First comes the announcement that surf lifesavers and lifeguards are about to deploy drones across the state as summer looms.

Surf Life Saving NSW and the NSW Department of Primary Industries have announced an extension of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle trial to provide beach safety surveillance over 15 beaches from the start of the October school holidays.

The UAVs will provide an extra set of eyes for greater coverage of dangers along the coast and a faster response to incidents at key black-spot locations.

Fitted with alerting devices and the ability to drop an inflatable rescue pod to distressed swimmers, the drones will become a vital part of the arsenal of surf lifesavers.

Not only will it be used for shark spotting, but new alert devices fitted to the UAVs can be used to help evacuate swimmers from the water if required.

The trials begin this weekend on the north coast with other beach locations to follow.

Locations include Kiama, Mollymook, Pambula and Tathra.

Surf Life Saving is also looking to shake up its image of bronzed Aussie rescuers saving the day.

It’s encouraging people of all nationalities so learn the ropes and become life savers.

Locally, the organisation hopes recruits from “over the escaperment” will help out on Illawarra beaches. Picton, Campbelltown and Camden are target areas.

Thirty-nine people drowned along the state's coast last financial year, up seven on the year before.

Even before the iconic red and yellow flags have gone up for the first time this season on Saturday, crews have been called out to rescues up and down the coast.

Let’s hope the inclusive attitude and appeal to at-risk groups – particularly the culturally and linguistically diverse sections of the community – helps save lives this season.

Clubs tapping into the communities that enjoy their beaches can only be a positive step.