ALMOST 100 SAVED AT SURFERS PARADISE
A SURGE in visitors lured by a golden run of weather and successful events has seen Surfers Paradise record the most rescues over the patrolling season.
Queensland’s red-andyellow army of volunteer beach guardians will lower their flags on Monday after one of their toughest summers.
None were busier than those patrolling the tourist magnet of Surfers Paradise.
With just this long weekend remaining, it tops the rescue numbers with 99 people saved, ahead of Mooloolaba on 98, Noosa (58), Caloundra’s Kings Beach (48) and Burleigh Heads (36).
Statistics show patrols performed an impressive 67,372 preventive actions, where lifesavers react early when beachgoers appear likely to strike trouble.
Husband-and-wife team Scott and Breanna Andrews, aged 37 and 36, were part of the Surfers contingent that worked so hard to safeguard locals and tourists.
The couple, who met through lifesaving and now have sons Ethan, 2, and Brayden, 6, completed a combined 120 hours on patrol, with Scott crewing with the Westpac Rescue Helicopter service for an additional 120-150 hours.
Mr Andrews said the huge season had been due to an extended run of good weather and range of successful events and festivals that had seen visitor numbers swell.
“It’s been very busy, so this has meant more people in the water and more rescues. We have also had some challenging conditions, larger swells, from tropical cyclones,’’ Mr Andrews said.