That’s a wrap. World Conference ends with a stage full of passionate people, all sharing a common goal – to eliminate drowning.

World Conference on Drowning Prevention 2023 concluded with 750 friends, from 50 countries, all on stage and sharing in the joy, diversity, depth and relief for a conference week rich with opportunity.

Royal Life Saving Society Australia and Surf Life Saving thanks everyone for making WCDP 2023 special in so many ways.

In the hours after WCDP 2023, the event team reflects on the wonderful week of conference activities. Four words keep being repeated and shared with us by you.

Joy – expressed in so many ways. The joy of meeting old friends, making new ones, seeing them and others shine – whether on stage, while supporting delegates or staging Koala’s. It has been our pleasure to host you all. The joy received in return – measured in smiles, in feedback and gratitude has been amazing. Thank you.

Diversity – expressed in thinking, and actions, and in presentations outlining new contexts and solutions for drowning prevention. We met people from Ghana to Finland, from Brazil and Bangladesh. We engaged and debated with diverse concepts until our brains hurt with excitement, and new connections.

Depth – expressed endlessly in a room full of people committed to a common purpose. Once a small and noisy crowd focused on education, rescue and prevention. The drowning prevention community grows deeper, adding layers of expertise with each new WCDP event. The conference, field trips and workshops experienced increasingly scientific approaches, not only in research streams but everywhere. We are learning to test, to measure and to reflect on the impacts of the things we love to do.

Legacy – expressed in the actions you take next. Great conferences are fun, engaging and form many new connections. Conferences with impact rely on delegates to take those connections and turn them into action. As you return home, and burst into the coming weeks, months and years, take this sense of joy, diversity and depth forward with enthusiasm. Do great things and help us ensure that WCDP 2023 is remembered for the impact it had on you, and others.

We are grateful to our event partners; Co-sponsors – the World Health Organisation, Event Partners – Business Events Perth, Business Event Australia, Reception Partner Bloomberg Philanthropies, scholarship partner – Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, Research stream partner – Koninklijke Maatschappij tot Redding van Drenkelingen, all of the exhibitors.

We are thankful for the support of Royal Life Saving Western Australia, and all of their staff who helped, especially Lauren Nimmo, Dr Justine Leavy, Peter Leaversuch and Hayley Ray. Thank you to Surf Life Saving Western Australia and all of their staff who helped with the Margaret River field trip. In fact to everyone who helped create some great workshops, field trips and technical meetings, we are so very appreciative of the role these activities played in creating a great event vibe.

We are extremely proud of the event team, especially Monique Sharp and Maria Matheos who worked for so many months, often late into the evening to ensure the event was amazing in so many ways.

Thank you, we hope to see you all again one day soon.