Yallingup records rise in rescues

Yallingup Beach has proved to be a dangerous area for swimmers over the summer period, with 34 rescues recorded since Boxing Day.

St John Ambulance spokesperson Emma Tyrie said in the past few weeks the Dunsborough Sub Centre had received three call-outs to the beach to deal with a suspected spinal injury, a broken arm and a broken leg, none of them life-threatening.

“In recent weeks the local beach conditions have been very rough with a huge swell and back-surges that have got some swimmers into difficulties, unexpectedly,” she said.

“On this basis, it would be advisable to encourage swimmers to take more care in assessing surf conditions before entering the water.”

Surf Life Saving WA lifeguard services co-ordinator Craig Bowley said two life guards patrolled both Yallingup and Smith’s Beach each day from December 26 to January 28.

“Yallingup was up by seven rescues on the previous season,” he said.

Mr Bowley said there were two suspected spinal injuries, and a number of surfing injuries including a surfboard in the eye, a facial injury and a badly lacerated foot.

Smiths Beach recorded a better season with just two rescues, down from 11 in the previous year.

“At Smiths there was one rescue on a jet ski and one rescue on a tube all season long, which resulted in one broken ankle and one suspected spinal,” Mr Bowley said.

SLSWA was looking for anyone with jet ski experience to form an emergency response team in Yallingup.

“We’ve just started one in Denmark and we have them all around the coast including in Busselton,” Mr Bowley said.

“We need about five or six people to operate year-round and we’ll provide the training.”

Anyone interested should contact Mr Bowley on 0407 310 071 or at cbowley@mybeach.com.au.