Flags are up as surf lifesavers return to beach patrols

The 2024/25 beach patrol season kicks off this weekend, with the familiar red and yellow flags raised across 15 Central Coast beaches from Saturday, September 28.

There will be an official raising of the flags ceremony by Surf Life Saving Central Coast on Saturday at Avoca Beach starting at 9am.

Council lifeguards patrol Central Coast shorelines between 9am-5pm Monday to Friday, and Surf Life Saving volunteers keep everyone safe on the weekends and public holidays.

Both organisations work closely to provide a seamless seven-day-a-week service keeping beachgoers safe.

Council’s beach lifeguards will also monitor The Entrance Channel throughout the October school holidays on weekends and public holidays, as well as patrol The Grant McBride Baths at The Entrance seven days a week. 

This patrol season will also see a new blue uniform worn by Council lifeguards, introduced to align with other council lifeguard services across NSW.

During the busy Christmas holiday period, from December 21 to January 31 the 15 beach locations and The Grant McBride Baths will be patrolled for an extra an hour (9am-6pm).

Council also has a suite of serviced beach wheelchairs available for free hire, along with beach matting installed at several beaches across the Coast. 

Council’s Unit Manager Leisure Beach Safety and Community Facilities, Phil Cantillon said the new ramp at Soldiers Beach, adjacent the surf club building, was expected to be finished in a few weeks, enabling easy access for lifeguard and lifesaver teams to access the beach with vehicles.

“The completion of this access ramp is the third of four new infrastructure projects at Soldiers Beach and Jenny Dixon Beach, and we know the community will welcome the completion of the ramp,” he said.

“Apart from Council’s lifeguards and Surf Life Saving volunteers providing search and rescue services for our coastal beaches, as well as emergency medical care when required, they also play an important role in educating swimmers and visitors on beach and water safety.
“This is a timely reminder to the community that while we have lifeguards and lifesavers on patrol, it is important to stay up-to-date with safety messaging so everyone can have a safe and enjoyable season.”
Key safety tips include: take the time and drive five more minutes to a patrolled beach and swim in between the flags; if you get into difficulty, stay calm, raise your arm and yell for assistance; never run or dive into the water, as the depth can change quickly.

Children should always be supervised by an adult at all aquatic locations; ask a lifesaver if unsure of the conditions; always listen to lifesavers; avoid swimming for at least one day after heavy rain to decrease exposure to stormwater pollution; be aware of obvious signs of pollution such as litter, odours and surface scum following heavy rain; and rock fishers should plan ahead, wear appropriate safety equipment, carry a charged phone and let other know where you are going.