The flags are back up as volunteers from Wauchope Bonny Hills Surf Lifesaving Club go back on patrol at Rainbow Beach.
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It's the 61st season the club has patrolled in Bonny Hills.
"Initially we patrolled Bartlett Beach and moved to Rainbow Beach in 1960. Our volunteer patrol members will be patrolling on weekends and public holidays until 27th April 2020.," said Leanne Goggin from WBHSLSC.
The message is: please stay safe this summer, and swim between the red and yellow flags.
"Come and join us. We are a family friendly, community based club - there's something for everyone," added Ms Goggin.
Meanwhile, lifeguards have returned to six Port Macquarie-Hastings beaches as seasonal patrols resume.
Beach patrols have commenced from 9am at Town Beach, Flynns Beach, Rainbow Beach, Lighthouse Beach, Lake Cathie and North Haven.
Port Macquarie-Hastings lifeguard supervisor James Turnham, a Lifeguard of the Year and NSW Surf Lifesaver recipient said holidaying school students from Queensland have boosted early holiday numbers in town.
Mr Turnham reminded everyone to think before they enter the water this season and consider the conditions.
"There's hundreds of beaches out there and unfortunately we can't patrol every beach. We choose those main ones and we encourage people to swim at patrolled beaches," said Mr Turnham.
"If you are swimming anywhere else you need to know your ability, swim with a friend and remember there are no lifeguards or Surf Life Savers at those unpatrolled beaches to help if something goes wrong."
Tips to stay safe this season:
- Supervise children at all times around the water
- Learn swimming and lifesaving skills
- Wear a life jacket when boating, rock fishing or paddling
- Swim at a patrolled beach between the red and yellow flags
- Avoid alcohol and drugs around water.
For more information on how to stay safe during the warmer months at the beach, use the Beach Safe App, or visit Beachsafe.org.au
Letitia Fitzpatrick
Worked as a journalist and assistant producer for BBC news and current affairs in the UK, Ulster Television, Q Radio and the Irish News in Northern Ireland. Moved to Australia and joined Fairfax Media in 2016. Won a Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship award in 2018 for reporting the Pappinbarra bushfires and the subsequent Rotary appeal which raised $30,000.
Worked as a journalist and assistant producer for BBC news and current affairs in the UK, Ulster Television, Q Radio and the Irish News in Northern Ireland. Moved to Australia and joined Fairfax Media in 2016. Won a Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship award in 2018 for reporting the Pappinbarra bushfires and the subsequent Rotary appeal which raised $30,000.
