How to keep your cool in the water

The long, hot days of summer are here and while Queenslanders love a swim, it’s important to remember that safety must come first for the whole family.

WHEN it comes to keeping cool in the sultry summer heat, Queenslanders are spoiled for choice.

We have water-based options at our fingertips that are the envy of the world, with a glorious coastline of idyllic golden beaches, islands and reef, and a healthy network of inland rivers and waterways, not to mention the plethora of backyard swimming pools and public aquatic centres.

Lifeguard Michael Daly at Coolum Beachon the Sunshine Coast.

And as the Christmas leisure culture ramps up in the sunshine state with school holidays in full swing, now is the time to remind beach and pool goers to put safety first when making a splash.

On our beaches last summer, Surf Life Saving Queensland’s “red and yellow army” of surf lifesavers and lifeguards watched over more than 7.5 million beachgoers, performing almost 40,000 preventive actions to protect swimmers, as well as 11,652 first aid treatments and 1629 rescues.

Lifesaver Ashley Pade at Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast.

Similar crowds are expected again this year and SLSQ coastal safety officer Chantel Fife wants anyone heading to the beach for a swim to be extra vigilant about their personal safety.

“Beaches across the state are obviously going to get busier and busier over the coming weeks, and it’s really important that anyone looking to cool down in the surf is putting safety first and only swimming between the red and yellow flags,” Chantel says.

“We want people to enjoy the beach these holidays but, more importantly, we want them to get home safely at the end of the day.”

To cope with the expected influx of beachgoers, SLSQ has extended patrol hours at most beaches across the state, with numerous roving patrols added to monitor identified beachgoers and swimmers at key locations.

“Surf lifesavers and lifeguards will be out in force this summer to watch over and protect swimmers in the flagged areas, and we really encourage all parents and family members to adopt the same approach and look out for each other, particularly when it comes to young children,” Chantel says.

For more beach and swim safety information, see: lifesaving.com.au

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BEACH SAFETY TIPS

• Swim between the red and yellow flags;

• Look for, and follow, the advice of safety signs;

• Ask a lifesaver or lifeguard for advice before entering the water;

• Always swim with a friend where possible;

• Supervise any young children in and around the water;

• Don’t swim at unpatrolled beaches;

• Don’t swim at night or after consuming alcohol; and

• Stay hydrated and slip, slop and slap to protect yourself from the heat.

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Lily Lonsdale, 13, and Jaz Purdew, 13, at Centenary Pool in Brisbane’s south-west. Picture: Peter Wallis

COUNCIL-RUN swimming pools and aquatic centres in the southeast are also enjoying a surge in the number of people opting to beat the heat at the public facilities.

Brisbane Lifestyle chairman Matthew Bourke says Brisbane City Council pools are becoming increasingly popular, with visitor numbers doubling in the past decade.

“Last year alone, 2.2 million people visited council pools,” Matthew says.

Five new suburban pools have been built in Brisbane in the past decade, with new facilities at Bracken Ridge and Parkinson opening this year.

He says extended operating hours at all council-run aquatic centres during summer enable people to make the most of the facilities throughout the warmer months.

“Council is committed to creating new lifestyle and leisure opportunities for residents, and our 22 pools are a fantastic option for families looking to beat the heat this summer,” he says.

Some of the aquatic centres also run learn to swim and special programs during the school holidays, such as the Dive Camp program at Centenary Pool in Spring Hill this week run by diving coach Jeff Arbon.

Check out individual centres for details. All council swimming centres will be closed on
Christmas Day.

Visit brisbane.qld.gov.au, logan.qld.gov.au, goldcoast.qld.gov.au

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PUBLIC POOL SAFETY TIPS

• For 0-5 year olds and non-swimmers, a parent or guardian must be in the water at all times within arms’ reach of the child/non-swimmer.

• For 6-10 year olds, constant active supervision is required by a parent or guardian. Be prepared to get wet and enter the water with this age group.

• For 11-14 year olds, parents or guardians must physically check on children on a regular basis.

Brisbane City Council endorses the Keep Watch public education program of the Royal Life Saving Society, Australia

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