The original beach rescue series Bondi Rescue is back for a fifth season.

Over the last four summers Australian Television audiences were introduced to the dramatic world of the Bondi lifeguards the real life heroes who patrol one of the world's busiest and most famous beaches.

In Bondi Rescue the audience sees the action through the eyes of real characters and lifeguards like Hoppo Deano Reidy Maxy Whippet and Harries who deal with anything from shark scares to mass rescues resuscitations lost children thieves and perverts. Their larrikin humour teamed with their ability to save lives has charmed beachgoers and viewers alike.

Head Lifeguard Bruce Hopkins (aka Hoppo) expects his team to give everything they've got. But with a maximum of eight lifeguards on duty at any one time watching over more than 40000 beach goers on a summer's day the question is sure to arise 'will that be enough'

Performing around 2500 rescues each season with crowds exceeding 2.5 million people per year these lifeguards certainly have their work cut out for them.

Bondi Rescue has attracted huge international interest and has been distributed worldwide including the UK Sweden Norway Germany Denmark and New Zealand.

Helmet cams new lightweight board mounted cameras underwater photography and water proof sound equipment makes sure audiences get all the action of the dramatic rescues including close-up coverage in the surf.

Viewers are so close to the action and are entrenched in the importance of every second - the panic breathlessness and interaction between the lifeguard and the victim. There is no doubt about it Bondi Rescue celebrates the unsung heroes of Australia's best asset- the beach.