New SBS podcast Head Above Water dives into water safety

There have been more than 357 drowning deaths in Australia over the past 12 months, a 27% increase on the 10-year average, according to the National Drowning Report 2025. With a clear need for more water safety education, new SBS Audio podcast series, Head Above Water, takes an entertaining approach to helping new Australians feel more confident and comfortable in the waves, waterways, beaches and pools.

Hosts of Head Above Water, Suren Jayemanne (L) and Sashi Perera (R)

Hosts and comedians Sashi Perera and Suren Jayemanne share Sri Lankan heritage, a sharp sense of humour and a close friendship. One is a skilled swimmer, while the other prefers not to get wet. Together, they learn why Australians love the water and how to participate in this pastime, from the basics of adult swimming lessons to the way water can bring families closer including through device-free time together.

Sashi said:

“It’s exciting to dive into water adventures and safety along with the intricacies of different cultural expectations and etiquette. For myself that meant navigating a culture that encourages modest swimwear to one that celebrates bikinis. It’s hard enough to know what to wear to the beach, let alone the swimming part.”

Suren added:

“As someone who grew up in Australia but wasn’t raised to be confident around water, I’ve always felt on some level I’m missing out. We’re so fortunate to have so many beautiful spots to enjoy the water, but it’s so important to know how to have fun safely. In this podcast, we help new Australians build swimming comfort and confidence, with expert advice from water safety specialists, Olympians, and community leaders.”

Joining the series is one of Australia’s greatest Olympic swimmers, Ian Thorpe, who reflects on swimming as a skill for life, and the extraordinary mental health benefits it brings.

Ian says in episode 2:

“I can almost be in a meditative state when I’m swimming. When you get into a body of water it’s as though any of your problems, anxieties, worries that you may have, dissipate with the ripple of the water. Once you get relaxed enough that could be standing on the bottom of the pool where you’re comfortable that you’re just surrounded by water.”

Head Above Water coincides with Australia heading toward summer. The warmer weather draws people toward beaches, pools, lakes and rivers.

The first episode dives into surf, sun and preparing for a safe beach day with Life Saving Victoria’s Rami Hussesini. Across the series, listeners will also hear from Sikh community leader Harpreet Kandra, who developed a pool program for multicultural Australians. General Manager of Australia’s Boating Industry, Neil Patchett, shares the dos and don’ts of boats, jet skis and kayaks; Head of Research, Evaluation and Insights at Life Saving Victoria, Dr Bernadette Matthews, highlights the risks of rock fishing; and finally, Chief Ranger for Werribee Plains, James Brincat, appears alongside SBS Indigenous Lead, Kerri-Lee Barry, to talk about inland waterways.

All episodes of Head Above Water are available now. Listen to all of SBS Audio’s podcasts on the SBS Audio App, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, LiSTNR or wherever you stream podcasts.