A HARROWING weekend marked by rips, rescues, and tragic drownings along Victoria’s coastline has prompted lifesavers to issue an urgent warning.<\/p>\n
Surfer Jack Minter was one of a group of surfers who came to the rescue of struggling swimmers on the Surf Coast.<\/p>\n
“The rip was probably the worst rip I’ve ever seen at Jan Juc in my whole life of living here,” he said.<\/p>\n
“We watched it for about an hour and saw probably a dozen people become very close to needing help.”<\/p>\n
Mr Minter along with his mates Tom Clarke, Nat Leach and Casey McCrohan plucked two separate groups from the ocean.<\/p>\n
He said the first group was in a state of panic, and the second group was getting sucked out, so they decided to jump in before panic\u00a0set in.<\/p>\n
“We were just doing what had to be done; the lifeguards had a lot on their plate in between the flags.”<\/p>\n
The group were very thankful and said they would just stick to laying on the beach and swimming between the flags.<\/p>\n
Jane Coventry, who witnessed the ordeal, said the surfers risked their own lives performing the rescue.<\/p>\n
“The ocean is so powerful and you can be swept off your feet in a second.<\/p>\n
“Heads were going under water; it wasn’t good. Everyone looked so exhausted at the end.”<\/p>\n
Ms Coventry also suggested the use of better portable signage on days with strong rips.<\/p>\n
Monday marked the midway point of summer, with Royal Life Saving Australia highlighting an alarming increase in drowning deaths across Australia.<\/p>\n
As of January 16, the Royal Life Saving Summer Drowning Toll reports 52 deaths, a rise from the 45-deaths recorded at the same time last year.<\/p>\n
Royal Life Saving national manager for drowning prevention William Koon said the organisation urged the public to swim between the flags and heed water safety tips.<\/p>\n
“Be aware of the conditions, and understand that these can change rapidly.”<\/p>\n
There were 90 drowning deaths last summer, and this year’s figures suggest a worrying trend that could surpass this grim record.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A HARROWING weekend marked by rips, rescues, and tragic drownings along Victoria’s coastline has prompted lifesavers to issue an urgent warning. Surfer Jack Minter was one of a group of surfers who came to the rescue of struggling swimmers on the Surf Coast. “The rip was probably the worst rip I’ve ever seen at Jan […]<\/p>\n