THE iconic yellow and red flags have gone up along the Nambucca coastline on Saturday, signalling Surf Life Saving Clubs are back patrolling for the summer season.

Surf Life Saving North Coast President Les Pepper said that with support from Newcastle Permanent lifesavers from the branch’s eight clubs, including Nambucca Heads Surf Life Saving Club, are ready to go.

Advertise with News of The Area today.
It’s worth it for your business.
Message us.
Phone us – (02) 4981 8882.
Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au

“Thanks to Newcastle Permanent, we have the equipment, and our people are trained, to help keep people safe in and out of the water,” Les said.

“Newcastle Permanent also supports the recruitment, training and retention of junior surf lifesavers, to ensure we’ve got a pipeline of volunteers coming through.”

New Nambucca Heads Club president Aaron Honeysett said the club’s 30 volunteer life savers will patrol at Swimming Creek while Main Beach works continue.

He expects to have 80 local kids doing Nippers there this season too.

“We are hoping that by the end of the Christmas holidays the Council works will be complete, and we will be back in our renovated surf club,” Aaron said.

Newcastle Permanent Branch and Lending Manager Joshua Freeman was with Les Pepper and Nambucca Heads Club representatives at a special North Coast Surf Life Saving Branch raising of the flags ceremony at Woolgoolga Beach.

At the presentation, Joshua said because Newcastle Permanent is customer-owned, it looks to support the communities where its members live, work and play.

“Spending time at the beach is part of summer for so many people in our region, which is why we’ve been supporting local surf clubs for seventeen years,” he said.

“Local volunteer lifesavers save countless lives each year – they deserve our thanks and support.

“Last year North Coast branch lifesavers completed almost 20,000 patrol hours, saved 29 lives, gave 42 first-aid treatments and conducted almost 1,400 other preventative actions.”

Les Pepper shared tips to stay safe at the beach this summer.

– Always read and obey safety signs and lifesaver instructions
– Swim between the red and yellow flags
– Never enter the water if you have been drinking alcohol or are under the influence of drugs
– Wear sunscreen, seek shade and stay hydrated.

Boat skippers and rockfishers should always check the local forecast, seek advice from NSW Maritime and wear a lifejacket.

People interested in joining the surf life saving movement can find their local club at www.slsnorthcoast.com.au.

By Andrea FERRARI