Surf lifesaving volunteers have returned to Coogee Beach, with red and yellow flags now flying to mark the start of the 2024/25 Surf Life Saving Patrol Season, which will see over 21,000 volunteers patrolling beaches across New South Wales.
The patrol season commenced on 28 September and will run until 27 April 2025, ensuring that beachgoers can swim safely throughout the warmer months.
Launch at Coogee Beach, surf lifesaving volunteers raised the iconic flags to symbolise the start of patrols. Last season, lifesavers and lifeguards performed more than 4,400 rescues and completed around 1.1 million preventive actions along the NSW coastline.
Community Commitment to Beach Safety
During the patrol season, volunteers from Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) are stationed at 129 beaches on weekends and public holidays.
For local surf lifesaver Thomas Hetherington, who has been involved with SLSNSW since the age of seven, the return of the flags marks the beginning of another season of helping his community. He shared that lifesaving is a family tradition, and many in the surf lifesaving community look forward to this time of year as it brings people together.
The community’s contribution to beach safety is vital, with surf lifesaving volunteers stepping up each year to provide an important service. Beyond rescues, preventive actions are key in avoiding dangerous situations before they escalate, ensuring beachgoers can enjoy the ocean safely.
New Equipment Boosting Lifesaving Efforts
To enhance lifesaving efforts, $72 million over the next four years has been committed to SLSNSW, delivering new equipment and resources for lifesavers across the state. This season, volunteers will have access to 14 new jet skis to assist rescues and 11 upgraded rescue vehicles equipped to handle incidents in remote locations.
Additional safety measures include installing emergency response devices at high-risk locations. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to improve water safety and reduce the number of coastal drownings, which claimed 61 lives last year, all at unpatrolled beaches or outside of patrol hours. The government has also developed a new water safety campaign to reach at-risk communities with essential safety messages.
Looking Ahead to a Safer Summer
New resources and technology are expected to improve response times and provide better support for volunteers as they manage beach safety during the busy summer season. The Coastal Safety Data Hub has been developed to allow lifesavers and government agencies to coordinate efforts better and manage risks along the coastline.
As the patrol season kicks off, SLSNSW President Peter Agnew expressed confidence that the new equipment and resources will help keep people safe along the state’s beaches. He highlighted the ongoing dedication of the volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure beachgoers have a safe and enjoyable experience.
While ensuring safety at the beach, the patrol season also fosters a strong sense of community and teamwork, with volunteers from all walks of life coming together to serve and protect their local beaches.
Published 1-Oct-2024
