VACSWIM ‘Buddy’ reminds swimmers to swim together this summer

1 November 2016

For many years VACSWIM's 'Buddy' has been the smiling face behind the vital water safety and swimming messages many of us have grown up with.

To celebrate his birthday, we're bringing Buddy to life - and our smiley friend hasn't aged a bit!

The clever team at Anifex were tasked with creating a very cute and life-like clay model of Buddy, a six-week process that involved sculpting, moulding and casting before being painted and put together.

RedBikini were then in charge of giving Buddy a big break as they set up the green screen, pressed record, and worked tirelessly to bring the video together using some pretty technical skills and programs.

We can't forget to mention the young (and oh-so-talented) Ella who voiced Buddy!

 

The Sculpey clay pieces have been sculpted to shape and are ready to be dried.

 

Buddy is painted and you can see the feet, hands, hat, body and a lifebuoy.

 

All the pieces come together and we see our first glimpse of the real Buddy!

 

The team at RedBikini prepare the set for Buddy's spot in front of the camera.

 

The RedBikini team prepare another backdrop for a VACSWIM advert starring Buddy.

 

And… ACTION! The team at RedBikini bring Buddy to life through the art of computer animation.

 

The VACSWIM SA 'swim with a Buddy' message is as relevant now as it was at our inception. Buddy shares important water awareness, water safety, water confidence, water skills and water fun messages for users of all ages - reinforcing that even the most experienced swimmers can get into strife without a swimming Buddy nearby.

Buddy reminds us to 'buddy up' and always swim with a partner. When we stick with a swimming buddy, we can help each other if something happens, or get help in an emergency.

The VACSWIM SA Buddy reminds everyone that learning essential lifesaving and water safety skills can save you, or your buddy.

So 'buddy up', and always swim with a partner this summer.