SIXTY special needs students graduated from Sutherland Shire Council's Surf Survival course last week.
The students completed an eight-week program to build surf skills and awareness, which included identifying potential dangers in the surf, such as determining safe and non-safe swimming areas, rips, currents and wave types.
Council lifeguards gave participants tips on swimming, treading water, survival stroke, dolphin dives, board paddling techniques and performing board rescues.
The lifeguards were assisted by Josh Feeney, who completed the surf survival course several years ago and has since taken up a volunteer role in the council's lifeguard headquarters.
Sutherland Shire mayor Steve Simpson said the aim of the course was to make the students become stronger and more confident in the surf.
"Hopefully, these are skills that they are going to take with them throughout their lives and share with their family and friends," he said.
"It may even be the introduction they need to whet the appetite for further challenges in surf lifesaving in future."