Swim safe: watch out for your mates

Our coastline remains a favourite for beachgoers with more than seven million visitations each year, and conditions can be deadly if swimmers stray from patrolled areas. 

Sunshine Coast beaches are patrolled by thousands of volunteer lifesavers and Council also funds a team of professional lifeguards who, together, work to achieve the aim of zero preventable deaths on our beaches.

The 2024-2025 season begins this weekend (September 14) and will run until early next May.

Last season (2023-24), 7,256,261 people visited Sunshine Coast beaches, with lifeguards and lifesavers performing 666 rescues, 92,547 preventative actions and 5,289 first aid treatments. Tragically, five lives were lost: three men and two women, at locations including Maroochydore, Mooloolaba, Coolum and Mudjimba.

Lifeguards and lifesavers have renewed their call for everyone to swim between the famous red and yellow flags.

Council’s $6.7 million contribution towards lifeguarding services ensures year-round patrol services and vital rescue equipment for our community and visitors to the region.

More than 120 professional lifeguards are employed across permanent, part-time and casual positions to cover 21 patrolled beach locations, from North Coolum to Bulcock Beach.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said Council’s continued support for lifeguard services, operated by Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) across the region, was without a doubt an essential service.

“Our funding helps to provide our lifeguards and lifesavers with vital equipment they need to perform their duties, including jet skis, all-terrain vehicles (ATV), rescue boards, flags, first aid kits and portable surveillance cameras for high-risk locations,” Mayor Natoli said.

New this season

A number of improvements will be made to lifeguard services between Caloundra and Coolum to ensure Sunshine Coast beaches are even safer under the Surf Life Saving Queensland – Sunshine Coast Council Lifeguard Service Plan 2023-2028.

Among the most notable changes:

• the provision of All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) to better service Buddina and the Maroochy River Mouth with more roving patrols
• an increase in lifeguard resourcing on weekends (September to May) at Marcoola, Mudjimba and Maroochy River Mouth, and
• Bokarina will have a lifeguard presence through winter weekends.

Surf Life Saving Queensland Sunshine Coast Regional Operations Manager Aaron Purchase said Surf Life Saving Queensland was appreciative of the ongoing support from Sunshine Coast Council to keep the public safe when visiting Sunshine Coast beaches. 

“This weekend, volunteer patrols will begin across the region as the weather warms and we head into the busy summer period,” Mr Purchase said.

“With one in three beach drowning deaths last year occurring due to rip currents, it has never been more important to have regular and frequent patrols for safe swimming between the red and yellow flags.”

Sunshine Coast areas patrolled by lifeguards and lifesavers

Sunshine Coast beaches are patrolled by volunteer lifesavers every weekend and on public holidays from 7am to 5pm during the summer season with extended hours to 6pm through the busy Christmas period. This vital service supports lifeguard patrols which occur year-round.

For more information on patrolled beach locations, times and conditions visit www.beachsafe.org.au.

Sunshine Coast areas patrolled by lifeguards include:

Tier	Patrolled	Areas
Tier 1 – Major location	All year.	Kings Beach, Dicky Beach, Mooloolaba Main and Spit, Alexandra Headland, Maroochydore, Twin Waters, Mudjimba, Discovery Beach (Marcoola) and Coolum
Tier 2 – Seasonal service	Seven days a week between September holidays to May, plus weekends, school and public holidays during winter.	Bulcock, Marcoola, Buddina/Kawana, Coolum North and Bokarina.
Tier 3 – Weekend / holiday service	Weekends, school and public holidays all year.	Currimundi
Tier 4 – Lower seasonal service	Weekends, school and public holidays from September to May.	Boardwalk (Mount Coolum) and Happy Valley
Tier 5 – Summer holiday service only	School holidays between September to May.	Maroochy River Mouth, Yaroomba and Kings Beach Pool*.

*November to February

Top Tips from Surf Life Saving Australia    

• Swim at a patrolled beach between the red and yellow flags.  
• Download the BeachSafe App or visit beachsafe.org.au to find a patrolled beach and for the latest safety advice.  
• Always supervise children in, on and around water.  
• Avoid alcohol and drugs around water.  
• Wear a lifejacket when boating, rock fishing or paddling.  
• Check the conditions, including weather forecasts.  

Accessible beaches

As well, to ensure everyone can enjoy the fun at our beaches, you can book free beach matting, wheelchairs and life jackets at participating locations through Council’s Accessible Beaches Program.