By TANIA PHILLIPS
ACROSS the border Gold Coast Lifeguards are also gearing up for their busiest two months of the year with summer and school holidays bringing thousands out to play.
Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate said it was also a peak time for the Gold Coast welcoming overseas visitors, many of whom were not familiar with Australian swimming conditions.
“Our experienced, professional lifeguards patrol 26 beaches for 12 months per year, and during holiday season this increases to 38 beaches,” Cr Tate said.
“The combined efforts of the Lifeguard Service and our wonderful volunteer surf life-savers provides a beach safety coverage unmatched in Australia.
“City of Gold Coast has the largest professional lifeguard service in Australia, with 38 permanent lifeguards, 120 casual lifeguard staff and our Surf Lifesaving Queensland volunteers who patrol weekends and public holidays throughout the season.”
Cr Tate said the Gold Coast boasted some of the most experienced lifeguards in the world including veteran Gold Coast lifeguards Warren Young and Peter Miller, who were this week acknowledged for 40 years service.
“My sincere thanks go to Warren and Peter for the outstanding service they have delivered to the Gold Coast since 1973,” Cr Tate said.
“They have helped countless people over the years. Their dedication and ongoing enthusiasm for their profession is a credit to our community and to the safety of our city’s beautiful beaches,” Cr Tate said.
Over the past three years, lifeguards have performed 4803 rescues and 135,971 preventative actions.
