Beach education sessions are being conducted as practical workshops on the beach and also at schools in the Port Macquarie-Hastings region. 

The sessions are taking place to ensure that the region’s youth are beach-aware leading into the Christmas holidays.

Port Macquarie/Hastings Council group manager Liam Bulley said the community is reaping the rewards from the council’s partnership with the Australian Lifeguard Service (ALS).

Mr Bulley said the education program ensures the continued protection of the public and also provides local professional lifeguards with the opportunity to enhance their skills, experience and career options.

“With a focus on safety, it’s great to see the ongoing benefit that the education program is providing the younger members of our community,” he said. 

During the program students will learn about a range of topics including sun safety, the role of lifeguards on the beach, how to recognise beach signs and what to do if they get caught in a rip or current.

Children aged from five-years-old to 12-years-old will participate in the program which is tailored for each age group but has an overall emphasis on safety.

Lifeguard James Turnham said it’s really important that children gain to beach education.

Mr Turnham said the public are also noticing the change of colour of their uniform. 

“The internationally recognised uniform colours are certainly making the education message easier for children to understand as the colours the lifeguards now wear are the same as lifesavers on the weekend,” he said. 

"We started our patrols on our six beaches during the September school holidays and will be running through until the end of April.”