General helpful Australia information

Parts of our Community:

Sun Safety

If you’ve watched Australian Television you’ve probably seen advertisements on the dangers of too much exposure to the sun. In reality Australia has the highest incidence of Skin Cancer in the world. Even a moderate suntan means you’ve had too much sun and its damaging your skin. So here are our tips for sun safety:

Wear sunscreen as much as possible when outside in the sun. Replace it after swimming and at least every 2-hours. We recommend SPF (sun protection factor) 30 as a minimum. Even this cannot completely protect you from the sun

Always wear a hat and protective clothing and sunglasses

Staying out of the sun between 11am and 3pm is highly recommended

Surfing and Swimming Safety

Always Swim Between the Flags
Remember the F-L-A-G-S and stay safe this summer.
F = Find the flags and swim between them - the red and yellow flags mark the safest place to swim at the beach.
L = Look at the safety signs - they help you identify potential dangers and daily conditions at the beach.
A = Ask a surf lifesaver for some good advice - surf conditions can change quickly so talk to a surf lifesaver or lifeguard before entering the water.
G = Get a friend to swim with you - so you can look out for each other's safety and get help if needed.
S = Stick your hand up for help - if you get into trouble in the water, stay calm and raise your arm to signal for help.

And remember:

Never swim at unpatrolled beaches; Never ever swim at night; Never swim under the influence of alcohol; Never run and dive into the water; Never swim directly after a meal

The Surf Environment

Rips
A rip is a strong current running out to sea. Rips are the cause of most rescues performed at beaches.
Escaping from a Rip:

If you are caught in a rip: don't Panic - stay calm.

Float with a current or rip - don't try and swim against it as you’ll get very tired very quickly.

If you are a strong swimmer, swim at a 45 degree angle across the rip and in the same direction as the current until you reach the breaking wave zone, then return to shore.

If you are a weak or tired swimmer, float with the current, don't fight it. Swim parallel to the shore for about 30 - 40m until you reach the breaking wave zone, then swim back to shore or signal for help.