There were 60 surf rescues on the Sunshine Coast over the holiday long weekend and no surprises who found themselves in the most danger.
The Christmas break, which produced good weather, 1m of easterly swell and north-easterly winds, attracted the traditional spike in visitor numbers, with Queenslanders stepping up to fill late cancellations from NSW linked to the border closure.
Surf lifesavers and lifeguards had their hands full with beach attendance at patrolled beaches from Christmas Day to Monday soaring past 300,000, according to Surf Life Saving Queensland data compiled for sunshinecoastnews.com.au. Stats are logged by patrol captains and lifeguards each patrol.
There were 60 rescues on the Sunshine Coast with 78 per cent of those who found themselves in danger being male and 97 per cent of rescues performed outside the red and yellow flags.
Surf lifesavers have increased “roving patrols” – on foot, in all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) or using inflatable rescue boats (IRBs) – in recent seasons to help stem the loss of life outside main patrolled areas.
Of particular concern was some of those plucked from harm in the surf were as young as six. The oldest was 60.
Coolum North lifeguards saw the most action, performing 12 rescues, followed by Maroochydore volunteer surf lifesavers who saved 10 stricken swimmers over the long weekend.
Across the Sunshine Coast, a massive 6,663 preventative actions were undertaken, where lifesavers and lifeguards intervene and advise swimmers to move if they suspect they are near a rip, not coping with the conditions or getting out of their depth.
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There were 208 first aid treatments due to mishaps in the water or on the beach and 38 people treated for marine stings.
The busiest stretch of beach was Mooloolaba Spit, which had an attendance of 40,939 over the long weekend.
The Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter also performed a rescue Monday afternoon 1km north of Dicky Beach.
The chopper came to the aid of a body board rider aged in his early 20s.
Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Senior Air Crewman Paul Brennan said the helicopter was on a routine patrol when they spotted the person.
“We we spotted the bodyboard rider caught in a rip just after 3.00pm,” he said.
“The rescue crewman was winched down and successfully rescued the male. He was returned to shore where he was met by volunteer surf lifesavers from Dicky Beach.”
