Coastal beach veterans demand action after Surf Life Saving WA’s ‘irresponsible’ call

Claims by the head of Surf Life Saving WA that it is “irresponsible” for people to swim at unpatrolled beaches has sparked a renewed call for action on serious threats along the coast.

Veteran surfers who have repeatedly raised the lack of a fast-response rescue service to help oceangoers and surfers in trouble this week said the comments from SLSWA general manager of lifesaving Greg Peck showed their concerns were serious.

With population and visitor growth stronger than ever – and development at outlying enclaves such as Hamelin Bay and Redgate spurring more beach activity there as well – action was well overdue.

Margaret River’s Rivermouth is the only partly-patrolled beach in the Shire of Augusta-Margaret that includes notorious locations like Redgate Beach where lives have been lost in years past.

However, there remained fears that despite the warning, no real outcome had arisen from talks between key agencies and local groups including Margaret River Surf Life Saving Club.

Club president Craig Fisher said a meeting last year did not arrive at a solid solution despite the ever-growing needs for lifeguards at more locations.

“Going forward, more water safety services will need to be provided with a rapidly increasing population,” Mr Fisher said.

“How this is facilitated is an ongoing discussion.”

As the biggest agency in charge of unpatrolled beaches, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions pointed to extensive warning signs at dangerous beaches as well as identification numbers to help in emergencies rather than address questions about the feasibility of patrols.

An agency spokesperson said despite a 50 per cent increase in visitors to the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park since 2018, the latest figures showed a decline.

Visitors could check beachsafe.org.au for safety ratings and patrol information, DBCA said.

“Even when waters look calm, they can pose hidden dangers, such as fast-moving currents or underwater hazards,” a spokesperson said.

“To stay safe, observe warning signs, know your fitness levels and don’t overestimate your swimming ability.”

SLSWA’s Mr Peck stirred beach users earlier this month when he said it was irresponsible to surf where beaches weren’t patrolled or flagged, and the State’s dire drowning rate was partly down to people ignoring obvious safety concerns.

“It tells us that too many people are still taking unnecessary risks and going into the water when they should be staying on the sand,” he said.

“It is the common scenario of people overestimating their abilities and underestimating the conditions. Just because they were safe swimming there last week doesn’t mean it’ll be safe this week.”

An SLSWA spokesperson said DBCA only engaged SLSWA’s lifeguard services at Mersey Point and Rockingham.

“DBCA are aware of the patrol services we are able to offer,” they said.

“Many of the beaches in the South West under DBCA management already have the State Government’s shark warning systems, therefore it is unlikely that the installation of any of SLSWA’s unmanned Surf Alert Modules would be considered before those units have reached the end of their life cycle.”

Surfers said previous meetings, including talks brokered by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, basically fell apart because no agency wanted to take on the costs to extend patrols.