Beachgoers heading to the Bega shire to escape the summer heat these Christmas holidays can do so under the watchful eye of lifeguards from the Australian Lifeguard Service (ALS).
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Lifeguards are preparing to start patrols at eight locations to keep beachgoers safe.
Patrols at Aslings Beach, Eden begin on Saturday, December 21.
Bermagui, Tathra and Pambula Beaches will be patrolled from Monday, December 23.
Patrols at Camel Rock, Short Point, Bar Beach and Merimbula begin Boxing Day on Thursday, December 26.
Services in the area operate from 9am to 5pm but vary from five days to seven days a week depending on agreements with local council.
Volunteer surf lifesavers will also be on patrol on weekends and public holidays ensuring that beaches will have even greater levels of surveillance and that there will be fast response times in the event of an emergency.
Lifeguards and volunteer surf lifesavers are on high alert after a 22 percent spike in coastal drowning deaths in NSW over the 2018/19 season.
Statistics in the 2019 Surf Life Saving NSW Coastal Safety Report show 44 people tragically lost their lives along the NSW Coast.
ALS NSW lifeguard supervisor Will Apps had some advice for holidaymakers.
"Swimmers should be cautious of the outgoing tide at Bar Beach Merimbula. It creates a particularly strong current and is a rescue hotspot over summer," he said.
"Rock fishers should wear lifejackets and check swell conditions. Consider fishing at Tathra and Merimbula Wharfs which are safer options than fishing from exposed rocks.
"Our key safety message for everyone this summer is to swim at a patrolled location - because if we can't see you, we can't save you.
"We know that only one in four people can spot a rip. Even if you think you know a beach, don't be complacent about where you swim. Beaches change and rips can form quickly."
Lifeguards will patrol the following beaches across the Bega Valley this summer:
Camel Rock: December 26 to January 27, seven days, 9am-5pm.
Bermagui (Horseshoe Bay): December 23 to January 27, five days, 9am-5pm.
Tathra: December 23 to January 27, five days, 9am-5pm.
Short Point: December 26 to January 27, seven days, 9am-5pm.
Bar Beach: December 26 to January 27, seven days, 9am-5pm.
Merimbula (Main Beach): December 26 to January 27, seven days, 9am-5pm.
Pambula: December 23 to January 27, five days, 9am-5pm.
Eden (Aslings): December 21 to January 27, seven days, 9am-5pm.
For a full list of patrolled beaches and times click here.
