In New Zealand over 1,400 people are rescued by surf lifeguards every year, but we have no idea how many people surfers save. The University of New South Wales is doing an international study on surfer rescues and would like to know if you’ve ever rescued someone while you were surfing.

So please help by spending a few minutes doing this anonymous survey. Please send the link to your friends as well https://www.research.net/s/SurferSurvey. This information will help Surf Life Saving New Zealand get a clearer picture of the role surfers play in surf safety, and help inform future surf safety programmes.