AusLeisure

With celebrations having officially commenced for High School leavers (‘Schoolies’) on Saturday 18th November, surf lifesavers are reminding potential revellers that alcohol, drugs, and the ocean do not mix.

The culmination of 13 years of study often results in school leavers heading to holiday hotspots across the state for a period of festivities, with Byron Bay and surrounding areas in the far north expected to be a popular destination once more.

Surf Life Saving Far North Coast Branch has increased surveillance for the entire duration of the festivities, as always. This means jet skis, support operations vehicles and duty officers are on stand-by to respond to emergencies, even after hours, if required.

“It’s not just our lifesavers, all emergency services are ready,” Far North Coast Duty Officer, Jimmy Keough advised.

“With Christmas and New Year right around the corner, this is really the beginning of a very busy period for the region.

“This two-week period often results in numerous aquatic and coastal incidents involving a high number of partying teens who come to town.

“Basically, we just want them to be careful and smart.”

Byron Bay’s Main Beach is patrolled by Lifeguards from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. All local surf clubs will be patrolling over the weekends and some with extended hours.

The impact of Schoolies week also extends down the coast to towns including Port Macquarie, Forster, South West Rocks and Batemans Bay which have all experienced a surge in popularity with schoolies in recent years.

Keough added “the message never really changes year to year, we just want people to avoid remote beaches and look after their mates.

“Social media is often an encourager of the wrong behaviour, a lot of people want to get to the remote beaches that celebrities feature in their selfies, but those beaches can be dangerous and, at times, hard to access for our first responders.

“We encourage everyone to swim at the patrolled beaches between the red and yellow flags.”

SCHOOLIES SAFETY CHECKLIST

• Only swim at a patrolled beach, between the red and yellow flags
• Don’t swim under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Never swim at night
• Ask a surf lifesaver or lifeguard for advice
• Look after your mates, and know where your group is while in the water
• Call triple-zero (000) to report an in-water emergency

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