As the volunteer surf lifesaving patrol season concludes on local beaches, including The Strand and Picnic Bay, statistics reveal a concerning trend: beachgoers continue to disregard warnings to swim between the flags.
Across Queensland, including the North, volunteers performed 1,052 rescues this season—an increase of nearly 200 compared to the previous year. Despite the efforts of these dedicated volunteers, the number of drownings recorded during the season was the highest in the past three years.
Greg Cahill, Chief Operating Officer of Surf Life Saving Queensland, acknowledged the significant role played by the volunteers but expressed disappointment over the rising number of drownings.
“It has been a busy season,” Cahill said. “Our volunteers have kept nearly 4.3 million beachgoers safe, conducting 1,052 rescues and administering 14,657 first aid treatments over the past seven months. However, we are deeply concerned by the increase in drownings.”
Cahill highlighted the contrast with the previous season, where drownings outside of patrol areas had decreased. “While we saw a drop in drownings in non-patrolled areas last season, this year’s figures show a troubling rise, making it the highest we’ve seen since the 2022/23 season,” he explained. “This suggests that many people are still choosing to swim outside patrolled zones, putting themselves and others at unnecessary risk.”
He closed by thanking the volunteers for their tireless work. “To all our volunteers, we extend our gratitude for making Queensland’s beaches safer and for ensuring that so many Queenslanders made it home safely to their families and friends,” Cahill said.
As the season ends, authorities continue to urge beachgoers to follow safety guidelines and swim only in patrolled areas to reduce the risk of further incidents in the future.