AS NSW recovers from a burst of early summer heat lifeguards from the Australian Lifeguard Service (ALS) are urging holidaymakers to swim at patrolled locations
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Beaches across Kempsey, Bellingen and Nambucca have long been known as tourist hot spots, and with patrols starting earlier this week the lifeguards are on their toes as they anticipate a busy Christmas period.
In Bellingen, lifeguards will be patrolling North Beach and Hungry Head from December 16 for a five-days-a-week service until January 28. Additionally they will also be on duty for half-day shifts on weekends meaning that visitors and locals alike will have plenty of opportunities to swim at a patrolled location.
In Nambucca lifeguards will stationed at Valla seven-days-a-week, and they will also run patrols at Scotts Head and Nambucca (Monday-Friday).
Across Kempsey and surrounding areas Grassy Head, South West Rocks (Horseshoe Bay), South West Rocks, Hat Head, and Kempsey/Crescent Head will all have lifeguards over what is tipped to be another busy summer season.
Local surf life saving clubs will also be on patrol on weekends and public holidays ensuring that there will be plenty of help on hand should it be required by anyone getting into difficulty in the water.
An ALS NSW Lifeguards spokesperson said lifeguards are looking forward to resuming their patrol duties after performing strongly in their annual proficiency tests.
“We are at the stage of the season now where all the testing is complete and everyone is just really looking forward to putting their skills into practice.
“This year we will be continuing to emphasise preventative actions on the part of our lifeguards to ensure that potentially dangerous situations are dealt with before they escalate. This could include such actions as encouraging swimmers to swim between the flags and identifying hazards that could impact on beachgoers safety.”
Lifeguards from the ALS will be on patrol at the following local beaches throughout the summer;
Bellingen Council
North Beach 16/12/17 to 28/01/18 (5 days + ½ on weekends)
Hungry Beach 16/12/17 to 28/01/18 (5 days + ½ on weekends)
Nambucca Council
Valla Beach - 16/12/2017 to 28/01/2018 (7 days)
Nambucca - 18/12/2017 to 25/01/2018 (5 days)
Scotts Head - 18/12/2017 to 25/01/2018 (5 days)
Kempsey Council
Grassy Head - 16/12/2017 to 28/01/2018 (7 days)
South West Rocks (Horseshoe Bay) - 16/12/2017 to 28/01/2018 (7 days)
South West Rocks - 18/12/2017 to 25/01/2018 (5 days)
Hat Head - 18/12/2017 to 25/01/2018 (5 days)
Kempsey/Crescent Head - 18/12/2017 to 25/01/2018 (5 days).
