GUNNAMATTA Surf Life Saving Club has received $5000 from the federal government’s Beach Safety Equipment Fund.
The fund assists lifesaving clubs to buy rescue equipment and first-aid supplies for rescues over the summer season.
The club’s 90 active members celebrated its 50th anniversary last weekend.
Vice-president Ray Webb said the money would be used to replace worn rescue and patrol equipment.
“It will also enable us to replace the motor in one of our inflatable rescue boats,” he said.
The also will enable the club to spend other funds on training and to run nippers sessions.
“This equipment will assist us to keep beachgoers safe and allow us to use club funds to provide additional services to members,” Mr Webb said.
He said swimmers could help life guards by swimming between the flags and by making themselves aware of the dangers of swimming in open water.
“I regularly tell young swimmers and surfers to keep an eye on the shore so they know how far they are drifting and to ensure they stay between the flags. Being dragged out by a rip can happen in an instant, so we need to be vigilant about keeping an eye on the conditions and modifying our behaviour if conditions change.”
Mr Webb said it was important to educate visitors from overseas who might not be aware of the dangers of the surf.
Flinders MP Greg Hunt said the club had carried out 41 rescues this season.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 26 January 2016