MORE than 1.2 million people can thank them for making a day at the beach just that, but Newcastle's council lifeguards are urging vigilance for a few more days as their season wraps up.
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The team, which has conducted 100 rescues so far this summer, is urging swimmers to take care amid predicted heavy seas.
The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts a southerly swell of up to 2.5 metres on Sunday, with Saturday's swell expected to increase to two or three metres in the morning.
The council lifeguards' summer season, which ends Sunday, has already included 100 rescues, 2800 cases of minor first aid and 80 of major first aid.
City of Newcastle figures indicate there were 200,000 more visitors on patrolled beaches compared to the season before, with 10 more rescues and 2000 more preventative actions taken.
The council's aquatic services co-ordinator Donna McGovern, a former Olympic swimmer, said a particularly hot and dry summer had prompted the higher workload.
"The 2018/19 summer season was arguably the busiest season the Beach lifeguard service has experienced due to hot dry conditions and the increased activation of the coast due to the Bathers Way," Ms McGovern said.
"Lifeguards are extremely proactive when it comes to taking preventative measures.
"This can include asking surfers to surf outside the flagged area to urging beach goers to swim between the red and yellow flags instead of near dangerous rips."
At Lake Macquarie more than 940,000 people attended beaches and lifeguards conducted 248 rescues, responded to 1,432 first aid incidents and undertook 5,803 preventative actions.
Newcastle's lifeguards will spend the cooler months in schools delivering a water safety education program that has run for 52 years.
Lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the dedication of lifeguards truly saved lives.
"Protecting tourists and beachgoers from the dangers of the sea is no easy feat, particularly when they're keeping watch over 1.2 million visitors," Cr Nelmes said.
"I'd like to thank all of our lifeguards for the work they do and alert the public to be careful in their absence at some city beaches from Monday."
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service has separately urged the public to consider their safety after Easter delivered one of the busiest weekends in the service's history.
Chief executive Richard Jones said the service was called out 24 times in four days during the long weekend.
It had received another eight calls since Tuesday including two people injured by animals at Dollys Flat and Singleton, a search for a missing kayaker at Norah Head and a rock fisherman rescue at Pinny beach.
"With this recent run of good weather and the Easter holiday period, so many people are out enjoying the great outdoors," he said.
"Our helicopter crews responded around the clock to emergency calls throughout northern NSW and were kept busy at each of our three bases in Belmont, Tamworth and Lismore."
Matt Carr
Matt began his Newcastle Herald career as a cadet in 2009. He is a Walkley nominated reporter who has covered councils, police and general news rounds across the Upper Hunter, Port Stephens, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Newcastle. Now his focus is on digital storytelling and breaking news.
Matt began his Newcastle Herald career as a cadet in 2009. He is a Walkley nominated reporter who has covered councils, police and general news rounds across the Upper Hunter, Port Stephens, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Newcastle. Now his focus is on digital storytelling and breaking news.
