WCDP 2025 in Egypt

The biannual World Conference on Drowning Prevention took place last week in Sharm el Sheikh on the Red Sea. Portsea’s honorary medical officer, Natalie Hood, flew to Egypt to join like-minded crusaders, uniting to discuss opportunities and programs, to work together to reduce the global drowning toll.

Natalie was attending in her role as a medical advisor to the International Life Saving Federation, and Surf Life Saving Australia. A trip to Egypt meant a stopover in Cairo to see the pyramids and the recently opened, and magnificent, Grand Egyptian Museum, before flying to the resort location for the conference. Sharm el Sheikh has coral reef swimming distance from shore, crystal clear 29-degree water, and an abundance of colourful, tropical marine life.

Natalie Hood

Participants were invited to explore the local area on a pre-conference snorkelling trip, where Natalie connected with Liz Phillips, another Portsea SLSC Associate member, who was there on behalf of her family’s charitable organization, The Phillips Foundation, that supports projects around the world, delivering holistic education opportunities to remote and disadvantaged communities. Liz has a special interest in swimming, and her foundation currently supports a program teaching local women living in the Maldives how to swim.

Natalie Hood and Liz Phillips

The conference also provided a chance to reconnect with John Mogensen, head of the Danish Lifeguards, and Thor, who was hosted by Portsea last year. The exchange program is continuing this season, with another two Danes recently arriving for the experience of a back beach summer.

Thor and John Mogensen

Sharm definitely charmed, with the Egyptian Diving and Lifesaving Federation hosting a fabulous event in a beautiful and culturally special part of the world. I’d highly recommend ticking off this bucket-list location.