Paul Weston: Why we need to swim and not use our mobile phones between the flags

Surf Lifesaving Queensland needs some CPR, writes Paul Weston. Two key senior figures have left while complaints are being made about funds wasted on a wifi rollout that can’t even be used.

Mobile phone safety messages or old school signage? Which is the best way to get a message out on our beaches. Picture by Scott Fletcher.

SURF Lifesaving Queensland needs some CPR. Two key senior figures have left. Internal complaints are being made about funds wasted on useless beach equipment on the Gold Coast.

Meanwhile, clubbies continue to rattle the can outside shopping centres.

They need support to keep our children safe on the beach.

King tides are upon us and the cyclone season is here. There are messages everywhere on the TV about surf safety.

Lifesavers on patrol. Picture: Jerad Williams

Sitting between the flags at some beaches is a new toy, a 20kg box aimed at providing wi-fi coverage. Patrol captains are supposed to send out messages to beachgoers on their mobile phones.

OTHER NEWS:

‘If it wasn’t for him my brother would still be here’

Construction giant to build luxury townhouses in Southport

Bowls club stoush ends in settlement

Back in November, SLSQ put out a media release about the “Life-fi’’ project, driven by the marketing section. The State Government hopped on board with $310,000 — no small amount of funding to give lifesaving.

Later that month SLSQ’s Life Saving Committee, which looks after the budget for equipment and resources to cover beach black spots, was asked for $65,000 from the operational budget.

The request was rejected.

Our volunteers on the beaches. Picture: Jerad Williams.

Questions were asked. How would information be loaded into the device? Who on patrol would have time to do it? Why was there no consultation with clubbies before the media statement was released?

A lifesaving source told us: “It should be noted that no one including the Life Saving Committee which is responsible for the operations of beaches or the board of directors was aware of this project prior to the media release.

“In December SLSQ launched a campaign in relation to ensuring you are watching your child on the beach and released a video of a woman reading whilst their child drowned — it seems like a mixed message.

“On the one hand we want free wi-fi and on the other people are told not to be distracted.

Packed beaches on Boxing Day at Rainbow Bay. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

“Then the council announces it is rolling out free wi-fi on select beaches.”

After several drownings during the start of the summer, former Olympic swimming coach and swim safety campaigner Laurie Lawrence called on families to appoint “designated lifesavers” and for parents to turn off their mobile phones.

At popular Coast beaches like Main Beach, the flagged area gets slimmer.

One day recently the council lifeguards’ blackboard warned about flash rips.

On their speaker, the two lifeguards called on parents to be vigilant. In a matter of seconds kids on boogie boards moved 50m north in a dangerous sweep.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE GOLD COAST BULLETIN WITH OUR SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFER

Packed beaches at Coolangatta. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

Lifesavers last weekend trialled a wi-fi box. Problems started after the temperature rose above 35 degrees.

Longtime SLSQ chief executive officer John Brennan stepped down this week. In October last year, chief operating officer George Hill left after decades of organising safety campaigns.

“At some clubs half of their financial budget is spent on surf sports — that’s what they talk about at committee, not saving lives. The public want to be assured the funding they give goes to surf safety and not for sports or misguided projects that don’t save lives on the beach,” the lifesaving source said.

Talk to clubbies. They want beachgoers to check their blackboard safety signs. They welcome the banter when swimmers ask to point out dangerous rips.

They want young people swimming, getting fit, not head down on social media on their phones.

SLSQ is in troubled waters. The wi-fi trial exposes a breakdown in communication.

Some managers at the Brisbane headquarters need to listen to those who are close to the surf.