Water Safety

Coffs Harbour City Council currently employs 20 lifeguards to patrol the City's most popular beaches and to promote surf safety education.

For further enquiries on positions vacant, contact Council's Senior Lifeguard Sonny Tisdell on 0428 285073.

Council lifeguards say NEVER:

• Swim alone or surf at beaches not patrolled by lifeguards or lifesavers.
• Bathe outside the red and yellow flags that mark beach swimming areas. Remember NO FLAGS = NO SWIM.
• Bathe directly after a meal or under the influence of alcohol.
• Bathe when the beach is closed. (Observe the visual signal "Warning - Swimming not Advised)
• Bathe when there are no red and yellow flags in position. Remember NO FLAGS = NO SWIM.
• Panic if caught in a current or rip, but raise one arm straight up, call for help and float until help arrives.
• Struggle if seized with a cramp. Raise one arm for help, float and keep the affected part of the body still.
• Bathe if unsure of conditions. Seek the advice of the nearest lifeguard or lifesaver. 
• Struggle against a rip or current, but if strong enough, swim diagonally across it to get to a sandbank.  Sandbanks are recognised by breaking waves.

Flags and signage

The number one golden rule for swimmers is:

Always swim between the red & yellow flag on patrolled beaches.  Remember NO FLAGS = NO SWIM.

It is important to read the Flags and Beach information Signs and understand what they mean before entering the water.

Below is a guide to some of the signs displayed at Coffs Harbour City Council controlled beaches.

Prohibition Signs	Warning Signs
Motor Vehicles Prohibited	Creek
Alcohol Prohibited	Leash Free Area
Dogs Prohibited	Boat Ramp
Motor Cycles Prohibited	Hazard
Camping Prohibited	Dogs must be on leashes
Horse Riding Prohibited	High Surf
Littering Prohibited	Cliff
Surfing Prohibited	Shallow Water
	Slippery Rocks
	Uneven Depth