Swimming into a tide

Clubbies under pump as beach numbers continue to swell

GOLD Coast lifesavers have recorded their busiest summer on record and it is about to get worse.

Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) figures ahead of the final weekend of patrols show more than 1.5 million people visited the city’s beaches on weekends and public holidays from mid-September, 140,000 more than last year.

As impressive as those figures are, Gold Coast lifesaving

co-ordinator Nathan Fife said they would be surpassed next season, with thousands more lured ahead of the Commonwealth Games. He said plans were already underway to in- crease patrols. “There will probably be more jet ski roving patrols with increased flights from the Westpac Helicopter,” he said.

He said hot spots near Commonwealth Games sites close to the beach would be a challenge, including the marathon along the beachfront and beach volleyball at Coolangatta.

“We are working on what it will look like now.”

Mr Fife yesterday called for more people to become lifesavers for next year. “We defi- nitely need more volunteers,” he said.

“Living where we do, if you’ve got kids and you live near the beach I would say lifesaving is the first sport you get them into.”

Lifesavers said unstable surf conditions coupled with a 10 per cent increase in beach saw led to a tough patrol season.

But SLSQ reported no drowning off local beaches this year.

Gold Coast City chief lifeguard Warren Young said both professional lifeguards and volunteer lifesavers had put in a massive effort in the face of relentless crowds this summer.

“We are the biggest coastal city in the country and it doesn’t stop getting any busier,” Mr Young said.

“There have been some really close calls which were handled really well this year,” he said. “And we’ve had some really dodgy conditions.”

On Sunday, SLSQ is holding a Memorial Day service at Coolangatta SLSC to remember those who had lost their lives.