Surf Life Saving Australia today released the 2024 National Coastal Safety Report with the new research revealing over the past 12 months there were more than 16 million coastal visitations, 258 coastal deaths, 150 due to drowning (58%) and almost 9,000 rescues which equates to an additional 1,600 lives saved. 

The report highlights that the coastal drowning burden would have been over 1,684 and a further 1,010 critical injuries could have occurred if it wasn’t for the dedication of volunteer surf lifesavers and lifeguards across the country who performed a record 2.4 million preventative actions. 

As more than 45,000 volunteers gear up to patrol Australia’s beaches again this season, the National Coastal Safety Report reveals that 8,857 rescues were performed across the country’s coastline in the last 12 months, as well as more than 2.4 million preventative actions by surf lifesavers and lifeguards to keep beachgoers safe. This was an increase of 29% from last season. 

Surf Life Saving Australia CEO Adam Weir said surf lifesavers are committed to keeping people safe at the beach but urged all Australians to make surf safety a personal priority.  

“We are deeply saddened by the drowning numbers this past year, each one was preventable and one death is one too many,” said Weir. “The numbers are alarming and we encourage everyone to take notice. 

“I am however incredibly proud of the work of our volunteer surf lifesavers across the country who performed a record number of preventative actions which has ensured this drowning number was not significantly higher. Never before have our surf lifesavers been asked to do so much. Our research shows that our efforts represent a $9.5 billion dollar value to the community. 

“As the Australian population continues to grow, more and more people are visiting the coast and swimming away from Surf Life Saving services remains a major risk. Drowning incidents along our beaches are extending beyond the traditional holiday periods with summer extending well into March with drowning incidents 64% above average.  

“We want to ensure everyone can enjoy our coastline safely and return home to loved ones,” added Weir. “Our message remains simple: swim at patrolled locations, know your limits and be aware of your actions and decisions around the water”. 

The National Coastal Safety Report 2024 insights include: 

• Males were 6.5 times more likely to drown than females, accounting for 86% of the coastal drowning burden 

• Swimming and wading drowning deaths increased by 49% from the 10-year average. 

• Beaches were the leading drowning location with 1 in 3 beach drowning deaths due to rip currents, which remain the number one coastal hazard 

• Coastal drowning deaths were 64% higher in February and March, and 24% above average in Winter.  

• 16.6 million Australians visited the coast in the last 12 months 

• 8,857 rescues and 2.4 million preventative actions were performed across the Australian coastline in the past 12 months 

Read the report here. 

LIFESAVING, COASTAL DROWNING & FATALITY STATISTICS 2023/24 

NATIONAL 

• No. patrolling members – 45,236 

• No. of rescues – 8, 857 

• No. of preventative actions – 2, 482, 013 

• No. of first aid treatments – 49, 331 

• Volunteer patrol hours – 1,462,533 

• Value to community – $9.5+ billion  

• No. of coastal deaths – 258 coastal deaths, including 150 due to drowning (58%) 

• No. of coastal drowning deaths – 150, a 22% increase from last year (n=123), and a 18% increase from the 10-year average of (n=127). 

• High drowning risk groups – 21% 40–49 year olds, 10% 20–24 year olds, 86% male 

• Where drowning deaths occurred – 69% >1km from Surf Life Saving services 

• Coastal drowning occurred mostly while swimming/wading (41%), followed by boating (11%), then snorkelling and falls (7% each). 

QUEENSLAND 

• No. of patrolling members – 9,072 

• No. of rescues – 2,633 

• Five year Beach rescue demographics – 587 were children (0-12 years), 486 young adults (13-17), 1560 Adults (18+ years), males are 1.5x more likely to be rescued than females 

• No. of preventative actions – 787,366 

• No. of first aid treatments – 25,106 

• Volunteer patrol hours – 356,662 

• Value to community – $2.9+ billion 

• No. of coastal deaths – 47, 23 due to drowning (49%) 

• No. of coastal drowning deaths – 23, a 15% decrease from last year and the 10-year average (n = 27). 

• No. of beach related drowning deaths – 8 beach-related drowning deaths in 2023/24, the lowest in five years. 

• High-risk beach drowning groups – 52% Australian born, only 10% were short-term visitors 

• High drowning risk groups – 22% 40-49 year olds and 35% 6-69 year olds, 87% males 

• Where drowning deaths occurred  48% offshore, 35% beaches, 70% >1km from Surf Life Saving services 
• When drowning deaths occurred – 57% occurred during summer, 26% spring 
• Coastal drowning deaths occurred mostly while swimming/wading (35%), followed by boating (22%), then snorkelling (17%).