Training begins this week for a new crop of Randwick Council Lifeguards who will patrol Maroubra, Coogee and Clovelly beaches this year, with weekend support from Surf Lifesaving Australia.

The 40 trainees will undergo theoretical exercises and physical drills, including a 600m ocean swim, 200m soft sand run and 600m board paddle, to prepare for the full summer patrol, which starts Friday, 15 September 2017. Training also covers drills using jet skis, quad bikes and spinal boards for spinal injuries.

Randwick’s three popular beaches hosted more than 8.8 million visitors in the past year, with even more swimming at smaller beaches and oceanside pools.

In that same period, Randwick Council Lifeguards performed 325 rescues, moved more than 20,000 swimmers to safer swimming areas and attended to 9,550 first aid treatments ranging from minor scratches to bluebottle stings and resuscitations.

“The primary role of our Lifeguards is to provide a safe swimming environment for the community,” said Randwick Mayor Noel D’Souza. “Sadly, several families suffered tragic losses last year due to a number of drownings. This year we want a zero-fatality summer. The currents, waves and rips at our beaches present particular challenges to swimmers, and we want to remind them of our key water safety messages.

“We urge people to not swim alone and always swim between the red and yellow flags. More importantly, if there are no flags raised then do not swim! This is especially the case after 7pm when beaches are no longer patrolled.”

Lifeguard hours will be extended from 7am to 7pm as of Sunday 1 October 2017, with 45 full-time, seasonal and casual Lifeguards working over the summer season at Clovelly, Coogee and Maroubra Beaches.

Randwick lifeguards beach safety tips

Follow these simple rules to be safe at the beach:

• Always swim between the Red and Yellow flags, never swim outside them
• Do not swim directly after a meal or if under the influence of alcohol
• Only swim when the red and yellow flags are raised. If there are no flags, the beach is closed or unpatrolled, DO NOT SWIM!
• Do not panic if caught in a current/rip. Raise one arm into the air to signal for lifeguard assistance. Float until help arrives.
• Do not swim if unsure of surf conditions. Always seek the advice of a lifeguard or lifesaver.
• FOR ANY WATER RELATED EMERGENCY RING 000 AND ASK FOR POLICE

Key beach statistics (from July 2016 to June 2017):

• Total visitation to Randwick City beaches was 8.8 million people.
• December, January and February were the busiest months, accounting for 43% of all visitation.
• Lifeguards performed 325 surf rescues throughout the year.
• Number of surf rescues:  Clovelly (33), Coogee (75) and Maroubra (217).
• Lifeguards performed 9,550 First Aid treatments and took close to 21,000 preventative actions.

Visit randwick.nsw.gov.au to check out the surf conditions with our Daily Lifeguard Report for Clovelly, Coogee and Maroubra Beaches.