Wheat, iron ore and tender beef may be the better known Australian exports sweeping the world.

But our much-loved Nippers program has joined the list, with Australian life savers helping to set up the program in one Israeli city and planning to expand it across the Middle East nation this year.

Israeli lifeguards have come to Australia to train and take their skills back to Israel. Credit:James Brickwood

Australian businessman Steve Rubner and his wife, who spend half the year in Israel, witnessed a spate of shocking drownings on Israel's beaches in 2013.

Rubner, a surf life saving club member, saw an opportunity to impart some Australian water safety knowledge using a bottom-up approach.