Central Coast Council is reminding residents and visitors to the Central Coast of the importance of beach safety this summer.

Mayor Jane Smith said Council cannot highlight enough the importance of being aware and understanding the risks when visiting the beach.

“The beach is a place for the whole community, for everyone to enjoy and have fun,” Mayor Smith said.

“However, the unpredictability of the surf can make it dangerous even for regular beach-goers and strong swimmers so it is important to keep safety at the top of mind when visiting our beaches.

“Always swim between the red and yellow flags – this is the safest part of the beach for swimming and the only sections that are patrolled and under observation by Council Beach Safety staff and Surf Life Saving members.

“If you are at a beach or area without flags, you should not go swimming.

“Supervising children is essential – adults need to stay within arm’s length and watch young children at all times, even in shallow water, to keep them safe.

“Visitors and even regular beachgoers need to be mindful that beach conditions can change at any time so it is best to be cautious to stay safe.”

With the beach patrol season in full swing, beachgoers are encouraged to follow these simple safety tips:

• Only swim at patrolled beaches
• Only swim between the red and yellow flags
• Remember - if the lifeguards can’t see you, they can’t save you
• Children must be supervised at all times and never left alone
• If you do get into difficulty, remain calm, float and raise your arm to signal for help
• Never swim if you’re feeling unwell or have been drinking alcohol
• Red and yellow flags indicate supervised and patrolled areas
• Black and white flags indicate surf craft exclusion zones.

“This time of the year is the busiest period for our lifeguards, who provide a vital service to our community each and every day. I cannot thank them enough for the important work they do to keep us safe,” Mayor Smith said.

In December 2018, more than 423,600 people attended our Central Coast beaches and Council lifeguards attended 1,243 instances requiring first aid, performed 313 rescues and more than 7,210 preventative actions.

During the summer peak holiday period, Council lifeguards patrol 16 beach locations from Monday to Friday, while Surf Life Saving members patrol these locations on the weekends and public holidays. Council lifeguards also patrol The Grant McBride Baths Monday to Sunday.

Until 1 February, all locations will be patrolled from 9am-6pm, with the exception of Umina, Avoca and Terrigal which will operate from 8am-6pm. An additional patrol is also undertaken during the Christmas holiday period at Budgewoi Beach from 9am-6pm.

The Grant McBride Baths at The Entrance will also be supervised from 9am-5pm until 29 April.