Illawarra lifeguards could soon be sporting the sky blue of their famed Bondi Rescue colleagues under a proposal to be put forward at a national conference in Wollongong.
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Moves to bring the uniform into line across the state will be among topics discussed at the three-day Australian Professional Ocean Lifeguard Association (APOLA) conference, which starts today.
APOLA Illawarra spokesman Ken Holloway said the international success of the hit Bondi television reality series had led to confusion among visitors.
The Bondi lifeguards wear predominantly light blue polo shirts, while most lifeguards, including those in the Illawarra, wear a white polo and navy shorts.
"Because of the phenomenal success of the TV show, when overseas tourists and people who don't live on the coast come to the beach, they're expecting the lifeguard to be in a blue shirt," Mr Holloway said.
"So there's a push to make that the colour combination for all professional lifeguards."
The 16th annual industry conference, themed Beaches are Big Business, is being held in Wollongong for the first time to mark the 100th anniversary of the city's lifeguard service.
Today's activities include a free lifeguard clinic conducted by the Bondi Rescue lifeguards on North Beach from 10am to 11am for anyone seeking advice on entering the profession.
At the same time, former champion Ironman Craig Riddington from Surf Educate Australia will run a rip survival demonstration.
"For anybody who wants to get into their costumes, we will actually take them out and put them in a rip to show that it's not that scary and how to float and survive," Mr Holloway said.
A mayoral reception will be held at the Novotel Northbeach tonight, and delegates will return tomorrow for a series of addresses and workshops.
Among the issues to be discussed would be the future of Wollongong as it makes the transition from a heavy manufacturing economic base towards greater emphasis on tourism.
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"The reasons why people will come to Wollongong ... and why companies will set up here is because of the coastal lifestyle," Mr Holloway said.
"How we manage this natural resource in the future is going to be very important."
He said that future streams of revenue, including using surf clubs as cafes and restaurants, as had happened at City Beach, would also be discussed.