Volunteer lifesavers have returned to Wide Bay and Capricornia beaches, with the 2022/23 patrol season officially underway in time for the September school holidays.
With plenty of visitors expected this spring break, Surf Life Saving Queensland is reminding beachgoers to only swim at patrolled beaches and always between the red and yellow flags.
The reminder comes after twelve of the thirteen people who tragically drowned at a Queensland beach during the 2021/22 patrol season were swimming outside of a patrolled area or time.
SLSQ lifesavers and lifeguards in the Wide Bay and Capricorn region performed 37 rescues last patrol season, with 11 of them being children under the age of twelve years.
The statistics have been revealed as part of the release of the 2022 Coast Safe Report.
Wide Bay and Capricornia regional manager Aaron Purchase has once again urged beachgoers to only swim at patrolled beaches and during patrol hours this season.
“We are seeing far too many rescues and drownings occurring outside of patrolled areas or outside of patrol hours,” said Mr Purchase.
“Across Queensland, 69 percent of beach-related drownings occurred less than one kilometre from a patrolled area.
“It is important for beachgoers to be aware of their surroundings and walk the extra few hundred metres to swim between the red and yellow flags.”
