Urgent safety message for local swimmers

LOCAL and state lifesaving bodies are urging swimmers to take care in the water this summer as huge beach crowds stretch resources thin.

Torquay Surf Life Saving Club has bolstered its roster with dozens of newly trained beach patrollers to cope with the surge in surf traffic, as it works to maintain its proud record of zero fatal drownings at patrolled beaches since its foundation in 1945.

But a spate of recent drownings and deaths across the state has prompted reminders of the importance of water safety as residents and visitors flock to beaches.

Life Saving Victoria recorded 264 rescues from the fortnight starting Christmas Day, and 374 since the summer season started on November 12.

It had also reported 10 fatal incidents since the start of December, including a bodysurfing incident near Lorne’s Cumberland River mouth on Christmas evening. Eight of the deaths have occurred since Christmas Day.

The fatal statistics are in line with recent trends; this year’s figure is one fewer than the five-year average, and two greater than the 10-year average.

Torquay SLSC lifesaving director Mat Blair said the local club has seen similar rescue numbers to previous years, though the sheer number of swimmers was creating challenges for patrollers.

“I did a patrol the other day on a warm day, and we had five pairs of people spaced along the beach… just to try and handle the volume of people.

“We’ve having a much greater number of hours performed by people because our patrols are absolutely stretched on those busy days.”

Mr Blair said the enthusiasm of local youngsters had helped the club boost its numbers; it has added 76 qualified members this summer on top its existing cohort of 120 patrollers, to enable up to 15 guards to be on duty at peak periods.

Lifeguards say they are reporting up to 5,000 people daily this season at popular spots such as Torquay Front Beach.

Favourable conditions including easterly winds and low swells have made lifeguards’ jobs easier, but the volume of swimmers in the water had caused issues.

Mr Blair said the club had already responses to two serious incidents that resulted in spinal injuries and ambulance attendances after bodysurfers collided into another person in the water.

LSV area lifesaving manager Paul Lunny said risk would continue throughout the holiday period.

“With warm weather expected across the remainder of the school holidays and the January 26 public holiday approaches, we’re reminding Victorians to keep safety top of mind while in, on and around the water.”

Mr Lunny said swimmers could find important surf safety information, such as the nearest patrolled location, at Surf Life Saving Australia’s BeachSafe website at beachsafe.org.au

He said swimmers should also never swim alone, wear lifejackets when fishing or boating and avoid mixing swimming with alcohol.

Other local organisations have also joined the water safety call.

Developer Villawood Properties joined forces with Toquay SLSC to re-enforce the message and has installed a three-metre-high “Stay surf safe” sign along the Surf Coast Highway to raise awareness.

“Ocean beaches like Torquay surf beach provide an experience unlike any other, but it’s important to remember that the combination of currents, waves and tides mean even experienced swimmers should pay attention to their surroundings,” Villawood executive director Rory Costelloe said.