Record crowds flock to the region’s beaches lifesavers feel heat

Jessica Benton
Record crowds flocked to the region’s beaches this week as temperatures soared into the high 30s, according to lifesavers.
Tens of thousands of beachgoers rushed to Ocean Grove, 13th Beach, Point Lonsdale, Queenscliff, Torquay and Jan Juc as temperatures reached a peak of 37C on Tuesday.
But Geelong’s foreshore has been the biggest magnet, with more than 41,000 visitors so far this summer, according to Royal Lifesaving Association of Victoria.
Association lifeguard supervisor Andy Doyle said the overall number of people visiting the region’s beaches was down on last year but single days had produced records.
“Last year we had a hot summer all season and we had about 88,000 people visit the Ocean Grove beach alone. This year there have been colder days and only 28,000 visitors at Ocean Grove so far but the difference is that people are coming in larger numbers on a handful of days,” Mr Doyle said.
The record crowds were taking their toll on lifeguards and volunteer lifesavers, he said.
“Most of the lifeguards are waiting with baited breath because it makes for a very tense time when everyone’s arriving at the beach together.”
Mr Doyle said Monday’s 33C attracted about 2500 people to Ocean Grove’s main beach where lifeguards conducted 24 “minor first-aid jobs”.
Lifeguards, who were paid to patrol beaches during the week, and weekend volunteer lifesavers had conducted 38 rescues across the region so far this summer, Mr Doyle said.
The association had recorded 12 rescues in Geelong, 14 at Torquay, five at Bancoora, three at 13th Beach and one each at Jan Juc and Point Lonsdale.