TIME COAST REPAYS DEBT

OUR sandy stretch of beach at Surfers Paradise is iconic.

Indeed the name “Surfers Paradise’’ is famous – probably more so than that of the Gold Coast. People around the world know where Surfers Paradise is and vow to swim and surf here one day. It is a must on the dream list of millions of tourists.

Being a tourist magnet makes the beach the busiest for crowds, but many visitors have little idea about the surf’s hidden dangers. That spills over into increased rescues and preventive actions by the lifesavers who patrol the busy Cavill Ave beach area from a clubhouse in a corner of the ageing Paradise Centre, separated from the surf by a busy road. Yet membership numbers make it the second smallest club on the Coast. Despite this, it feels the pressure to watch over a long section stretching north towards Main Beach. That strip is the state’s second worst surf black spot.

It makes sense the club should seek to expand membership and to set up a “north branch’’ clubhouse near Narrowneck to make the beach safer, particularly as permanent and visitor populations grow with a new wave of highrise apartment buildings.

The city has to get behind club president and former ironman champion Trevor Hendy as he drives a campaign to boost the club, its facilities and improve safety.

Surfers Paradise and its lifesavers have been key symbols of what the Gold Coast has to offer and have brought tourists in their millions. It is time to return the favour.