Surf clubs to run extra patrols in Geraldton, Dongara over break as beachgoers celebrate festive season

Mid West beach users will be able to take to the waves over the break in safety, with extra surf lifesaving patrols running in Dongara and Geraldton.

The Dongara-Denison, Champion Bay and Geraldton Surf Lifesaving Clubs will all run patrols on both days of the Christmas and New Year weekends and on the public holidays.

Dongara-Denison president Rod Owen said the club would have patrols at South Beach and Grannys.

“We’ll be down the beach and it looks like there’s going to be nice weather,” Owen said.

“We will have people patrolling the beach and trotting up and down.

“Just be observant about the conditions.”

He said people usually drove on the beach at South Beach and swam where their car was parked but the club would have flags out and patrol the beach.

Champion Bay patrol captain Sue Britt said beach safety had been good so far this summer and said people should keep taking precautions to stay out of trouble in the water.

“Just the standard ‘slip, slop, slap’,” Britt said.

“People should also swim between the flags.

“It (safety) has been pretty good.”

With nippers finished for the year, the next event for the club would be Australia Day activities, she said.

A spokesperson for Geraldton Surf Lifesaving Club said the club would be running extra patrols at Back Beach.

The spokesperson said people should avoid drinking alcohol and swimming, swim in groups and be mindful of beach safety.

Surf Lifesaving WA is asking people to show them their boardies and support beach safety by holding a Boardies Day.

The State body is asking schools, workplaces, community groups and individuals to plan beach events and send pictures of the day to raise funds.

“For every daring beach rescue, dedicated surf lifesavers spend hours on and off the beach, gaining the special skills they need to face any emergency,” it said.

“Surf lifesavers also need specialised training in equipment, like jet skis and surveillance drones, that are now an integral part of our lifesaving services thanks to the generous support of our community.”

More information can be found on the Geraldton and Champion Bay Surf Lifesaving Club social media pages and at boardiesdaywa.com.au.