Stay COVID-safe between the flags and on the sand this beach season

The weather is warming up, the days are getting longer, and lockdown feels like it might lift sooner rather than later. And right on time, the red and yellow flags are going up, with professional lifeguards joining surf lifesaving volunteers on our beaches all the way up and down our beautiful coastline from this weekend.

From picturesque Palmy to beautiful Manly, Council’s professional lifeguards share the immense responsibility of keeping our beaches safe with volunteers from 21 Surf Life Saving Clubs.

Throughout the week, on weekends and public holidays, a combination of volunteer surf life savers and lifeguards manage beach safety. They work together to ensure visitors and residents are safe and comfortable whether on the sand or in the water.

Last summer, a COVID interrupted beach season still saw over 7 million people visit our beaches. Lifeguards and volunteers successfully performed 669 rescues and rendered first aid to 3590 people.

With COVID still playing a large part in our lives, we remind beach-goers to follow all relevant Public Health Orders by not gathering in large groups, wearing masks when out of the water and not exercising.

Also, ensure you know your swimming capability, swim between the flags, read the water conditions, follow the direction of lifeguards and beach signage and if you’re not sure, ask a lifeguard or lifesaver for advice.

And don’t forget to cover up from the sun’s harmful rays and slip, slop, slap.