A torrent of people swam outside the red and yellow flags during peak holiday season, disturbing figures have revealed.
More than one in three people went into the water outside patrolled areas during December and January, according to statistics provided to Sunshine Coast News by Surf Life Saving Queensland.
An estimated 526,691 swimmers (about 35.5 per cent of total swimmers) entered the ocean outside the flags.
There were similar numbers for the corresponding period last summer.
An SLSQ spokesperson said there continued to be too many people swimming in unpatrolled sections.
“We continue to see too many people risking their life, and the lives of our lifesavers and lifeguards, by swimming outside of the red and yellow flags,” the spokesperson said.
“The surf is unpredictable and even if it looks inviting, there can be dangerous conditions underneath.”
Three tragic incidents have been recorded at unpatrolled beaches during summer. A 27-year-old French backpacker died after being pulled from the surf at Coolum Beach, while a 27-year-old woman from Brisbane could not be revived after being pulled from the water at Happy Valley. Meanwhile, a rescue search has been scaled back for a 21-year-old Brisbane man who went missing off Teewah Beach.
The SLSQ figures reveal 658 rescues, 4192 first-aid treatments and 79,588 preventative actions on the Sunshine Coast in December and January.
There are 21 patrolled beaches throughout the region.
“The only safe place to swim is in between the red and yellow flags,” the SLSQ spokesperson said.
“At the start of summer, SLSQ launched our latest surf safety campaign.
“The campaign reminds beachgoers to not take unnecessary risks and be a lifesaver themselves by following the instructions of lifesavers and lifeguards.
“It’s the risks you don’t take that can save your life.
“SLSQ will continue to spread our surf safety and awareness messages, but we ask the public to remember one key message: swim only between the red and yellow flags and only between patrol hours.”
Sunshine Coast Surf Life Saving Services co-ordinator Shane Urban also recently urged beachgoers to swim in patrolled areas.
“We double down with the plea to swim between the flags,” he said.
“It’s not worth going outside the flags.
“Even if you feel confident and know the area, it’s a volatile environment and things can change.
“And if you’re a local, you can lead by example (and swim between the flags).”
He said lifesavers and lifeguards at patrolled beaches were being stretched, by keeping one eye on swimmers further along the shoreline.
Meanwhile, millions of people converged on the region’s beaches during the peak holiday season, further cementing the Sunshine Coast’s reputation as a holiday haven.
Total beach attendance (in and out of the water) was 4.791 million, which is an increase on the corresponding period last summer, when 4.544 million took to local beaches.
The number of swimmers outside the flags is an estimation based on the observations and recordings of patrol members on the beach. Lifesavers, lifeguards and roving patrols observe and patrol.
