Coogee Surf Life Saving Club and Randwick City Council are set to host a community swim at Coogee Beach on Sunday in the wake of a horrific shark attack at the popular swimming spot last Saturday.
The Council said the swim will provide a supportive and community environment with additional safety measures provided by a drone, jet skis, inflatable rescue boats and board paddlers, along with Lifeguards and life savers.
“We know everyone is dealing with this traumatic incident in their own way,” said Mayor, Dylan Parker.
“That’s why we’re working to provide an opportunity for those wanting to return to the water in a controlled, communal way with additional safety measures, friends and support.”
After the swim, Coogee Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) will host a BBQ at the beach, with any proceeds going to support shark attack victim, Leah Stewart and her family.
“Our community takes a lot of strength from the ocean, and people will come back to the ocean in their own time,” said Coogee SLSC President, Ben Heenan.
“However, they will come back to the ocean with friends, with family and with members of the community. We are offering the swim on Sunday to all members of the community as a potential step towards coming back into the ocean and finding strength from the ocean.
“People can come down just to chat and not enter the ocean, they can dip, they can swim a lap of the bay – whatever the next best step for them is.”
The meeting point for Sunday’s 9am swim will be near the Coogee boatshed on the north side of the rainbow steps.
