Introducing... Head Above Water

Head Above Water Podcast
Meet comedians and good mates Sashi and Suren—one loves swimming and water, the other doesn’t like getting wet! Together they’re learning what Australians enjoy about water and how to get amongst it, from the basics of adult swimming lessons, to understanding how to spot a rip in the surf.
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We lost 323 people to drowning incidents in Australia, and a big percentage of those people who lost their lives were from multicultural backgrounds.
Suren Jayemanne
Australia is surrounded by water.
Sashi Perera
Wherever you look in this country, there's a new place to explore. There's so much coastline, there's rivers and waterfalls. It can be exhilarating, breathtaking,
Suren Jayemanne
or sometimes, to be honest, a little bit scary.
Sashi Perera
What do you find scary, Suren?
Suren Jayemanne
Well, the most terrifying thing in the world to me is I go to the beach and I end up on Bondi rescue wearing cargo pants.
Suren Jayemanne
What about you, Sashi?
Sashi Perera
I always worry as soon as I can't feel the ground beneath my toes when I'm swimming. Always makes me panic.
Suren Jayemanne
Some of the things Aussies take for granted about water culture have made us laugh and scratch our heads.
Sashi Perera
I could not get over the shark siren on Cottesloe Beach.
Suren Jayemanne
Yeah, or those tiny little bathers, what do they call them, budgie smugglers.
Sashi Perera
I'm Sashi Perera, a 2nd generation Sri Lankan Australian comedian, writer, and recovering lawyer.
Suren Jayemanne
And I'm Suren Jayemanne. I'm also Sri Lankan Australian, and I have never learned to swim. Like, I'm a grown man, I'm 38 years old. I've got a bank account and a job. I know how to change a tyre, but I don't know how to swim.
Sashi Perera
Don't worry, Suren, I'm going to help you and other new Australians to learn how to be more comfortable in and around the water.
Suren Jayemanne
This is Head Above Water, a podcast series from SBS Audio. We'll take you to a local swimming pool where plenty of adults are learning to swim.
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Let's understand what to do and what not to do when we are in the water.
Sashi Perera
You'll meet a lifeguard who gives you the lowdown on what to look out for in the surf.
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The lifesavers are constantly watching, and if you need any kind of help, we are seconds away from you.
Suren Jayemanne
Whether you're casting a line to fish,
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you really are right there amongst the elements
Sashi Perera
or jumping on a boat for a day on the water.
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The most important safety item is the vessel itself.
Sashi Perera
And it's not just about the beach or the pool. We'll also chat about staying safe while swimming in Australia's gorgeous rivers, creeks, dams and water holes.
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I love going out to swim, especially in natural areas, but you need to have your lines of defence, and knowing how to swim would be your biggest one.
Suren Jayemanne
So come along and help me learn to be more confident in the water and find out how you can stay safe and feel part of Australia's incredible water culture.
Sashi Perera
You can find the Head above Water series as part of the Australia Explained podcast from SBS Audio.