He said attendance to beaches patrolled by lifeguards during the holidays was exceeded 225,000 people. That numbers grows when you consider the amount who would have attended non-patrolled beaches.

“Even though we had a many days of beach closures due to large swell, we experienced less rainy days than last year which would have contributed to the lower beach visitations,” he said.

“Lifeguards saved the lives of 26 people over the holiday period, with some of those coming from lifeguards responding to unpatrolled beaches through triple 0 calls.”

Lifeguards treated 182 people for first aid and a handful of major treatments, but the majority were minor, Turnham said.

“With the four deaths that have occurred since September on Port Macquarie-Hastings beaches, it is reminded to always swim or surf with a friend, always check the conditions, learn how to spot a rip and to swim and surf according to your ability.”

Generally the majority of people obeyed lifeguard warnings and signage during beach closures, he said, but there were still a handful of people willing to take risks.

“They were mostly young and were climbing rocks and swimming in rock pools during large hazardous swells,” he said.

Professional lifeguards received emergency call-outs to assist in search and rescue operations for the unfortunate separate drownings of two young boys, and also to the retrieval of a male at Town Beach.

Mr Turnham said his team of 26 lifeguards did an extremely good job over the holiday period.

“It has been great to hear so many good comments from locals and tourists about their professional work ethic and how grateful they are,” he said.