Lifesavers warn of rips this summer

As South West residents start to head to the beach to cool off, surf lifesavers across the region are urging swimmers to look out for rips.

Men between the ages of 15 and 39 are most at risk of getting caught and dying in rips, according to Surf Life Saving Western Australia.

General manager Chris Peck said rips were the number one danger swimmers faced at beaches and recent conditions made beaches conducive to the strong currents.

“We are worried about rip conditions with the longer swell period – up to about 16 seconds between each swell,” Mr Peck said.

“It will mean a large volume of water coming into that beach environment which will create rips, and probably flash rips.

“Rips are still the number one cause of drowning deaths on Australian beaches and on average three people die per year in WA as a result.”

Dalyellup and Binningup surf lifesaving clubs have been preparing to patrol coastlines in the lead-up to a hot summer, while the City of Bunbury Surf Life Saving Club announced an extension to patrols to include Koombana Bay.

Mr Peck said beachgoers should take every precaution possible when enjoying a day at the beach.

“Take a cautious approach and observe beach safety behaviours including swimming between the flags, swimming with a friend and not taking unnecessary risks,” he said.

He advised not to mix swimming and alcohol.

The best way to identify a rip is to check with surf lifesavers, according to coastal safety manager Shane Daw.

“All too often young men have an attitude of over confidence and run into the waves before checking to see what the ocean conditions are doing,” Mr Daw said.

“They get into trouble because they haven’t checked for rips, can’t identify a rip and underestimate the strength of these currents, swim after patrols finish or at unpatrolled beaches.”

He said swimmers caught in a rip should raise an arm, float with the current or swim parallel to the beach.