All beaches are now open for the official start of the 2010/11 Beach Season.

Flags Signal Start of Swim Season  

The red and yellow flags went up on local beaches this weekend to signal the start of the 2010/11 summer swim season.

On Saturday, Wollongong City Council Lifeguards began their daily patrols on 17 beaches from Stanwell Park to Windang, complemented by Volunteer Surf Lifesaver patrols on Sundays and Public Holidays.

Council’s outdoor pools are now open between 6am and 6pm daily, until 31 October when the opening hours will be extended to 7pm.

Council’s Beach Services Coordinator, Jason Foye said all Lifeguards had completed their reaccreditation and physical tests and will work with the region’s Volunteer Lifesavers over the next seven months in a combined effort to protect swimmers.

“To make sure it’s a safe summer on our beaches, Council encourages the community to only swim between the red-and-yellow flags and always follow the ‘no flags, no swim’ rule,” Jason Foye said.

“To remain safe you should only swim at patrolled beaches and follow all instructions given by our lifeguards and volunteer lifesavers. Never swim alone and don’t go out too deep if you are not a confident swimmer. The ocean has many undercurrents and rips that can catch swimmers unaware.”

“With so many beautiful patrolled beaches on our coast, no body should put themselves at risk by swimming in unpatrolled areas,” he added.

The swim season will continue until the Anzac Day Long Weekend 2011.