With the holiday season upon us and hundreds of thousands of beachgoers set to visit the coastline, volunteer lifesavers and lifeguards are reminding the public that alcohol and the ocean never mix and the safest place for them this summer is at a patrolled beach between the red and yellow flags.
A warm, dry and sunny Christmas is expected across NSW, with temperatures in Sydney metro set to reach the high 20s and mid 20s in our regions, including popular holiday locations in Byron Bay, Forster, and south to Batemans Bay.
Not only that, increasing heat throughout the state over the coming days – peaking in the early and mid 30s all along the coastline this weekend – has lifesavers on red alert in what is traditionally the busiest period of the season.
Last year, between 18 December 2023 and 7 January 2024 – being the three-week period leading up to Christmas and into the New Year – volunteer lifesavers performed 517 rescues, which accounted for more than 15% of the total figure for the year (3,222).
Over the same period, more than 50,000 preventative actions and 1,300 first aids were delivered – the former figure just under 25% of the preventative actions taken over the full year (235,272).
Surf Life Saving NSW CEO, Steve Pearce says that the volunteer force of more than 21,000 active patrolling members is prepared for a big few weeks.
“We are blessed with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and equally so with some of the most passionate and dedicated volunteers who work non-stop on weekends and public holidays through the holiday season to keep us safe,” he said.
“Our number one priority over the coming weeks is to ensure everyone who visits the beach has a good time, but also gets to go home with their family.
“Our lifesavers are there to look out for you, but it’s also up to the public to make sure that they swim between the flags where they are visible to our patrol teams. If our lifesavers can’t see you, they can’t save you.”
Since 1 July 2024, there has been 15 coastal drownings in NSW – down from 18 at the same time last year.
Over the period of 18 December 2023 to 7 January 2024, there were seven coastal drownings – including two on Christmas Day, one on Boxing Day, and three on the NSW Central Coast.
Mr Pearce hopes to see that figure drop to zero this year.
“Our concern is particularly those visiting unpatrolled beaches. The number one danger on our beaches is rip currents. If you see anyone in trouble please call Triple Zero (000) police, which then enables us to task a range of lifesaving assets to get there early for rescue or medical support,” he said.
“You can also look out for our Emergency Response Beacons which now sit at 53 unpatrolled locations across NSW.
“These provide a direct link to our Surf Life Saving NSW State Operations Centre (SOC) and allows our SOC operator to quickly gather important information from people on the beach about an evolving incident, issue instructions or provide reassurance in an emergency situation. They can then dispatch the appropriate resources to the location.”
In NSW, drowning deaths are around 3 times more likely to occur on Christmas and Boxing Day.
As beach numbers grow during the Christmas period and temperatures climb, Surf Life Saving NSW is asking holiday makers along the NSW coastline to be vigilant and aware of just how unpredictable surf conditions can be.
Surf Life Saving NSW lifeguards are also positioned at Lake Parramatta and Penrith Beach to keep visitors safe in these summer hotspots.
Friday 20 December 2024