In the Media
Rob Brander’s research and Science of the Surf program has received significant national and international media attention over the years in news media, magazines, radio and TV. He’s always available and happy to talk about rip currents, beach safety and anything related to coastal hazards and science.
Some recent (and more notable) media over the last few years:
Dec 21, 2023: ‘Australian beachgoers are told to always ‘swim between the flags’ - but what if there aren’t any?’ - The Conversation
Dec 1, 2023: ‘You can’t teach most people to spot rips’: can AI stop Australia’s unpatrolled beach drownings?’ - The Guardian
Nov 5, 2023: ‘The Science of Surf, Sand and Rips’ - 30 minute interview on Radio New Zealand (RNZ)
Oct 1, 2023: ‘Rivers of the Sea: how far from shore can rips really take you? - Excerpts from my book crafted together in The Guardian
Sept 29, 2023: ‘Can you spot danger at the beach? Dr Rip is here to help’ - Long profile on the Sydney Morning Herald with some good rip identification slider images.
Jan 26, 2023: ‘Beach safety is an obligation’ - Sky News Australia
Jan 25, 2023: ‘What are the rules for staying safe in the water?’ - ABC Radio Nightlife
Jan 10, 2023: ‘Drowning for love’ - 5 ways to protect your life while you’re trying to rescue someone in trouble in the water - The Conversation
Jan 8, 2023: ‘Australia’s drowning crisis: why rescuers often perish trying to save family members’ - The Guardian
Dec 28, 2022: ‘Fears of a deadly summer at beaches and waterways’ - ABC Radio National
Dec 21, 2022: ‘Swimming between the flags in decline on Australian beaches’ - Sky News Australia
Nov 30, 2022: ‘Float to survive: Sydney councils push new message to save rip drownings this summer’ - 9 News
June 14, 2022: ‘Warning! Signs are not enough to save beachgoers from deadly currents’ - Hakai Magazine
June 12, 2022: ‘The Australian beach tragedy that inspired a global rip safety movement’ - The Guardian
Nov 30, 2021: ‘Rip currents: are you our of your depth?’ - Particle Magazine
July 3, 2020: ‘How coronavirus self-isolation fatigue may lead to more beach drownings this summer’ - The Conversation
Jan 4, 2018: ‘Australia’s red and yellow flags work. But we need to do more to save lives’ - The Guardian
Dec 29, 2017: ‘Beach safety: more people need to learn how to spot rip currents, researcher says’ - ABC News
December 18, 2017 ‘Rip currents are more deadly than sharks, but we just don’t take them seriously’ - Sydney Morning Herald
Some media you might find useful, educational or entertaining:
Triple J Radio Dr Karl Podcast – talking beaches and surf with the great Dr Karl Kruszelnicki!
ABC Classic FM Margaret Throsby Interview – my Science of the Surf bio set to music!
Life’s a Beach podcast on 17 January 2022 with Waverley Council Lifeguard Bruce ‘Hoppo’ Hopkins of Bondi Rescue fame. We talked about how I got involved in studying beaches and rip currents with some great information about beach safety. Listen here.
Channel 9 60 Minutes ‘The Cruel Sea’ a segment on rip currents with Karl Stefanovic