Sun's out, flags are up across Illawarra beaches from Saturday

It’s official – summer is just around the corner.

Across the Illawarra from Stanwell Park to Werri Beach the iconic red and yellow flags will go up on Saturday, 28 September to mark the start of another patrol season.

At Wollongong beaches council and volunteer surf lifesavers will be on patrol at 17 beaches across the local government area.

Outgoing Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery celebrated the opening of the swim season and called on beachgoers to remember to swim between the flags.

“We want to acknowledge not only are the beaches patrolled by volunteer surf lifesavers, but the council will also provide surf lifesavers six days a week,” he said.

“I can’t emphasise enough that swimming at a patrolled beach is most important – if you can’t see a pair of red and yellow flags, don’t swim.”

It’s not just beaches – Wollongong’s rock, ocean and cement pools are all open from Saturday.

Shellharbour Council also kicks off its aquatic season on Saturday, with safety top of mind for the 2024 – 2025 summer.

Shellharbour Mayor Chris Homer said the council’s aquatics team was hard at work preparing beaches and pools across the local government area.

Shellharbour’s aquatic season will begin with patrols seven days a week at Shellharbour North and Warilla Central beaches, from 9:30 am to 5 pm.

The Beverley Whitfield Pool will be patrolled on weekends from 9 am to 5 pm and will increase to daily operations during the spring and summer school holidays.

Oak Flats Pool will open seven days a week from Saturday 28 September. Albion Park and Warilla swimming pools will open in late October.

“We have a dedicated team of council lifeguards and weekend volunteer lifesavers who will be keeping our beaches and pools safe,” said Mayor Homer.

“We’ve focused on prevention this year to continue reducing the number of rescues, so everyone can enjoy the water safely.”

Kiama Council lifeguards and volunteer lifesavers will also begin their patrol season this Saturday 28 September.

Surf Beach will be patrolled seven days a week between 10 am and 5:30 pm on weekdays and 10 am to 4 pm on weekends.

Jones and Werri beaches will be patrolled on weekends only from 10 am to 4 pm.

Beach patrols will increase when summer lifeguards begin work on 23 December.

Supervising Beach Lifeguard Craig Bowley said no matter your swimming skills and experience, the same rule applied to everyone: no flags, means no swimming.

“We have some of the most beautiful beaches on the South Coast but we also have some of the most dangerous,” Mr Bowley said.

“This includes South Bombo Beach, which is one of our most unsafe stretches of coast.”

Kiama Council in partnership with Surf Lifesaving NSW has installed an emergency relay beacon (ERB) at South Bombo Beach, as well as other drowning black spots at Kendalls Beach and Blowhole Point.

In an emergency you can activate the beacon, which instantly connects you to the Surf Lifesaving NSW Operations Centre.

A text message also alerts the nearest lifesaver or lifeguards.

Surf Life Saving Illawarra president, Pete Everett, said volunteers were hard at work in the off season preparing for summer – they just needed swimmers to do their bit and stick between the flags.

“We have about 1400 active surf lifesavers across 17 clubs who are ready to look after the community and start work this weekend,” he said.

“We’re looking forward to the season ahead and urge people to swim at patrolled beaches.

“Most fatalities occur within a kilometre of the red and yellow flags – go and swim between the flags.

“If you’re unsure of the conditions please ask a lifesaver, don’t second guess them.

“Conditions can vary quite a lot depending on the location, conditions and the weather.

“If you do get caught in a rip, don’t panic, try to relax, raise your hand if you’re able and let the rip take you where it’s going to take you.

“Help will come.”