Hastings beaches have been jam packed during the start of the Christmas holiday period with more than 75,000 people taking advantage of our beautiful shoreline.
Senior Lifeguard Coordinator Grant Hudson said Town Beach was most popular with beachgoers, with more than 43,000 hitting the patrolled beach since December 19, but large numbers at Lake Cathie has seen the popular family destination the surprise summer hit.
“On the beach itself at Cathie we have been averaging 300-400 each day, but with the Lake having been open the numbers inside the Lake stretched to around 1000 people a day,” he said.
Council lifeguards and volunteer surf life savers have been working tirelessly over the summer to ensure the safety of swimmers, and despite big seas over Christmas there have been less than 20 rescues on patrolled beaches.
“There have been eight rescues at Town Beach, four rescues at Flynns Beach, three at Bonny Hills, one at North Haven and no rescues at Lighthouse Beach,” he said.
Mr Hudson said the two major rescues at Flynns Beach were a result of swimmers not paying attention to their surrounds and being swept to dangerous areas.
“The majority of people have been really great this summer with most taking the time to read the signs on the beach and listening to the announcements for preventative actions,” Mr Hudson said.
While Town Beach has experienced fairly good conditions, there have been some testing situations for lifeguards when rescuing or assisting swimmers in the strong currents near the breakwall.
“Unfortunately some swimmers, inexperienced surfers and bodyboarders are not paying enough attention to the warning signs near the breakwall and river mouth,” he said.
Mr Hudson advises swimmers to remember the simple rule, “No Flags, No Swim! Always check with the lifeguards and surf life savers about the current conditions, read the signs and listen to instructions.”
