Lifesavers’ plea for summer

They will monitor 73,000 beachgoers, complete more than 4000 preventative actions and rescue more than 400 people in the next six months, but volunteers from Secret Harbour Surf Life Saving Club are ready for all the action this summer season has in store.

Lifesavers from SHSLC will be among the hundreds of volunteers who will return to beaches across WA this weekend to protect people in and out of the water.

The club expects another busy summer after a record 2011-12 season.

Of the 432 rescues on Rockingham beaches last year, more than half happened on Secret Harbour Beach, which is patrolled by the club.

Club captain Garry Williams encouraged swimmers to stay safe now the warm weather had arrived.

‘‘There still is the potential for larger dumping waves on to a shallow sandbar that can make swimming, bodysurfing and surfing extremely hazardous and can result in serious spinal injuries,’’ he said.

‘‘With the potential for larger surf and shallow sandbars also comes strong rips and deep channels.

‘‘People are reminded if they are caught in a rip not to panic and swim out of the rip at 90 degrees to the shore.’’

While the men and women in red and yellow would be on hand in emergencies, Mr Williams said the latest technology meant it was easier than ever for beachgoers to keep up to date with the latest beach conditions with the Beachsafe App and website.

‘‘The Beachsafe App is iPhone and Android compatible and it gives you up to date beach conditions, tidal, wind and temperatures, as well as the immediate dangers that exist on that specific beach,’’ he said.

‘‘It has every beach in Australia on it and tells you the closest patrolled beach to you.

‘‘Additionally you can visit the Facebook or Twitter pages of Surf Life Saving WA for the latest news on what’s happening on West Australian beaches.’’