SAMOA: Tourist Operators And Government Agencies Receive Surf Life Saving Training

Accommodation providers, Tourist Operators and Government Agencies in Upolu utilised the 2017 Surf Life Saving (SLS), CPR and First Aid training course by the Samoa Tourism Authority (STA).

The aim of the training is to improve water safety response within the Accommodation providers and tourist sites and was carried out last week at the Samoa Tourism Authority Headquarters in Apia.

There were more than 10 participants at the training with participants from Hotel Elisa, Taumeasina Island Resort, Papaseea Sliding Rocks, Lalotalie River Retreat, St Therese Retreat & Accommodation, Fire and Emergency Services Authority, and Samoa Tourism Authority.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Samoa Tourism Authority, Papali’i Sonja Hunter congratulated everyone and encouraged all to utilise their new learnt skills.

This training is very important to the Samoa Tourism Authority and to the whole of Samoa, because it saves lives as it is the first aid for emergencies.”


Said Papali’i. “I encourage you all to utilise the skills that you’ve attained within your respective tourism development areas and also within your villages and homes.”

Papali’i also acknowledged the expertise by the Trainer, Australian Voluteer, Ms Morgan Knowles and STA’s Product and Development team.

Trainings were carried out by the STA Planning and Development team, with technical expertise from a Certified Australian Surf Life Saving Trainer through the Australian Volunteers for International Development Programme.

STA is currently at its 5th year of implementing Surf Rescue Training Programme. The programme is designed to up skill industry members with Surf Life Saving Techniques which include Basic First Aid, CPR and Water Rescue training.

STA has been offering refresher courses for staffthat had completed SLS courses in the previous years.

Surf Life Saving in Samoa has been in the development stages since 2009.

In response to the 2009 tsunami, in May 2010 the Government of Samoa and the Government of Australia commenced a program known as the Volunteer Emergency Response Team - Water Safety Programme (VERT-WSP).

The volunteers involved with VERTWSP were trained in Bronze Medallion Courses and to strengthen this capacity. AusAID at the time, approved a three year program, where two Australian Volunteers would be mobilized each year from 2011 to 2013 and hosted by
the Samoa Tourism Authority to deliver training programs to tourist resort staff and local residents.

To ensure the sustainability of the SLS Program in Samoa, STA committed in recruiting volunteers so that trainings can be continued for the future.


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