Lifesavers rallying support after deadliest season on record leaves five dead

The Gold Coast has experienced its deadliest season on record with multiple drowning deaths this year - now lifesavers are pleading with residents for one thing.

INEXPERIENCED, naive tourists are largely blamed for causing hundreds of rescues on Gold Coast beaches each year.

In truth, the victims in about half of the recoveries are floundering Glitter Strip residents.

Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) services co-ordinator Nathan Fife said it was too common for the region’s 3500 or so volunteers to scoop residents from rips or other dangerous scenarios.

On the weekends alone, lifesavers across the region performed up to 30 rescues.

Now, SLSQ is pleading with the public to help prop up the small army watching over our beaches for eight months of the year.

Lifesavers are rallying for support.

During SOS Week (October 14-20), the community can Support our Savers by donating online, or dropping coins in the collection tins of volunteers.

“You’ll see a lot of lifesavers in the red and yellow doorknocking, out at shopping centres, at Bunnings, at train stations,” Mr Fife said.

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“They’ll be collecting money for our surf clubs, so we can buy gear and equipment to support the locals and the tourists that come to the Gold Coast – make sure people are safe.

“We’re not struggling, but the money’s always needed, definitely for gear and equipment.”

Mr Fife urged swimmers to stick to patrolled beaches and to always swim between the flags.

Donations flowing through to SLSQ will keep volunteers like Courtney Taylor at the ready.

Ashley Pade, Jared Clark and Courtney Taylor are collecting donations at Burleigh Heads. Picture Glenn Hampson

Ms Taylor, who works as a nurse, said most rescues could be attributed to rips.

The Currumbin lifesaver and training officer said the best thing about her “adrenaline pumping” role was “giving back to the community”.

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“The ability to train people to save lives is something very special to me,” she said.

Volunteer lifesavers on the Coast performed 622 rescues last season, reports SLSQ.

Five people drowned on Coast beaches in the 2018/19 financial year, and 21 statewide – the highest annual tally on record since data tracking began.