Lifeguards and lifesavers performed more than 60 rescues and administered first aid to over 200 swimmers as big surf pounded Bate Bay beaches on the weekend.
On Saturday, 10 people were pulled from the surf in a mass rescue at The Wall, between North Cronulla and Elouera beaches, while on Sunday 10 people had to be rescued in a single incident at Wanda.
It was one of the busiest weekends in years for the lifeguards, employed by Sutherland Shire Council, and volunteer surf lifesavers from the Wanda, Elouera, North Cronulla and Cronulla clubs.
A Sutherland Shire Council spokeswoman, who released the details, said swimmers continually found themselves in difficulty in the large and powerful surf.
“In addition, lifeguards assisted surf lifesavers with water safety at the Australian Surf Rowers League event, held at Elouera Beach,” she said.
“On two occasions, competition was suspended so the lifeguards could respond to major incidents.”
Mayor Carmelo Pesce praised the “fantastic” effort of the lifeguards and lifesavers, especially with the extra visitors for the national surfboat competition.
Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive said, “The professionalism of everyone involved in water safety on the weekend was absolutely fantastic to see and played a significant part in the successful running of the surfboat carnival.”
The council and Surf Life Saving NSW collaborated late last year in installing a new emergency call box, called an Emergency Response Beacon (ERB), at Greenhills beach.
In addition, the council installed a new temporary lifeguard tower at the unpatrolled beach.
