Lifeguards are returning to six Port Macquarie-Hastings beaches as seasonal patrols resume on Saturday, September 28.
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Beach patrols will recommence from 9am at Town Beach, Flynns Beach, Rainbow Beach, Lighthouse Beach, Lake Cathie and North Haven after well-earned break since April 28.
A Surf Life Saving Mid North Coast raising of the flags ceremony will be held at South West Rocks at 9.15am on Saturday to celebrate the branch's 90th season of patrol.
Port Macquarie-Hastings lifeguard supervisor James Turnham, a Lifeguard of the Year and NSW Surf Lifesaver recipient said holidaying school students from Queensland could boost early holiday numbers in town.
"We'll just take the season as it comes because we never know what could happen. We've trained up the team and everyone is ready to go this Saturday," said Mr Turnham.
"There are a lot of people hanging around the beaches already this week. With the Queensland holidays we probably have a lot of tourists in town.
"It's already picked up but the conditions and weather for Saturday is looking good and it's probably going to be a busy weekend.
"We also have the long weekend in the middle of the holidays which I think will be a big weekend as well."
The new lifeguards faced an 800 metre swim test at the Port Macquarie Pool to qualify for the season. They also completed a lifeguard mission involving a 600 metre swim, 800 metre run, 600 metre board and 800 metre run.
"Obviously the fitness requirements are pretty tough to be a lifeguard and guards are usually training all year round to get jobs," said Mr Turnham.
"We had roughly 30 people and about 90 per cent of people pass the test. Some of those lifeguards will be holiday and seasonal lifeguards on contracts.
"There are about half a dozen new lifeguards this season, mostly from the Port Macquarie and Laurieton area but there is one from Argentina as well."
During the 2018 to 2019 season, Port Macquarie-Hastings lifeguard services rescued 57 people, delivered first aid 198 times and made 7110 preventative actions.
They also attended 37 incidents requiring ambulances.
New Port Macquarie lifeguard, Federico Chiappetta, who was previously a lifeguard in Argentina said he will be training throughout the year and giving it his best effort.
"I have been a lifeguard before and in the last couple of years I have been more of a surf coach by teaching people how to surf and enjoy the ocean," he said.
"The testing here was good, there were a few things done differently than in Argentina and the physical exams were a little bit tougher here.
"My girlfriend and I are living here and applying for permanent residence. We have been living and travelling around the world in the past year, we love Australia and we have found our happy place here.
"We want to stay here, Port Macquarie is very chill and it's quieter than the big cities."
Mr Turnham reminded everyone to think before they enter the water this season and consider the conditions.
"There's hundreds of beaches out there and unfortunately we can't patrol every beach. We choose those main ones and we encourage people to swim at patrolled beaches," said Mr Turnham.
"If you are swimming anywhere else you need to know your ability, swim with a friend and remember there are no lifeguards or Surf Life Savers at those unpatrolled beaches to help if something goes wrong."
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