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Beach safety

To help ensure that you have a fun day at the beach, it’s important to know the basics of beach safety in the water and on the sand. The most important rule to follow is: No flags = no swim!

Other top safety tips include:

• Only swim between the red and yellow flags.
• Look out for safety signs and read them before entering the water.
• Stay hydrated and always slip, slop, slap. Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a hat, shirt, sunglasses and factor 30+ sunscreen.
• Do not swim under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Never leave your valuables unattended.
• If you need help, find a lifeguard or visit the lifeguard tower.

Smoking and alcohol are not allowed on the beach. For more information, see alcohol free zones.

What to do if you get caught in a rip

If you get into trouble in the water, including getting stuck in a rip, floating is your best chance of survival.

1. Reach back with your head
2. Breathe with a soft mouth
3. Move your arms and legs gently
4. Call out for help
5. Continue to stay calm and float until help arrives

If you’re an experienced swimmer, you can also try swimming parallel or sideways to the beach as this may bring you back to the shore. If this doesn’t work, do not tire yourself out by swimming against the rip. Just float with the current and wait for help to arrive.

Learn what a rip is and how to spot a rip current in this video from Surf Life Saving Australia.

Safety signs

Please be sure to read safety signs before entering the water.

Rock fishing

Rock fishing is a dangerous pastime. If you choose to go rock fishing, you run the risk of slipping on rocks or being swamped by waves and swept out to sea. Fishing spots can be a long way from help and are often difficult for emergency services to access, so if you choose to go out, you must be prepared and understand the risks.

No matter what your skill level is, be sure to follow these guidelines to stay safe:

• Always wear a lifejacket.
• Check weather conditions and updates before heading out.
• Wear non-slip footwear.
• Never fish alone and always tell others when and where you are going.
• Carry a mobile phone or Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) with you at all times.

For more information on how to go rock fishing safely, watch the below video and check out the resources at the end of this page.

Surfers’ code

The beach is a shared space for everyone. If you are learning how to surf, or are new to the area, follow these tips for staying safe in the surf:

• Respect everyone: Respect everyone in the surf. This includes swimmers, paddle boarders, body boarders and others surfers. Be mindful of those around you.
• Don’t surf between the flags: Surf away from the red and yellow flags. These areas are for swimmers.
• Don’t drop in: The surfer on the inside, closest to the breaking part of the wave has right of way.
• Paddle wide: When paddling out, stay wide – away from others catching waves.
• Communicate: Tell other surfers and swimmers near you which way you're going on a wave.
• Hold on to your board: Don't let go of your board if possible, doing so can endanger others.
• Surf within your abilities: Know your limitations and surf within your ability.

Useful resources

• Check the Bureau of Meteorology for NSW and Sydney metro weather forecasts.
• Visit Float to Survive Australia to find out more about this campaign supported by Waverley and Randwick Councils.
• Read the Council for Intellectual Disability’s Summer Safety: Beach and sun safety easy read guide.
• For tips on how to fish safely (including off the rocks), visit the NSW Government’s rock fishing safety page, the NSW Department of Primary Industries’ fishing safely page and SafeFishing for translated resources.

For more information, email our Customer Service Centre at info@waverley.nsw.gov.au or call 9083 8000.