Lifeguards and volunteer lifesavers meet at Broulee to learn about the new mobility mats. Photo: ESC.
Lifeguards will be on duty every day across eight beaches in the Eurobodalla Shire these summer holidays, giving everyone a good reason to get down to the sand and enjoy the water safely.
“Of our 83 beaches, there’s so many amazing locations to swim, but the safest is between the red and yellow flags under the watchful eye of lifesavers,” Eurobodalla Mayor Mathew Hatcher said.
The beaches will be patrolled from 9 am to 5 pm from now until 26 January 2023.
They are: Surf Beach Batemans Bay, Malua Bay, Broulee South, Moruya North Head, Moruya South Head, Tuross Main, Dalmeny and Narooma Surf Beach.
Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) says 76 per cent of Australia’s 141 coastal drowning deaths occurred more than one kilometre away from the nearest lifeguard service or outside patrol times in 2021.
Earlier this month, SLSA discussed research from UNSW’s Beach Safety Research Group, which found that the reasons that people chose to swim at beaches with no flags were varied.
But two reasons that stood out were that the beach was the closest beach to holiday accommodation or people wanted to find a beach away from the crowds.
It is, of course, a wonderful time to be at the coast and the beaches are expected to get busy as the shire’s population triples over summer.
Mayor Hatcher said roads and waterways could be dangerous with extra people moving about.
“We all know how hectic traffic can be, same with our boat ramps, so avoid peak times if you can,” he said.
Lifeguarding Services Australia CEO Stan Wall said there was a mix of new and returning lifeguards trained and ready for a ripper season in the Eurobodalla.
“Each summer we see beach conditions change quite rapidly, especially at Dalmeny and Tuross where inlets influence the swimming zone. It keeps lifeguards on their toes,” he said.
“Before going for a swim, ask lifeguards about the conditions. They’re all locals and know the beaches like the back of their hands.”
Meanwhile, Mayor Hatcher also applauded council’s new mobility mats which are being used at seven of the patrolled beaches.
“They’re not only wheelchair-friendly, they’re also unreal for elderly people not as steady on their feet, people with injuries or kids in prams too,” he said.
For more information on the patrolled beaches, visit council’s website.
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