If social distancing, masks and a raging pandemic weren’t enough to deal with in 2020, Bondi Rescue star Daniel ‘Beardy’ McLaughlin became a dad! Sitting down with New Idea, the dedicated lifesaver reveals fatherhood has been a welcome change.
WATCH BELOW: Bondi Rescue’s Hoppo saves 10 people at once.
It’s been a big 12 months for you with the arrival of your daughter, Marlowe. How are you handling fatherhood?
It’s been an amazing year for us! We were so lucky to welcome our baby, Marlowe, which has totally changed my world. Being a dad is the best.
Obviously it’s been hard, as it is for any new parent – the lack of sleep, then working 10 or 12-hour shifts starts to take its toll, but we are lucky.
The pandemic has brought many challenges, how has Bondi Beach been impacted?
It’s been similar to what it’s been for everyone else on the planet – difficult and different. Bondi was put on show when the coronavirus kicked off in Australia.
Obviously there was that massive crowd that went to the beach when people were asked to stay home.
Even though the lifeguards can’t control people’s attitude towards the pandemic, a lot of work was put into additional controls to maintain a safe beach environment and to adapt to the changing climate.
Last year, you were promoted. How are you finding the extra responsibility?
Yes, at the start of the 2019-2020 seasons I was promoted to Coordinator, Lifeguard Services.
I started lifeguarding with Waverley Council in 2001, and have been a ‘feet in sand, water’s edge lifeguard’ for 20 years and think of myself as being very experienced.
I’m ready to lead, help and support the team for whatever comes our way.
What do you love about your job?
There are so many rewarding elements to my job: working at the beach, maintaining my fitness, working in an energetic, fun team, and being able to help people enjoy the beach.
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