‘Watching over us’: Family mission to keep beaches safe

Lifesavers go above and beyond to keep beachgoers safe over Christmas.

LIFESAVERS:The Rahui family of Terii, Locki and Emma volunteered to patrol Coolum Beach on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Photo: John McCutcheon

For many Sunshine Coasters the holiday season is spent at the beach, and with thanks to our dedicated lifesavers, it can be enjoyed without fear.

With the typical lifesaving schedule abandoned, Christmas Day patrols are filled by lifesavers who volunteer.

Many of whom sacrifice traditional festivities.

Patrolling member Emma Rahui said the fun, family day out, that most holiday-makers enjoy at Coolum Beach, would have been very dangerous if it wasn’t for the volunteer lifesavers.

“There would have been trouble yesterday if we hadn’t been here,” she said.

“It was a bit hectic — there was some flash rips popping up and there was a gutter at low tide and people get stuck and they can’t find their feet.”

Mrs Rahui, her husband Terii and their son Locki regularly volunteer on the Christmas Day patrol but have gone above and beyond this year.

Volunteering on both Christmas and Boxing Day the family said they love spending the day giving back.

“We don’t mind, we are quite an active family so to come down and be with our friends and give back is great,” Mrs Rahui said.

“We are from New Zealand and we don’t have family here and the surf club is kind of our family, so it makes sense that we come down here and hang out.”

Locki, 13, said the unstable conditions meant he had to use his recently learnt skills.

“It’s my first year of patrols and I did my first rescue with a tube yesterday [Christmas] and mum did three,” he said.

Holiday-maker Matt Tubb said the lifesavers gave him “piece of mind” that his family was safe.

“It’s awesome just to know that these guys are watching over us,” he said.

“It’s one of those thankless jobs and it’s a credit to them because they are out on Christmas Day and Boxing Day when everyone else is having a holiday and they are down here helping.”

Coolum Beach Boxing Day patrol captain Jarod Sweetman said with challenging conditions over the Christmas period the lifesavers were focused on prevention.

“The surf conditions have been a little bit challenging but other than that the suns been out and there have been no rescues which is good,” he said.

“We always focus on prevention and everyone’s done the right thing and kept in close which is good.”