Port Macquarie school kids are not the only ones counting down the days until the break with local Lifeguards itching to get back on patrol for the new season.
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There is a touch of summer tranquillity in the air and a sense of optimism within the team of Lifeguards at Port Macquarie who are currently putting the final touches on their preparations for what they anticipate to be another busy summer.
From September 23 all six major swimming locations around the Port Macquarie – Hastings will be patrolled by Lifeguards from the Australian Lifeguard Service (ALS).
ALS Port Macquarie Supervisor James Turnham said it is an exciting time of the year.
“All of the hard work has been done with the pre-season testing having been completed, uniforms have been checked and cleaned,” he said.
“Everyone in good shape and ready to do what they do best which is keep a watchful eye on the beach.”
The 2017/18 patrol season is the second year that the Port Macquarie Lifeguards have come under the banner of the ALS and the Lifeguards are looking forward to another season following on from the highly successful inaugural year.
Last summer over 350,000 people visited a patrolled beach across the area and with a hot spring already making its presence felt those numbers could potentially rise this season.
Last season Lifeguards were kept busy with the team carrying out 102 rescues, 5070 preventative actions, and more than 680 first aid treatments last summer.
Tragically there has been one drowning at Port Macquarie with the death of a ski paddler at Town Beach late last month.
The incident highlights the importance of the Lifeguard service and is a reminder to the team that their job comes with serious responsibility.
The safety of visitors and locals alike at the area’s picturesque beaches has long been a priority for Port Macquarie-Hastings Council who are looking ahead to a successful season.
Deputy Mayor Lisa Intemann said our local lifeguards do a wonderful job in keeping our regions beaches safe.
“Under the guidance of the ALS, locals and visitors alike can be assured that we will have the most professional, highly trained lifeguards on our beaches again this year. Stay safe everyone,” she said.
Lifeguards from the ALS will be patrolling the following Port Macquarie-Hastings Council beaches in 2017/18:
- • Town Beach (from 23/09/17)
- • Flynns Beach (from 25/09/17)
- • Lighthouse Beach (from 25/09/17)
- • Lake Cathie (from 23/09/17)
- • Rainbow Beach (from 25/09/17)
- • North Haven (from 25/09/17)
For more information on lifeguard patrols across Port Macquarie-Hastings beaches visit pmhc.nsw.gov.au/beaches, while information about the NSW Operations of the Australian Lifeguard Service can be found at https://lifeguards.com.au/NSW/
