Australia has seen a significant rise in drownings at its beaches, with new data revealing a record 150 coastal deaths for the 2023/2024 period.
This alarming increase coincides with a growing number of Australians flocking to the beaches, spurred by more “swim-friendly” days and a general lack of awareness about the dangers of rip currents and unpatrolled areas. According to the Coastal Safety Report, published on Friday, this marks the highest number of drownings since Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) began issuing annual reports 20 years ago.
In addition to the 150 drownings, the report also recorded another 108 deaths from other causes, such as medical incidents, along the coastline. The report highlights that lifeguards performed 8,857 rescues during this period, with more than half occurring in New South Wales. Despite these efforts, every drowning incident happened away from patrolled areas, underscoring the challenges lifeguards face in monitoring and responding to emergencies across Australia’s vast and often remote coastlines.
Adam Weir, CEO of SLSA, emphasized that without these rescue efforts, the number of drownings could have been 1,600 higher, showcasing the vital role lifeguards play in coastal safety.
The report also reveals a troubling trend: the overwhelming majority of drowning victims were men, with 86% of those who drowned being male. Notably, half of the victims were men aged 50 and above. Although foreign tourists accounted for only 7% of the drownings, there is growing concern about the overrepresentation of migrants, who are visiting beaches more frequently but often have less swimming experience. Of the estimated 650 million beach visits last year, about one-third were to unpatrolled locations, which are generally more dangerous.
