19 Jan why do people continue to swim at unpatrolled beaches despite the warnings?
After a spate of drownings over summer, research has revealed the reasons why people continue to swim at unpatrolled beaches, despite the warnings.
With approximately one in five of NSWâs 721 beaches having lifeguards and surf lifesavers, chances are that thousands of holidaymakers will be swimming at unpatrolled beaches these Christmas holidays.
And while many of us cherish this right to enjoy our coast off the beaten track, statistics paint a sobering picture about the risks of swimming at unpatrolled beaches. Last year, more than 76 per cent of Australiaâs 141 coastal drowning deaths occurred more than 1km away from the nearest lifeguard service, or outside patrol times.
UNSW Sydney surf scientist Professor Rob Banderâ aka Dr Ripâ says that while the âswim between the flagsâ message has been loud and clear for generations of Aussies, it needs to be augmented with messaging about the risks of swimming at unmonitored beaches if weâre to reduce the numbers of people drowning.
âThereâs no doubting that the âswim between the flagsâ message is effective on patrolled beaches,â Prof. Brander says.
âBut there are lots of people going to beaches with no flags, and no matter what we do, theyâre going to go to these beaches, so we have to give them something more.â
Why people swim at unpatrolled beaches
Earlier this year, Prof. Brander and his colleagues at UNSWâ Beach Safety Research Group published research in Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences highlighting the reasons people gave for visiting beaches without lifeguards.
They surveyed 459 beachgoers visiting five unpatrolled beaches around New South Wales: three on the south coast (Merry Beach, Racecourse Beach and Tabourie Beach); an unpatrolled urban beach in Sydneyâs Northern Beaches (Turimetta Beach); and a social-media driven tourist destination, Dreamtime Beach in northern NSW, ranked one of Australiaâs best beaches â despite recording five drowning deaths since 2015.
âMost of these people we surveyed were infrequent beachgoers, so they only go to the beach a handful of times a year,â Prof. Brander says.
âThey had poor rip current identification skills, and most didnât observe the safety signage that was there. But 86 per cent of all respondents intended to go swimming at one of these beaches, despite being aware there were no lifeguards.â
The main reasons that people chose to swim at beaches with no flags were varied, ranging from being protected by the wind, to finding out about it on social media to being chosen because of its natural beauty.
But there were two reasons that people gave that stood out almost universally. First, the beach was the closest beach to their holiday accommodation, and second, people wanted to find a beach away from the crowds.
âI think what these findings show is that people arenât going to jump in a car and drive 25 kilometres to the nearest patrolled beach, theyâre going to this beach theyâve chosen because itâs close to accommodation and itâs quiet.
âSo I think we need to move beyond the âswim between the flagsâ message and accept that people are always going to wind up at unpatrolled beaches.â
How do you stay safe when swimming at unpatrolled beaches?
Prof. Brander points to a campaign that Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) launched in 2018 to address swimming at unpatrolled beaches or outside hours that beaches are patrolled.
The “Think Line” campaign encouraged beachgoers to draw a line in the sand to Stop, Look and Plan before swimming at the beach.
âThe Think Line campaign recognises that beachgoers frequent the coast at different times and different locations and that lifeguards cannot be everywhere,â says Shane Daw, SLSA General Manager Coastal Safety.
âBy taking a moment to STOP and check for rips, LOOK for other dangers and hazards and PLAN to be safe and what to do if something goes wrong can make the difference between a great day and tragedy.â
Surf Life Saving Australia recognises the fact that with approximately 52,000km of coastline and almost 12,000 beaches nationally it is essential for those visiting the coast to be aware of potential hazards. If you canât swim at a patrolled beach it is essential to minimise risk by knowing where you are going, what your limitations are and what to do in case of an emergency. With an average of 122 coastal drowning deaths and 11,000 rescues each year every visitor to the coast has a role to play in staying safe. The Think Line campaign is about empowering all beach visitors to take three simple steps to being safe.
Key summer beach safety messages
â1. Where possible, swim at a patrolled beach, between the red and yellow flags
2. Regardless of whether youâre at a patrolled or unpatrolled beach, adopt a STOP, LOOK, PLAN approach
- STOP â check for rip currents
- LOOK â for the other hazards
- PLAN â to stay safe, to swim at a patrolled location â check beachsafe.org.au
3. Wear a lifejacket if boating, rock fishing or on watercraft
4. Check weather conditions before heading out
5. Avoid alcohol and drugs when on or around water
6.  Supervise children at all times on, in and around water
7. Visit Beachsafe.org.au