With warm weather forecast over the coming Easter long weekend, Surf Life Saving WA is urging West Australians to be sensible and heed state government advice if heading to the beach over the coming days.
“We are fortunate that our beaches are still open, but that will only remain the case so long as West Australians continue to follow the state government’s advice around social gatherings and social distancing,” said Surf Life Saving WA’s General Manager of Lifesaving Chris Peck.
“We understand that people want to get out and participate in some exercise, be that walking or surfing or getting in a swim at their local beach, and that’s ok.”
“But now is not the time to be packing your family into the car and heading to the beach for the day.”
“What we are asking is that, once you finish your exercise, that you pack up and head home. Do the right thing and we can all continue to enjoy our beaches during this difficult time,” said Mr. Peck.
Surf Life Saving WA is also reminding beachgoers that, with the majority of volunteer beach patrols now finished for the season, there may not be the same level of assistance on hand should they get into trouble.
“At this time of year, most of our volunteer beach patrols have finished for the season” said Mr. Peck.
“While we continue to deliver paid Lifeguard services at a range of locations, as well as our Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter service and our Wesfarmers Jet Ski teams, beach goers need to be aware that should they get into trouble, assistance may not be as close at hand as they may be accustomed to” Mr. Peck said.
“Beachgoers should continue to observe the usual beach safety messages including being aware of their own limitations.”
Surf Life Saving WA’s south west based Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter service will, as of tomorrow, join the metro service in daily patrols through until the end of April.
Surf Life Saving WA’s website hosts a number of live beach cameras at some of WA’s most popular beaches, an important resource by which beachgoers can check out both real time conditions and ability to observe social distancing behaviours before heading to the beach.
“We know that the majority of people are doing the right thing, and we would hate for our beaches to be closed as a result of the actions of a few” said Mr. Peck.
Visit mybeach.com.au/mybeach to view live beach cameras
To keep up to date on current hazards, warnings and shark sightings, follow SLSWA on twitter at @slswa
