By NIKKI TODD
LIFEGUARDS are warning of a busy summer season ahead as hot and sunny conditions see residents and tourists flock to the Tweed’s pristine estuaries and beaches.
There have already been several close calls this season with at least one swimmer lucky to be alive after he was plucked unconscious from the water off the beach at Kingscliff last Friday.
And on Monday, two boys were rescued at Pottsville’s Mooball Creek as they struggled against the outgoing tide.
In the first incident, a 13-year-old Afghan boy was saved after experienced lifeguard Hannah Julius spotted him lying face down in the water about 150m south of the flags at Kingscliff Beach.
The teenager, who was at the beach with his family, was dragged to the shore and given medical assistance before paramedics arrived on the scene.
Ms Julius, 22, who was alone at the time after her patrol partner was called to assist at another rescue, dismissed her efforts as nothing more than “what any of the lifeguards would have done’’.
But fellow lifeguards praised her efforts, saying she had kept a cool head in a difficult situation.
“It was great that Hannah was on the beach at that time,’’ Northern NSW Lifeguard co-ordinator Scott McCartney said.
“Under the circumstances she kept a cool head in a tricky situation and ended up saving a boy’s life, she’s done an exceptional job.’’
The rescue occurred as Ms Julius’ patrol partner Jarrad Cain was called to assist at another incident at nearby Dreamtime Beach where a young girl was sucked out by a rip. She managed to scramble onto rocks but was scratched and cut in the process and required hospital treatment.
And in the latest incident at Pottsville, lifeguards were called to assist after two young boys, aged around eight-years-old, struggled to swim against the outgoing tide after their kayak capsized.
“The tide changes dramatically in that creek – on the maximum high tide it’s really nice but as soon as it starts running back its really dangerous,’’ Mr McCartney said.
“Olympic swimmers can’t even swim against such tides, so normal people like us don’t stand a chance.’’
Mr McCartney warned beachgoers to be extra vigilant and swim between the flags, with hot, dry conditions forecast for coming weeks, including the upcoming Labour Day long weekend.
“It has been so hot and the beach has been so inviting for everyone that we’ve had huge numbers so far,’’ Mr McCartney said.
“It has basically thrown everyone into the deep-end with the (surf lifesaving) season starting just over a week ago.
“Everyone always says when the swell is up it is more dangerous but the numbers usually decrease dramatically and we have fewer rescues.
“It is more like these days when there is a little bit of surf but a lot of wind around that is moving the sand banks that throws everyone off – that is usually when we do get most of our incidents.’’
Mr Cain, who also assisted in the Pottsville incident, said it was vitally important for all swimmers to keep between the flags where possible.
“If we can’t see them, we can’t save them,’’ he said.
