With the school holidays rapidly approaching, Lifeguards from across the NSW North Coast are gearing up for another busy season with their annual proficiency skills testing this weekend.

Twenty Lifeguards from the Australian Lifeguard Service (ALS) who will be based at beaches in Kempsey, Nambucca and Bellingen Local Government Areas over the coming summer will be put through a gruelling and intense session at Coffs Harbour’s Park Beach on Saturday.



The aim is for the recruits to be in peak condition and able to respond to any coastal emergency during the 2016/17 season. It’s an important part of a Lifeguard’s preseason training, and is also an opportunity for all those charged with protecting our beaches to come together and discuss procedures and any concerns ahead of the season.



Lifeguards aren’t the only ones who have a busy schedule this weekend. About 20 ALS Supervisors will travel to the SLSNSW Regional Headquarters at Port Macquarie for their annual induction meeting.



“It’s always exciting at this time of the year as we start making final preparations for a new season, and we are looking forward to the next few days,” said ALS Northern Supervisor Scott McCartney.



“Fitness is incredibly important for Lifeguards and there are benchmarks that we expect all of them to achieve. We pride ourselves on our professionalism, and this weekend is a great opportunity to see where everyone is at,” Mr McCartney concluded.



Lifeguards from the Australian Lifeguard Service will be patrolling the following beaches during the upcoming NSW School Holidays.



Kempsey



• Grassy Head (from 24/09/16)

• South West Rocks/Horseshoe Bay (from 24/09/16)

• South West Rocks (from 26/09/16)

• Hat Head (from 26/09/16)

• Kempsey / Crescent Head (from 26/09/16)



Bellingen



• North Beach (from 24/09/16)

• Hungry Head (from 24/09/16)



 



Friday 9 September 2016