Local lifeguards have hammered home a safety message to beachgoers these holidays: “No Flags, No Swim’.
With the Easter of tourists and relatives and school holidays on the go, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council head lifeguard Grant Hudson has pleaded to residents and holiday makers to make use of the numerous patrolled beaches across the region and swim safely.
“We want swimmers to remember the simple rules; “No Flags, No Swim”, always check with the lifeguards and surf life savers about the current conditions, read the signs and listen to instructions,” said Mr Hudson.
Five beaches throughout the Hastings region will be patrolled these holidays including Town Beach, Flynns Beach, Lighthouse Beach, Bonny Hills and North Haven.
“Professional Lifeguards are on patrol everyday, with Surf Life Saving Clubs also helping to patrol our beaches on weekends and public holidays,” said Mr Hudson.
“Patrol times are slightly different during the Easter break compared with summer so we urge people to familiarise themselves with beach times and read the signs before entering the water.”
Mr Hudson said the lifeguards and surf lifesavers were educated in beach safety and implored people to check beach conditions with the experts before leaving the sand for the surf.
“Surf conditions can change very quickly so the more information you have before you go into the water the better aware you will be.”
