Gold Coast lifeguards are preparing for a massive holiday season, with extended patrols beginning this weekend.
This summer, warm weather and huge beach crowds are expected along the coast, with a fresh reminder to swim between the flags.
All Gold Coast beaches will be now patrolled between the hours of 7.30am and 6.30pm in the flagged areas.
In 2022, there have been 1250 rescues on the Gold Coast and lifeguards have prevented over 32,000 potential ocean-related rescues or incidents.
Chief Lifeguard Chris Maynard says both City of Gold Coast Lifeguards and volunteer surf lifesaving clubs will commence the extended hours from Saturday.
“This summer there will be 220 professional lifeguards working along the coast keeping our beaches safe,” Mr Maynard says.
“We will be patrolling 41 beaches from Rainbow Bay to the Seaway for the duration of the holiday period”.
There will also be an early morning lifeguard presence from 6am at 20 of the busiest beaches to respond to emergencies.
The 20 volunteer surf lifesaving clubs will also provide extended patrol hours from 7am to 6pm on the weekends and public holidays with support services doing dawn and dusk mobile patrols.
“The importance of swimming only during patrol hours and between the red and yellow flags remains the number one priority for all beachgoers,” Mr Maynard says.
“We want everyone to have a safe and happy Christmas on our wonderful Gold Coast beaches.”
The City’s new surf safety campaign has been released in time for the summer holidays, targeting young men between 18 and 35 who don’t follow rules on our beaches.
The second of two ads will be released this weekend, highlighting the serious consequences of swimming at night, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and swimming outside the flags with no lifeguard patrols nearby.
