Surf lifesavers and lifeguards are bracing for one of their busiest days this summer, with scorching temperatures in western Sydney set to bring tens of thousands of people to Illawarra beaches on Australia Day and across the holiday long weekend.
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While temperatures in Wollongong will be tempered by a sea breeze, the mercury is set to hit the low-40s in Sydney’s west and low-30s at Albion Park on Saturday.
Anthony Turner, from Surf Life Saving Illawarra, said up to 50,000 people were expected across the region’s beaches.
“It [Australia Day] is definitely one of our busiest days,” Mr Turner said.
“Everything is lining up to be that perfect hot day [and with] Australia Day falling on a weekend, we are expecting large crowds.”
This year, surf lifesaving at Stanwell Park beach will be bolstered by a new drone, which takes flight for the first time on Saturday.
“Today’s lifesavers sit in their patrol trailer and they’re looking out, they can see between the flags, but now they can see what’s in the water from above,” Helensburgh-Stanwell Park surf club president Steven McDonald said.
Trained drone operator Lachlan McDonald, 15, said lifesavers would be on the lookout for sharks.
“There’s always going to be sharks in the ocean. There have been more sightings because we are more aware of it and now that we’ve got the drone we’ll be able to see what we haven’t been able to see before,” he said.
Beachgoers have been urged to ask a lifesaver or lifeguard about the conditions and to always swim between the flags.
Lifesavers will work alongside Wollongong City Council lifeguards at the region’s beaches on Australia Day.
The council has extended lifeguard beach patrol hours at 10 of its 17 patrolled beaches on Saturday.
Most beaches will have flags up until 7pm, with Wollongong City beach patrolled until 8pm.
Patrol hours for Sunday and Monday will be as usual for a Sunday and a public holiday.
Australia Day beach patrol hours
- Stanwell Park – 9am to 7pm*
- Coalcliff – 10am to 5pm
- Scarborough – 10am to 5pm
- Coledale – 9am to 6pm
- Austinmer – 9am to 7pm*
- Thirroul – 9am to 7pm*
- Sandon Point – 9am to 6pm*
- Bulli – 9am to 7pm*
- Woonona – 9am to 7pm*
- Bellambi – 9am to 6pm
- Corrimal – 9am to 7pm*
- Towradgi – 9am to 6pm
- Fairy Meadow – 9am to 6pm
- North Wollongong – 8am to 7pm*
- City Beach – 8am to 8pm*
- Port Kembla – 9am to 7pm*
- Windang – 9am to 6pm
Andrew Pearson
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
