Merimbula's Bar Beach tops rescue list

The outgoing tide is well known by Sapphire Coast locals but the strong current caught a number of visitors off guard over the summer school holidays.  

The Australian Lifeguard Service (ALS) estimates 13 people were prevented from drowning on Sapphire Coast beaches during the summer, with Bar Beach having the most rescues.

ALS was contracted by Council to provide lifeguard services across eight beaches from Bermagui to Eden, during December and January.

An estimated 145,942 people were recorded visiting patrolled beaches during this time. Merimbula’s Main Beach was the busiest beach in the Shire with over 35,000 visitors, followed by Pambula with over 21,000 and Tathra Beach with just under 21,000.

Lifeguards performed 137 significant rescues and 10,108 preventative actions, which includes advice to people swimming outside the red and yellow flags.

Merimbula’s Bar Beach presented a number of challenging days to lifeguards. The beach was the scene of 82 of the Shire’s 137 total rescues.

Strong currents from an outgoing tide on December 26, January 1 and January 12 saw 27 people rescued on those three days alone.

“We allowed for an extra lifeguard at Bar Beach this summer given its reputation, so it’s satisfying to know people were kept safe,” John Grady, Council’s leisure and recreation manager, said.

The majority of people rescued were visitors from Canberra and Victoria.

“We have a duty of care to everyone that visits our beautiful beaches during the peak season, and the support of ratepayers is key to meeting that need,” Mr Grady said.

These stats don’t take into account the contribution made by volunteer lifesavers.

“The volunteers at local surf clubs provide a valued service and we are grateful to the women, men and teenagers that give their time to patrol our beaches outside the days covered by Council.”