Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) is urging Queenslanders to enjoy the state’s beaches this summer, but to make safety a priority and always swim between the red and yellow flags as the Queensland 2026/27 patrolling season gets underway this weekend.

Almost 10,000 volunteer lifesavers from 58 Queensland surf lifesaving clubs will be on Queensland’s beaches every weekend and public holidays throughout summer, with the first weekend expected to be particularly busy as it coincides with the start of the Queensland two-week school holiday break.

In the 2025/26 season, SLSQ lifesavers and lifeguards performed 2,774 rescues and more than 618,563 preventative actions, with almost 23 million beach visitors across the state.

Sadly, there were 19 beach-related drownings and 26 overall coastal drownings in Queensland across the 2025/26 Season. Seventy-nine percent of the beach related drownings occurred more than 100 metres away from the flagged patrol areas, highlighting the continued risk faced by people who choose to swim away from supervised areas.

The data also highlights a concerning trend among older beachgoers, with people aged 40–69 years accounting for 58 percent of drownings, while people in their 60s alone accounted for 28 percent. The average age of drowning victims was 57 years.

Of those who drowned, 46 percent were swimming or wading, while rip currents or possible rip-related conditions were identified as a contributing factor in 12 deaths, representing 48 percent of all fatalities.

Pleasingly, children under the age of 12 saw a reduction in rescues, accounting for 14 percent of rescues, while males continued to be disproportionately represented accounting for 74% of beach related deaths.

SLSQ CEO Damien Marangon said the number of drownings remained a significant concern, particularly in regional and remote areas where beachgoers can find themselves swimming in unsupervised environments.

“We want Queenslanders to get out and enjoy our beaches this summer, but we also want them to make it home safely,” Mr Marangon said.

“The statistics tell us this is not simply a young person’s issue. People aged 40 to 69 accounted for 58 percent of drownings, while people in their 60s alone accounted for 28 percent.

“Almost half of those who drowned were swimming or wading, and rip currents or possible rip-related conditions were identified as a contributing factor in 48 percent of fatalities.

“These figures are a reminder that no matter your age or experience in the water, you need to understand the conditions, know your limits and make safe choices before entering the water.”

Mr Marangon said the location of drownings also reinforced the importance of choosing a patrolled beach.

“We know there are many beautiful and remote locations that holidaymakers and beachgoers love to visit across summer. But the safer place to swim is always between the red and yellow flags at a patrolled beach,” he said.

“Seventy-nine percent of drownings occurred more than 100 metres away from flagged patrol areas. That is a stark reminder that when you move away from lifesaving services, you are also moving away from the people and resources that can respond if something goes wrong.

“These areas are actively monitored by trained lifesavers and lifeguards who are there to watch out for you and your family. Choosing to swim outside those areas can significantly increase the risk.”

Mr Marangon said the season’s rescue figures demonstrated the critical role lifesavers and lifeguards played in preventing incidents from escalating.

“Our volunteers and lifeguards are making a real difference. The Gold Coast recorded the largest increase in rescues, up by 46.9%, while Brisbane increased by 26.7% and North Barrier by 36.7%, showing the value of active surveillance,” he said.

“But we cannot rely on lifesavers alone – beachgoers also need to make safe choices.

“The regional data shows why prevention is so important. Across Queensland, our teams delivered more than 618,000 preventative actions, alongside 2,774 rescues and more than 20,000 first aid treatments.

“Every preventative action is an opportunity to stop an incident before it becomes an emergency.”

While SLSQ continues to strengthen its ability to patrol and respond beyond the flags through its fleet of rescue watercraft, helicopters, drones and coastal safety cameras, Mr Marangon said beachgoers still had a critical role to play.

“We are continuing to strengthen our patrols, rescue capability and technology so our people can respond where they are needed most,” he said.

“The regional results reinforce the importance of having multiple layers of protection – from lifesavers on the beach to drones, helicopters and our State Operations and Communications Centre.

“The State Operations and Communications Centre, located on the Gold Coast, will be well positioned to respond to community needs, including during times of severe weather and disaster.”

Mr Marangon said simple safety decisions could be the difference between a safe day at the beach and a tragedy.

“Our lifesavers are here to help, but if they can’t see you, they can’t save you,” he said.

“By following lifesaver and lifeguard warnings, swimming between the flags and remembering ‘Stop, Look, Stay Alive’, we can all play a role in reducing drownings and keeping Queensland beaches safe this summer.”

SLSQ is reminding everyone of the national SLSA ‘Stop, Look, Stay Alive’ campaign, which encourages beachgoers to take simple but potentially lifesaving steps before entering the water:

STOP: Stop and think before you enter the water. Is it patrolled? Are there red and yellow flags?

LOOK: Look for signs of rips, currents or hazards, and check safety signage.

STAY ALIVE: Stay safe by staying within your limits, swimming between the flags and following the directions of lifesavers and lifeguards.

Mr Marangon said these simple steps could make the difference between a safe day out and a tragedy.

“Every drowning is preventable. The regional statistics show that the need for vigilance does not disappear because you are visiting a different beach or community.

“Stop, Look, Stay Alive, stay between the flags and make the choices that help you and your loved ones come home safely,” he said.

*North Queensland areas north of Mission Beach have been patrolling since March, during the region’s peak coastal swimming season, and will continue their patrols until the end of November.