Byron Bay’s Main Beach patrolled daily from November 23
November 21, 2009
Lifeguards will commence summer patrols this Monday morning (23rd November) at Byron Bay’s Main Beach.
The patrols, provided by Byron Shire Council and the Australian Lifeguard Service, will be protecting the beach each weekday from 9am to 6pm.
These patrols will continue until the end of April 2010.
Two lifeguards will patrol the main beach, with further lifeguards commencing duty at First Sun (The Wreck) Beach, The Pass, Wategos, Tallow (Cosy Corner), Suffolk Park and Broken Head beaches from Saturday, 19th December.
For the first time, lifeguards will be on duty daily to cover the Schoolies festivities. A new All Terrain Vehicle that has been funded by the Federal Department of Health and Aging through its blackspotfunding program will provide better protection for local swimmers.
The vehicle, along with the Byron Shire lifeguard jet ski, will allow lifeguards to respond quickly to any incident on Byron beaches.
To launch the Lifeguard season and the vehicle, Byron Shire Mayor Councillor Jan Barham will raise the red and yellow flags at 9am on Monday.
The lifeguards are highly trained with surf rescue, first aid, resuscitation and jet ski qualifications as well as completing training in law enforcement and community relations.
“Byron’s Main Beach is one of Australia’s great beaches and is certainly very popular with locals and tourists alike,” said NSW Chief Lifeguard, Stephen Leahy.
“The provision of lifeguards and the volunteer patrols from the surf lifesavers at the Byron Bay Surf Life Saving Club will ensure that there is a safety and rescue service every day at Main Beach until after the autumn school holidays next year.”
Cr Barham said: “The Byron Shire Council and the Australian Lifeguard Service are committed to ensuring young people coming to Byron for the Schoolies festivities enjoy themselves safely and the Council has committed additional funds to ensure a daily lifeguard service during this period.
“Council recognises that our beaches are a popular holiday destination and we have made sure our visitors remain safe during Schoolies and the summer holidays. We are the only Council in Australia that provides a lifeguard service overnight on New Year’s Eve.”
Last season, lifeguards at Byron’s Main Beach rescued 22 swimmers but, through proactive action, 4377 beach users were advised about swimming or surfing in dangerous locations; 546 people received first aid treatments.
Related posts:
- North Coast lifeguard co-ordinator Steve Leahy’s daily beach report
- Main Beach Byron Bay wins Clean Beach award
- Steve Leahy’s daily beach report
- Lifeguards’ campaign ends after huge beach attendances
- Byron Shire Council warns of beach dangers; beach access closed
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