Following a heartbreaking season last summer that saw three drowning deaths on the Sunshine Coast, lifeguards and volunteer lifesavers are urging everyone to make safety a priority.
Their message is clear: Stop, Look and Stay Alive. The national campaign urges people to Stop before they enter the water, Look for the red and yellow flags to swim between and for any signs and warnings, and Stay Alive by assessing whether they have the ability to tackle the prevailing conditions, not going in alone and only entering the water if it's safe.
Who's there to help protect you?
Sunshine Coast Council-funded professional lifeguards, supported by thousands of dedicated volunteer lifesavers, patrol our beaches with one shared mission: zero preventable deaths.
Their message is simple but vital: if you're heading to the beach, choose a patrolled location and swim between the flags.
The 2025-26 volunteer surf lifesaving season begins on Friday, September 19, in time for the school holidays, and will run until early May 2026.
Last financial year (2024-25), more than 6.6 million people visited Sunshine Coast beaches, with lifeguards and lifesavers performing 550 rescues, 98,574 preventative actions and 7,696 first aid treatments.
How your Council helps save lives
Sunshine Coast Council's $7.2 million annual contribution towards lifeguarding services ensures year-round patrol services and vital rescue equipment for our community and visitors to the region.
More than 124 professional lifeguards are employed across permanent, part-time and casual positions to cover 21 patrolled beach locations, from north Coolum to Bulcock Beach in Caloundra.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the region's beaches were among the best in the world and a source of great enjoyment for locals and visitors.
However, the ocean was an unpredictable environment and Mayor Natoli encouraged everyone to follow the directions of our expert lifeguards to ensure they stayed safe.
"Our funding helps provide lifeguards with the vital equipment they need to perform their duties, including jet skis, all-terrain vehicles, rescue boards, flags, first aid kits and portable surveillance cameras for high-risk locations," Mayor Natoli said.
"We all need to play our part though.
"Whether you're a resident or visitor to our beautiful region, always choose a patrolled beach and swim between the red and yellow flags.
"Follow lifeguard and lifesaver instructions, check conditions before entering the water, and never swim alone.
"These simple actions could save lives - including your own."
What's new this season
Several improvements will be made to lifeguard services between Coolum and Caloundra to ensure Sunshine Coast beaches are even safer under the Surf Life Saving Queensland - Sunshine Coast Council Lifeguard Service Plan 2023-2028.
Among the most notable changes is an increase in lifeguard resourcing, including:
- A roving lifeguard will now provide relief across multiple lifeguard service locations north of the Maroochy River, ensuring consistent coverage throughout the day.
- Marcoola will now be covered with a second lifeguard during September, Christmas and Easter school holidays.
