Beachgoers into the summer have 21,000 more reasons to smile as Surf Life Saving NSW’s active core of volunteer lifesavers returned to our beaches on Saturday 28 September, marking the start of the 2024/25 patrolling season.
Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib joined surf lifesavers and Nippers for the symbolic raising of the red and yellow flags at Coogee Beach this morning and recognised the important role volunteers play in public safety along the NSW coastline.
After unseasonable warmth through the early Spring period and the likelihood this will continue over the coming months, lifesavers begin the season on high alert but buoyed by the addition of important rescue equipment and materials to help keep beachgoers safe.
With support from the NSW Government, a suite of new equipment, vessels and safety campaigns aimed at reducing coastal drownings is being rolled out across the state, including rescue water craft (jet skis), rescue services vehicles and Emergency Response Beacons (ERBs).
Indeed, over the past 12 months; 14 new jet skis and 11 rescue services vehicles, kitted out with vital lifesaving equipment, have been brought into service across the state, and eight new ERBs have been installed at identified high-risk locations across the state.
The NSW Government is also supporting the development and rollout of a new water safety campaign, targeting at-risk members of the community with critical safety messaging after a spike in coastal drownings last season.
From July 1 2023 to June 30 2024, there were 61 coastal drownings in NSW. All of these occurred either outside patrol hours or at unpatrolled locations.
“Our volunteer lifesavers do an incredible job, and people need to do their bit by swimming in patrolled areas during patrol hours – no matter how strong a swimmer you consider yourself to be,” Minister Dib continued.
“Awareness is key, and through expanded community programs and a new national water safety campaign, we’re reaching at-risk groups with lifesaving knowledge that will make a real difference this summer.”
Surf Life Saving NSW President, Peter Agnew AM thanked the NSW Government for its continued support of the movement and urged beachgoers to be cautious, to observe water safety advice from lifesavers or lifeguards, and to take responsibility for themselves and their families when heading to the coastline this summer.
While the movement continues to grow and the need for lifesavers along our coastline grows with it, many surf clubs are experiencing problems attracting enough volunteers to meet the increasing demand, particularly in regional areas.
“We’re excited to be back on NSW beaches for another patrol season. We look forward to making the most of new rescue equipment which will help us protect lives along our coastline this summer,” he said.
“It’s pleasing to see the NSW Government acknowledges the value of the contribution made by our skilled and highly trained volunteer lifesavers.
“That being said, we do still need help – not just from the public to observe our basic safety messaging like swimming between the flags and at patrolled beaches, and not just from those who are capable of performing a rescue.
“Last year our volunteer lifesavers performed 3,200 rescues, nearly a quarter of a million preventative actions and over 11,000 first aids. But it’s what happens behind the scenes as well that plays an important part in public safety.
“You can volunteer as little or as much as you like and in many different roles, from admin, to first aid, to teaching Nippers or helping in the club canteen.
“It’s great for your fitness, it’s great for your mental wellbeing, and you get to be a part of a truly incredible community of people.”
The volunteer Surf Patrol season runs until 27 April 2025.
Saturday 28 September 2024