Life saving club president appeal to beachgoers to leave huge inflatable water toys at home
Inflatable water toys are “the bane of any lifesaving club’s existence”, a club president has said, and he’s appealed to beachgoers to leave them at home.
South East
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Seven lucky swimmers owe their lives to vigilant off-duty lifesavers who saved them all in a single weekend.
And in praising them Frankston Life Saving Club president Tim Cutrona has also taken aim at inflatable devices, the reason why many swimmers got into trouble.
Frankston Life Saving Club patrollers Marco Kelsall, Owen Harris and Ash Presser were lounging on the beach after clocking off work when they were unexpectedly called into action on separate occasions.
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The rescues were made over the Australia Day holiday weekend. Two swimmers were saved on January 24, one on January 25 and four were rescued from inflatable devices on January 27.
Life Saving Club president Tim Cutrona said on-duty volunteer patrollers also rescued nine people in a four-hour period on Sunday February 3.
Eight of those rescued were on inflatables hit by strong offshore winds.
“Inflatable toys are the bane of any lifesaving club’s existence and should not be brought to the beach,” Mr Cutrona said.
“Most people are not familiar with the risks these toys present, when the wind changes, which can be quickly, you can be blown 200-300m off shore.
With more hot weather on the way Mr Cutrona warned beachgoers to take extra care to be safe around the water.
“With another week of hot days and winds coming let’s hope our volunteers can maintain the standard,” he said.
“If the weather conditions are not ideal or look like they may change and you’re not between the flags, swim close to shore.
“Consider your own abilities and limitations, if the weather changes do you have the skill and fitness to get back to shore.”
“If you are kayaking, paddle-boarding or boating check the weather conditions and tell someone where you will be and when you’ll be back.”
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