I was out to lunch on Saturday when the conversation turned to the recent surfing tragedies along our coast. A couple of people at the table said something that got me thinking.

"We’re a tourism destination," one of them pointed out. "We invite people here. A lot of them come from Western Sydney, where they don’t grow up with the ocean. They don’t get the same chance to understand the surf or learn beach safety."

They were right. We do invite people here. Kiama, Gerringong and Gerroa are magnets for visitors, particularly in summer, and many of those visitors have little experience with the unpredictable nature of the ocean. 

Rips, changing tides and shifting sandbanks aren’t things you necessarily think about when you haven’t grown up near the beach.

We proudly tell the world that Kiama is the destination. The question is, what can we do to ensure visitors enjoy it safely?

Some councils and surf clubs in coastal areas have started partnerships with inland communities, delivering beach safety education before people even set foot on the sand. 

Could Kiama do the same? Imagine a program where lifesavers visit schools in Western Sydney, giving kids a practical understanding of rips and surf safety before they even book their summer holiday.

Technology could play a big role in preventing tragedies. ResQVision, an emerging real-time monitoring system, could be a game-changer. QR codes at beach entrances could link to live surf conditions, warnings in multiple languages and expert safety advice. 

Visitors could scan a code and instantly see the latest updates on rips, tides and swimming conditions before stepping onto the sand.

But nothing beats human interaction. Should we have more visible surf safety ambassadors, volunteers or trained staff at our busiest beaches during peak times, approaching visitors before they enter the water? 

Could a combination of ResQVision technology and face-to-face guidance make a real difference in reducing preventable drownings?

What if we partnered with a city like Penrith, where many of our visitors come from? A structured program between councils, surf clubs, St John’s Ambulance and schools could create a pipeline of education that doesn’t just reduce risk but builds long-term awareness. 

Perhaps even exchange programs where young people from Western Sydney spend time with surf lifesavers here, learning firsthand.

The ocean belongs to everyone, but so does the responsibility for keeping people safe in it. We can’t put all the pressure on lifeguards and volunteers when the reality is that prevention is the best tool we have. 

If we’re inviting people to our coastline, we need to make sure they have the knowledge to enjoy it safely.

Kiama is the destination - but are we doing enough to make it a safe one?