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City of Wollongong

Safety message from our Lifeguards

Tuesday 12 January 2021

Warm weather is on the menu this week, and we know that the beach and the pool will be the place to be for Wollongong residents and visitors.

As you head to the water to cool off, our Lifeguards are reminding all beachgoers to stay safe when in the water.

“Over the weekend, the summer weather certainly kept Council’s professional lifeguards and volunteer lifesavers busy with people taking the opportunity to get in the water for a swim,” said Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery.

“The beaches were popular, and Lifeguards did need to regularly remind people to swim between the flags. This is worrying as the red and yellow flags indicate the patrolled area that is supervised by Lifeguards and where to enter the water. Swimmers who go in outside the flags are putting themselves at risk. Drownings are preventable and swimming between the red and yellow flags saves lives.”

Do you know what the different Lifeguard flags mean? The different flags are used to help identify different beach hazards you will need to look out for. They include:

  • No flags – no swim.
  • Red and yellow flags – show the supervised area of the beach that Lifeguards and Lifesavers are monitoring.
  • Beach closed flag (flag with a no swimming symbol) – shows that the beach is closed due to dangerous conditions.
  • Black and white chequered flags – indicates the area where board riding and surfing is not permitted.

“Wollongong is home to 17 patrolled beaches from Stanwell Park in the north and Windang in the south and there are plenty of different beaches to choose from,” said Cr Bradbery.

“We’re spoilt for choice and this also makes it easier when social distancing from others even while at the beach. We know Wollongong has great beaches and that they attract people from across the city and further afield. We need to make sure we all continue to practice good social distancing and keep a flag’s length between us when out and about.”

For the full list of beach locations and patrol hours visit our website. More beach safety tips this summer including our beach safety videos, visit Wollongong City Council’s website.

Council has also implemented a pool booking system to manage the number of people at our pools over the summer.

The Book My Swim initiative is a free online booking system that allows residents and visitors to make a 1-2 hour pool booking. Visit Council’s website to make a pool booking.

“Here in Wollongong we have fantastic saltwater and freshwater pools. We want to make sure that everyone has an equal opportunity to use these great facilities,” said Cr Bradbery.

“If you’re planning on having a swim at the pool, make sure you don’t forget to book your swim before you arrive to secure your spot. It’s simple to do, just visit the Wollongong City Council Book My Swim website and place a booking.”


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