OPINION: Bolder approach to surf safety needed

I NOTICED a small sign buried away in the sand dunes at the beach on Saturday.

I NOTICED a small sign buried away in the sand dunes at the beach on Saturday.

It was a confusing display on how to read a rip at the beach and what to do if you got stuck in a strong current.

Its location was so inconspicuous it may as well not even been there as it wouldn't be noticed by beach goers, nor understood by citizens of another country.

MORE: Eight people drowned at our beaches this summer

We've just had one of the worst periods on record as far as drownings in our region go.

And despite all the talk about improving signage and warnings at our beaches, rivers and pools, we really aren't being bold enough in our execution.

When surf conditions are rough and we don't want people to enter the water, why do we still pussy foot around with a set of crossed lifesaving flags and a hand-written sign on a chalkboard?

We live in a tech-driven age. How about flashing neon sign, speakers with a message in several languages, perhaps even a mobile alert system like they do when a bushfire is approaching.

These signs and signals need to be big, blinking, unrelenting and come in several languages because we can't all assume that everyone at the beach speaks English.

Perhaps lifesavers should be able to issue on the spot fines or have people arrested if they ignore repeated warnings and go in the water when a beach is closed.

Judging by the statistics, people are not heeding the warnings that are out there now.

How about we come up with a best practice model and roll it out nationwide.