The official 2017-18 surf life-saving season came to an end on Sunday, April 29. The Red and Yellow Flags were officially lowered by volunteer surf lifesavers across the Coast, at Forresters, Toowoon Bay, Bateau Bay, Shelly, the Entrance, North Entrance, Soldiers and the Lakes Beaches.
Over 1.3 million people visited the Coast’s patrolled beaches on weekends and public holidays over the season. So far, 440 lives have been saved by volunteer local Surf Life Savers, who year-by-year, devote their weekends to keeping the community safe at local beaches.
In addition to this, the guardians of the surf prevented 17,459 people from getting into difficulty and administered first aid to 1,646 people in need. Surf Life Saving Central Coast President, Mr Stuart Harvey, said he praised the Surf Lifesavers for their efforts in continuing the proud tradition of the association.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the professional services our amazing volunteers provided to the community this year,” Mr Harvey said.
“In total, our lifesavers volunteered over 100,000 patrol hours protecting the community, and their efforts have been outstanding in keeping such a huge number of people safe while enjoying our beaches,”
he said. “Many of the rescues our members made this year are nothing less than heroic, and in some cases, our members even put their own lives in danger to save others.
“Could you imagine how many people would drown each season without our lifesavers’ protection? “Our service continues to grow from strength to strength, and all clubs and members have made an enormous contribution to continue our fine tradition of providing the highest standard rescue services possible. “I can’t thank them enough for their ongoing contribution to the Central Coast community.” As of Monday, April 30, the beaches will be unpatrolled, with the flags scheduled to be raised again on Saturday, September 29.
Source: Media release, Apr 27 Chris Parker, Surf Life Saving Central Coast