Beach safety receives

COUNCIL’S lifeguard service is recruiting extra staff, extending patrol hours and calling for community help as it prepares for a Commonwealth Games boom on the city’s beaches.

Already Australia’s largest lifeguard service, the team has hired an extra 30 professional lifeguards to cope with the unprecedented number of international visitors expected to hit Gold Coast beaches next April.

The rookies join the 40 permanent lifeguards and 130 seasonal and casual staff already employed by council – and the recruitment drive may not be over yet.

“Most of them will get a start (during the Games) but depending on their availability, we might even do another intake,” chief lifeguard Warren Young said.

“The Games will be a bit similar to the Christmas break where we get enormous crowds and if that happens in April, we’ll be ready to deal with it.

“It’s an enormous responsibility … but the good thing is we know where they’re going to be, such as Games venues like the beach volleyball (at Coolangatta) and across from The Spit.

“It’s a challenge for the city but between council’s commitment and the surf lifesaving clubs, we’ll do a good job.”

Mr Young said lifeguards would extend their patrols from 6am-6pm each day of the Games, which is in line with the usual peak summer period.

He said residents also had a crucial role to play in educating tourists about surf safety.

“A lot of visitors will come from areas that have no affinity with oceans and beaches so it will be up to us to teach them,” Mr Young said.

“If you’re living or staying near people from out of town and they’re heading to the beach, it would be good to tell them to swim between the flags. Everyone in the city has a responsibility.”

Mr Young said council was blessed when it came to recruiting lifeguards.

“There are a lot of potential recruits from the surf club fraternity and surfers who have all the qualifications,” he said.

“We’re very lucky because a lot of councils around Australia don’t have those numbers ... we’ve got some great young men and women to choose from.