An initiative developed in the wake of the Cronulla Riots has proved a success in achieving greater harmony between all beach goers.
SBS' Suheil Damouny, who gained a suf life saving medallion through the On the Same Wave progam, finds out where-- if at all-- the program's original graduates will be patrolling.
The On the Same Wave program set out to encourage young Australians of Middle Eastern backgrounds to volunteer as surf life savers.
The program's founder, Jamal Rifi, says the success shows how Arab and Muslim communities can benefit from similar programs.
"The Cronulla riots were a disastrous public relations exercise. The On the Same Wave was a very successful public relation and I am not ashamed of that," Mr Rifi said.
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Five years after violence erupted at Cronulla Beach, the On the Same Wave program successfully reached more than 15-thousand beach goers in 30 different languages.
Professional swimming-pool life guard Shadi Ghazal said through the program he has grown to respect the ocean and the pool.
"Before the program the beach was a no go zone for Arabs and Muslims, it was still a bit tender and a bit sensitive. So it literally, I think, broke down the barriers," Mr Ghazal said.
The program is now implemented Australia-wide-- with state governments handing out grants to keep the program afloat.
