More than 800 volunteer surf lifesavers will hit Tasmania’s beaches this weekend as the state’s 2025-26 patrol season officially begins.
Surf Life Saving Tasmania launched the season at Kingston Beach on National Water Safety Day.
The organisation’s key summer message is simple: “Stop, Look, Stay Alive.”
SLST chief executive Tony van den Enden urged beachgoers to check conditions before entering the water.
“This summer, we’re asking Tasmanians to stop and check conditions before they get in the water, look at the weather and, if in doubt, ask a local or talk to a surf lifesaver to understand the conditions,” he said.
Tasmania has 1,269 accessible beaches, but lifesavers can only patrol a small number of them.
Van den Enden said it was vital to equip Tasmanians with the skills and confidence to stay safe at unpatrolled spots.
“While we patrol the beaches we can, it’s critical we provide that safety message, skills and confidence for Tasmanians to enjoy our waters, whether that be inland or our beaches,” he said.
Last summer, Tasmanian surf lifesavers responded to more than 2,400 incidents, ranging from rescues to first aid treatments.
They logged more than 23,000 patrol hours across the state.
While drowning numbers fell last season, SLST hopes to see them drop even further this summer.
According to Royal Life Saving Australia, there were eight drowning deaths in Tasmania between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025.
The state’s drowning rate of 1.39 per 100,000 people decreased by 16% compared with the 10-year average.
Almost two-thirds (63%) of drowning deaths occurred among people aged 55 and over, with the highest crude rate recorded in the 65–74 age group (4.37 deaths per 100,000), followed by those aged 55–64 (2.66 per 100,000).
In 2024-25, most drowning deaths in Tasmania occurred in rivers and creeks (38%), followed by beaches (25%).
Around 3,000 volunteers will support beach safety operations over the coming months.
The red and yellow flags go up at patrolled beaches statewide from this weekend.
