An extra 1 million more people have already flocked to beaches across NSW compared to this time last summer.
So if it feels like there are a lot more people lounging on the sand and frolicking in the ocean lately, you’re not wrong.
As our famous coasts become packed with tens of thousands of beachgoers, the state’s lifeguards have been working harder than ever.
According to figures released by Surf Life Saving NSW, beaches around the state have already been visited 4 million times this summer alone.
“Obviously with the increased people coming down it increases the likelihood of people requiring assistance,” Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steve Pearce told 9News.
Since December 1, there have been more than 1000 rescues across NSW.
That amounts to roughly 23 per day.
“A thousand people have been saved by surf live savers in NSW and that is an amazing feat, a wonderful feat and it speaks greatly about our volunteers,” NSW Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said.
The spike in beach visits means life savers need better resources to keep up with the rescues.
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Narrabeen on NSW’s northern beaches uses an emergency response beacon (ERB) on the unpatrolled beach.
It includes a 24/7 hotline for swimmers to immediately call a nearby lifeguard for help.
There are 53 of these beacons installed along NSW’s unpatrolled beaches and another 12 on the way.
“We’ve seen over 100 documented rescues and activations as a direct result of the ERBs being installed,” Pearce added.
More ERBs are set to be installed in Port Macquarie, Ballina, Nambucca and on the NSW south coast.
