A new global survey will seek to identify hero surfers.

The University of NSW Beach and Safety Research group has launched a study into how many surfers have saved the lives of struggling swimmers.

UNSW Professor Rob Brander told Deborah Knight “there’s a lot of surfers doing a lot of rescues”.

“They often surf in unpatrolled beach locations … so they’re really looking after people when there’s no lifeguards.”

Press PLAY below to hear the full interview

Image: Getty