Is surf lifesaving a uniquely Australian thing, Doug?
Douglas Booth: There is an international body, and we do have international competitions. New Zealand, South Africa, the United States, including Hawaii, all have lifesaving type competitions, all have lifesaving associations. But it is the most well developed in Australia. And Australia is certainly the centre of the whole organisation. And it’s been Australia which has set the rules, determined the equipment, and establishes the processes and bureaucracy for the administration of the sport. Amanda Smith: Sports historian Douglas Booth – and he was speaking to me there from Dunedin in New Zealand where he teaches in the School of Physical Education, at the University of Otago. And this is the Sports Factor, here on Radio National, I’m Amanda Smith. Now, Dean Mercer is an ironman. Last month he won a world series and he also has an Order of Australia for his services to surf lifesaving. Dean’s club is the Thirroul Surf Lifesaving Club, on the New South Wales coast. But with what’s beco
