The ocean can change its mind in a second and that’s what makes these volunteers so important to coastal communities.<\/p>\n
Surf Life Saving Club volunteers patrol ten beaches along the Bellarine Peninsula and Surf Coast.<\/p>\n
These crews in yellow and red are an iconic part of Australia who have dedicated their time to protecting locals and tourists alike.<\/p>\n
Training for years in water safety, resuscitation and retrieval, they don’t want to use their skills but are ready whenever they are needed.<\/p>\n
Jan Juc Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) captain, Peter Saw, coordinates 180 volunteer patrol members.<\/p>\n
Patrolling Jan Juc beach between November and April each year, one of the club’s seven patrol groups is there every weekend.<\/p>\n
It’s no simple feat qualifying to patrol, but it’s something each member takes in their stride.<\/p>\n
“All our members take it pretty seriously,” Saw said. “I do it because I love the beach, I love the water, and you get that satisfaction if you do a rescue.<\/p>\n
“We’ve done a number of rescues this season and the gratification is important. It feels like you’re doing a service for your community.”<\/p>\n
Saw said SLSCs in coastal communities are imperative and he encouraged parents to get their children involved too.<\/p>\n
Beach-safe skills, he said, should never be undervalued.<\/p>\n
“Our Nipper program teaches the young kids how to handle themselves in the surf, look after each other, how to sport a rip,” Saw said.<\/p>\n
“We’re one of the most dangerous beaches on the coast, so if you can swim at Jan Juc, you can pretty much swim anywhere.”<\/p>\n
This March, Surf Life Saving Australia is celebrating its first Red and Yellow Day, recognising the volunteers who patrol Australia’s beaches.<\/p>\n
The day honours their tireless efforts to keep beaches safe and reducing drowning incidents across the country.<\/p>\n
Saw said the day is a great reminder for even the most confident of beach-goers to be cautious.<\/p>\n
“The ocean can change at any moment. A rip can form and catch you by surprise and that’s why it’s important to swim between the flags,” he said.<\/p>\n
“That’s one of the reasons for the Red and Yellow Day, to highlight that importance.”<\/p>\n
Surf Life Saving Australia will celebrate the first Red and Yellow Day on 4 March.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The ocean can change its mind in a second and that’s what makes these volunteers so important to coastal communities. Surf Life Saving Club volunteers patrol ten beaches along the Bellarine Peninsula and Surf Coast. These crews in yellow and red are an iconic part of Australia who have dedicated their time to protecting locals […]<\/p>\n