REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD COAST BULLETIN Monday April 5, 2004

HUNDREDS of swimmers ignored danger signs and frolicked in the terrifying rips that tormented the Gold Coast.

The picture on the Bulletin’s front page, revealed the foolhardy attitude of several swimmers bathing directly in front of a ‘Danger’ sign at the Currumbin Creek mouth.

More than 30 rescues were performed at the Currumbin Alley but Gold Coast City Council lifeguards were flat out from one end of the Coast to the other.

The northern stretch of coastline was also a rescue hot spot with strong rips located every 50 to 100m north from Miami.

Multiple danger signs were placed across the entire Currumbin bay area but ignorant bathers simply walked past and swam directly in front of the big red danger signs, infuriating frustrated lifeguards.

“We put the signs out but people are still going in and getting into trouble,” said Gold Coast City Council lifeguard David Turnbull.

“We have had four danger signs out and yet we still have inexperienced surfers and swimmers just going out in front of the signs.”

The obvious thumbing of noses at bathing authority is wearing thin with lifeguards who are fearing the worst over the coming Easter holidays.

“It is going to be shocking here over Easter,” warned Mr Turnbull.

“It’s such a strong and really bad rip. I can’t see the sand coming back (to fill the hole) in the near future, so it’s going to be dangerous until the sand does come back. This isn’t the place for weak swimmers or inexperienced boardriders.”