'IF MY GRANDCHILDREN CAN BE LIFESAVERS, SO CAN I!'

Elizabeth is spending her summer keeping other beachgoers safe

Elizabeth Griffiths is no ordinary grandmother. Her free time is spent patrolling Christies Beach in South Australia, where she's a volunteer lifesaver with the local Surf Life Saving Club.

In the past few years, the 58-year-old local has trained for a Surf Rescue Certificate, a Bronze Medallion, and is currently working towards a qualification which will mean she's able to perform rescues in the inflatable rescue boat. "Most people don't believe I'm nearly 60," she laughs. Elizabeth's children were part of the local nippers group at Christie's Beach, where she was an age-group manager,  encouraging children to get involved. But it wasn't until her grandson joined nippers 18 months ago that she decided to get even more involved.

"I would spend once a week walking up and down the side of the pool while my grandchildren were training," she remembers. "I suddenly thought, "Why am I just watching? Why don't I get involved, too?"

NOW OR NEVER

To start with, Elizabeth started swimming in the pool. "I was a bit embarrassed as I'd done no formal training" she says. "As a mum and grandma, it's easy to put

STAY SAFE AT THE BEACH

1 Always swim at patrolled Kerm's reach and be sure to stay between the red and yellow flags 

2 Look for any safety signs that might include important info about strong          currents or dangerous tides

3 Ask a lifesaver for advice on beach conditions