Lifesavers perform nearly 400 rescues as WA patrol season comes to a close

As the red & yellow flags are packed down signifying the end of the 2021/22 lifesaving patrol season,  the efforts of surf lifesavers across WA beaches this past summer are recognised.

Surf Life Saving WA General Manager Lifesaving Chris Peck paid tribute to the work of the more than 5,500 volunteer surf lifesavers who have patrolled WA beaches since last October.

“Surf lifesavers from our 31 clubs have done a fantastic job over what has been an extremely busy summer period, performing more than 380 rescues, 17,800 preventative actions and 1,270 first aid treatments,” said Mr Peck.

“They are to be commended for their service, and the countless hours they dedicate to helping keep our beaches and beachgoers safe.”

These numbers don’t include the work done by SLSWA’s professional Lifeguard Services at multiple locations across WA.

SLSWA’s state government-funded Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service will also perform its final patrols this weekend.

With more than 900 patrol hours and 24 search and rescue missions this season, the south west and metropolitan-based helicopters continue to play an essential role in keeping West Australian beaches safe.

Mr Peck said their highly visible presence along our coast is both a comfort to beachgoers and a necessity in helping keep them safe, with more than 30,000 beachgoers cleared from the water due to nearby danger.

As their partnership with Surf Life Saving closes out 49 years, Westpac State General Manager, Consumer and Small Business, Larissa Shepherd said that the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service continues to perform a crucial role as our “vital eye in the sky”.

“The sheer number of patrol hours this season is testament to the role that the Service plays in keeping Western Australians safe.

“This season, we’ve also supported those who support our community – the Service crew, Surf Life Saving WA members and volunteers – helping to raise vital funds and awareness through initiatives such as ‘Boardies Day’, along with reaching almost 1,800 young people through our local Schools Landing program.”

While in the north west, Broome Surf Life Saving Club recently commenced their patrols at Cable Beach, SLSWA is reminding people to remain vigilant if they do plan on heading to unpatrolled beaches.

“We will continue to see some great weather across the coming weeks,” said Mr Peck.

“So we know people will still head to the beach to make the most of those remaining warm days.

“Without our lifesaving services on hand and with fewer people on the beach recreating, people must remember that if they get into trouble, help may not be readily at hand.

“There are still some Lifeguard services active across popular metropolitan beaches, so we encourage people to seek out those locations before heading into the water.”

Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service patrols will recommence in September 2022 and volunteer Lifesaver patrols from October.

Broome Surf Life Saving Club patrols on Cable Beach run from April through October each year.