Kiama Surf Beach saw a season high of 21 rescues in one day, a sobering reminder of the ocean’s unpredictable nature. Between 12 and 2 pm, when the tide was changing, flash rips caught swimmers off guard, leading to repeated incidents despite the surf appearing calm.

With over 150 swimmers in the water and more than 400 people on the beach, Kiama Surf Life Saving Club’s patrolling members worked tirelessly to ensure everyone made it home safely. Thanks to their vigilance, all rescues had positive outcomes, with each swimmer guided safely back to shore. Club Captain Natasha Osmond-Dreyer explained that these kinds of days are a reminder of the critical role of preparation and teamwork.

Patrolling the beach involves more than reacting to emergencies. Osmond-Dreyer shared how every patrol begins by assessing the strengths of each team member, assigning the strongest swimmer to water rescues, while others take on roles such as first aid and resuscitation. This preparation allows the team to act swiftly and effectively.

On the day of the rescues, the team carefully monitored swimmers in groups, continuously counting heads after waves and scanning for subtle signs of distress, such as someone drifting further out or struggling against a current.

While swimming between the flags is the safest option, Osmond-Dreyer stressed that swimmers must still be aware of their own competency. “Even if you are in the flagged area, you need to be honest about your ability. If you are not confident in the surf, do not go out too far. Stay close to shore where you can stand,” she said.

Most of the rescues on the day occurred within the flags but involved swimmers who lacked the skills to handle deeper water.

Lifesavers did not wait for a raised hand before taking action. Osmond-Dreyer explained that patrol members could see people struggling before they had a chance to call for help.

“We were proactive. We rescued them before they even had time to signal for assistance. By the time we reached them, they were already in trouble. If we had waited for them to raise their hands, the outcome could have been very different,” she said.

Photographs and footage from beach cameras also play a vital role in monitoring conditions. These cameras, part of a national coastal monitoring system, allow lifesavers to assess beach and surf conditions throughout the day. The images provide critical information on rip currents, wave patterns, and how weather conditions impact the safety of swimmers.

Osmond-Dreyer explained that these visuals are essential for understanding the dynamics of the ocean and for planning patrols effectively.

Photographs and footage from beach cameras also play a vital role in monitoring conditions.

She added that the photographs are also valuable for public education and training. “We share these images on our Facebook page to show how deceptively calm the water can look when dangerous rips are present. They’re also useful for training purposes, helping us review how we responded to rescues and what we could do better in the future,” she said.

While the lifesavers were able to guide all swimmers to safety, some individuals needed to be rescued multiple times, highlighting the importance of understanding what to do in a rip.

Osmond-Dreyer emphasised that the most important thing is to avoid panicking. Floating on your back to conserve energy is critical, and raising one arm straight in the air is a clear signal to lifesavers that you need help. She explained that rips are not going to carry you all the way to New Zealand, andt fighting against them will only exhaust you.

“Floating is your best friend,” she said, adding that waiting for assistance or swimming at an angle to the rip’s direction will improve your chances of staying safe.

She also stressed the importance of swimming between the red and yellow flags, where patrols monitor the conditions most closely. “

We position our team to cover this zone because it is the safest place to swim,” Osmond-Dreyer said. “If you are unsure about the conditions, always talk to the lifesavers on duty. We are here to share local knowledge about hazards and rip conditions, and we would much rather give you advice upfront than have to rescue you later.”

The 21 rescues at Surf Beach are a reminder of the vital role of both patrol teams and personal responsibility. Osmond-Dreyer’s advice is simple but life-saving: respect the ocean, swim at patrolled beaches, stay calm if caught in a rip, and always speak to the lifesavers.