SMILE LIKE DRAKE Foundation

Saving Lives, One Wave at a Time
It began with one act of courage. It continues with us. Join the cause.

Donate Now

Saving Lives, One Wave at a Time
It began with one act of courage. It continues with us. Join the cause.

Donate Now

The SMILE LIKE DRAKE Foundation is recognised by national water safety authorities and supported by leading academic and government institutions.

In partnership with:

The Global Drowning Crisis

*According to the World Health Organization in 2024

300,000

DEATHS PER YEAR

Drowning claims more than 300,000 lives every year across the globe.

#3

CAUSE OF DEATH

For children aged 5-14 worldwide.

75,000

DEATHS FOR CHILDREN UNDER
5 YEARS OLD

A heartbreaking number of young children lose their lives to drowning each year.

#4

CAUSE OF DEATH

For young children aged 1-4.

Drowning Deserves Urgent Action

Drowning is a silent epidemic – and it’s entirely preventable. Ranked as the third leading cause of unintentional injury death globally, drowning largely affects the most vulnerable: children, the elderly, and individuals in low-resource communities.

In far too many places:

Supervision is limited or nonexistent.
Water safety education is not part of the curriculum.
Public swimming facilities are unsafe or unavailable.

These tragedies often unfold in less than 30 seconds, without a sound, leaving families devastated and communities searching for answers.

The ripple effects of a single drowning can last a lifetime – emotionally, socially, and economically.

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It Takes a Village to Protect a Shore

There is a desperate need to minimise risk and maximise safety in our various water environments.

The SMILE LIKE DRAKE Foundation’s overarching objective to create a sea of safety can only be achieved with your support, the support of friends, schools, universities, communities, surf lifesaving clubs, and local state and federal governments.

The SMILE LIKE DRAKE Foundation needs your ideas, money, energy, and interest. All financial contributions are fully tax deductible. Your support will make an essential contribution towards saving lives and making our water environments safer.

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The SMILE LIKE DRAKE Foundation

The SMILE LIKE DRAKE Foundation exists to solve a clear, urgent problem:
preventable drowning.

Sparked by the courageous final act of Chris Drake, our mission is clear: to educate, equip, and empower every community to prevent needless loss of life.

The Foundation is a not-for-profit charity established to promote water safety on beaches, dams, swimming pools, and waterways in Australia and around the world.

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We provide a range of Water Safety Services that act as key initiatives in drowning prevention, including:

Protocols & Procedures

Development of standardised safety practices, services, and equipment for various water environments.
This includes:

Emergency response protocols
Trauma care and post-rescue procedures
Rescue and recovery guidelines
Standards for lifesaving and water safety equipment

Products & Equipment

Custom-designed tools and technology to support prevention and rescue, including:

Safety fences around domestic and ocean pools
Anchor points for rock fishermen
Underwater tracking and location devices at key locations

Education & Training

Programs and workshops for schools, communities, and professionals to improve safety awareness and practical skills.

Counselling & Support

Emotional and psychological support for individuals and families impacted by water-related incidents.

Research & Innovation

We collaborate with Australia’s leading universities and international experts to identify black spots, high-risk areas, and develop evidence-based safety solutions.

Community & Government Partnerships

We work alongside major recognised water safety rescue services, local councils, universities and government bodies to share data, pilot innovations, and create scalable impact.

Chris Drake, the man who sparked the SMILE LIKE DRAKE Foundation, hangs onto his board as he rides a big wave

Who was Chris Drake?

Chris Drake was a deeply loved son, brother, friend, and member of the local community. He was a law and behavioural science student, a successful athlete, surfer, and waterman who had a special effect on everyone he met.

On Saturday 16 March 2013, Chris visited the ocean pool at North Curl Curl on Sydney’s northern beaches with friends after a training session. What began as a relaxing swim turned into an unimaginable tragedy.

Chris disappeared from the pool that day. His body was discovered five long, heartbreaking days later. He was just 23 years old. Only 45 minutes earlier, he had been with his family, full of life and promise. In a single moment, he was gone.

In those final moments, Chris was helping others – acting with courage and instinct to protect those around him. His extraordinary spirit and selfless final act became the catalyst for something powerful: a movement to prevent such a loss from happening again.

READ CHRIS’ STORY

AppTrakk

Mobile safety technology for high-risk aquatic environments

AppTrakk is our state-of-the-art mobile safety solution designed to protect lives in high-risk aquatic environments. Using advanced GPS-enabled technology, AppTrakk monitors the real-time location of rock fishers and water users, instantly sending alerts to emergency contacts and relevant authorities in case of danger.

This life-saving innovation is the result of a powerful collaboration between the SMILE LIKE DRAKE Foundation, Macquarie University School of Engineering, FIRST Robotics Team 3132, Maritime Services Authority, and the Australian Federal Police.

More than just an app, AppTrakk is a beacon of safety – bridging technology and compassion to help ensure every person returns home safely.

Real-time location tracking
Automated emergency alerts
Seamless integration with emergency services

AppTrakk is proof that when community, science, and purpose unite – lives are saved.

LEARN MORE

Chris Drake, the man who sparked the SMILE LIKE DRAKE Foundation

If Water Safety Is Your Advocacy, You’re in the Right Place

Preventing drowning takes a movement, not just a mission. Whether you want to give, volunteer, partner, or advocate…

There is strength in numbers.

Together, we can make waves that save lives.

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Phone:	+61 419 333 312
Email:	[email protected]
Address:	Wentworth Street, Manly SMILE LIKE DRAKE FOUNDATION Ltd

Saving Lives, One Wave at a Time

Saving Lives, One Wave at a Time

The Global Drowning Crisis

300,000

#3

75,000

#4

Drowning Deserves Urgent Action

It Takes a Village to Protect a Shore

The SMILE LIKE DRAKE Foundation

Protocols & Procedures

Products & Equipment

Education & Training

Counselling & Support

Research & Innovation

Community & Government Partnerships

Who was Chris Drake?

AppTrakk

If Water Safety Is Your Advocacy, You’re in the Right Place

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