An awareness-raising evening for the recently-formed Israel Life Saving Federation has been held in Sydney with Board of Deputies CEO Vic Alhadeff relating his own near-drowning experience.
Alhadeff was caught in a rip at Whale Beach in 1988 saying: “I would not be here this evening if it were not for the courage of one of these guys in the red-and-yellow T-shirts.”
The function was also addressed by Israel Life Saving Federation president Paul Hakim, Surf Lifesaving Sydney president Peter Agnew and Surf Lifesaving Sydney Director of Juniors Doug Hawkins.
Paul Hakim pointed out that there were 254 drownings or near-drownings in Israel last year, and that there is no national water-safety program in the country and no compulsory swimming lessons in Israeli schools. The Hakim brothers relocated to Israel about 30 years ago. www.israellifesaving.org
Former Australians Paul and Danny Hakim key players in its establishment.
