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Inexperienced swimmers urged to stay out of the ocean

Inexperienced swimmers urged to stay out of the ocean
April 17, 2020

Sunshine Coast Council and Surf Life Saving Queensland have warned inexperienced swimmers to stay out of the ocean. 

With its aquatic facilities closed, the Council, in conjunction with Surf Life Saving Queensland recently made the decision to remove flags from Sunshine Coast beaches to discourage people from visiting and congregating during the Coronavirus pandemic.

However, with swimmers, some of whom are inexperienced, now taking the ocean, Sunshine Coast Council Mayor and Local Disaster Management Group Chair Mark Jamieson fears for the safety of those less familiar with open water swimming.

Mayor Jamieson explained "with the flags down, if you have to even think about asking where it is safe to swim, then you should not be going into the water – it is as simple as that.

“We have continued to see situations where inexperienced swimmers got into trouble and put their lives – and the lives of others – at risk. 

“If it weren’t for people walking along the beach or surfing at the time, those swimmers could now be a statistic.

“If you’re not an experienced swimmer or surfer please stay out of the ocean and please stay home.

“We understand times are tough right now and people are keen to get out of the house for exercise, but now is not the time to try new adventures and put extra pressure on our emergency authorities.”

Surf Life Saving Queensland Sunshine Coast Regional Manager Aaron Purchase added "people may think this will never happen to them, but now is not the time to be heading out into the ocean if you’re an inexperienced swimmer.

“We have a dedicated team of lifeguards and volunteer lifesavers who are monitoring certain beaches in a surveillance mode, but they cannot be everywhere.

“What we’re finding is people are going to quieter beach areas and the consequences of that could be deadly.

“Please only go to the beaches for exercise and under no circumstances should anyone sunbake, socialise or sit down at any Sunshine Coast beach.”

Queensland Police Service are monitoring Sunshine Coast beaches and anyone who flouts tough social distancing measures runs the risk of incurring a $1334 fine.

Mayor Jamieson concluded "for your personal safety and your hip pocket, it’s just not worth the risk."

Image: A deserted Mooloolaba Beach.

Related Articles

8th April 2020 - Sunshine Coast Council urges holiday travellers to stay at home

7th April 2020 - Sunshine Coast Council gives ‘final warning’ on need to avoid crowding in parks and on beaches

29th March 2020 - New Australian Government regulations demand public gatherings of no more than two people

26th March 2020 - Sunshine Coast Council closes holiday parks, play areas and ocean pools

24th March 2020 - Sunshine Coast Council announces closure of all aquatic centres

19th March 2020 - Drownings fall across Australian summer of extremes

2nd March 2020 - Pride in Sport program welcomes Surf Life Saving Australia

27th February 2020 - Royal Life Saving helps new migrants with learn to swim and water safety program

4th December 2019 - Surf Life Saving Queensland receives funding boost for surf safety

19th July 2019 - Sunshine Coast Council funding boost will see increased beach patrols

7th January 2019 - Thousands stung as record numbers of bluebottles swarm on southern Queensland beaches

18th November 2018 - Wi-Fi alerts to keep Queensland beachgoers safe this summer

3rd March 2017 - Record summer visits but no drownings on Queensland beaches


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