The Labour Day Long Weekend marked the end of Queensland Surf Life Saving’s 2025/26 volunteer patrol season for five out of the six regions across the state, with the statistics showing that lifesavers across the state continue to go above and beyond to keep beachgoers safe.

Over the 2025/2026 season, surf lifesavers and SLSQ lifeguard services in North Barrier, Wide Bay Capricorn, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and the Gold Coast performed 2760 rescues, an increase of 405 on last season.

Matt Thompson, General Manager Emergency Management and Public Safety said the efforts of volunteer surf life saving members did not go unnoticed.

“It has been a busy season with our volunteers and SLSQ contracted lifeguard services keeping almost 21,774,543 million beachgoers safe, performing 2760 rescues, up from 2355 during the 24/25 season and 19406 first aid treatments within the seven month period. We are grateful for their ongoing commitment and service to their communities.”

“It’s encouraging to see a reduction in drowning numbers compared to last season, but every life lost is one too many. The increase in rescues, particularly outside of the flags, shows just how critical our lifesavers’ and lifeguards vigilance and quick response continue to be.”

“As patrol seasons change across the state, it’s important for the public to be aware that not all beaches are actively monitored year-round. Exercise extra caution, particularly in unpatrolled areas.”

The number of first aid treatments, 19406 down from 35142 last season are lower in part due to a significant influx of blue bottle jellyfish last summer and preventative treatments were also slightly reduced 571,586 down from 617,427.

“North Queensland will continue to patrol throughout the cooler months with our volunteer lifesavers in the five other regions to return to the beaches in September,” Thompson said.

“Beachgoers can also still find several patrolled locations that operate all year-round across areas of the Sunshine and Gold Coasts, so check conditions and plan to go to a patrolled location wherever possible”.

2025 / 2026 Summer Patrol Season Statistics: (July – April)

Media Note: Totals reflect both volunteer lifesavers and SLSQ lifeguard services in most regions. Gold Coast only includes volunteer patrols with lifeguards managed by City of Gold Coast.

Queensland Statewide Numbers 
Total Rescues – 2760
Total Preventative Actions – 571,586
First Aid Treatments – 19406
Coastal Drownings – 25 (v 31 in 24/25 season)
Number of visitors to Queensland beaches – 21,774,543

Regional Breakdown 

Gold Coast *Volunteer patrols only
Total Rescues – 585
Total Preventative Actions –  29,930
First Aid Treatments – 3013
Beach related drownings – 32% of the State total occurred within the Gold Coast Region
Number of visitors to Gold Coast beaches – 2,089,973

Sunshine Coast 
Total Rescues – 1047
Total Preventative Actions – 157,259
First Aid Treatments – 8386
Beach related drownings – 37% of the State total occurred within the Sunshine Coast Region
Number of visitors to Sunshine Coast beaches – 11,110,817

Brisbane
Total Rescues – 758
Total Preventative Actions – 163,437
First Aid Treatments – 2624
Beach related drownings – 11% of the State total occurred within the Brisbane Region
Number of visitors to Brisbane beaches – 5,000,660

Wide Bay Capricorn 
Total Rescues – 19
Total Preventative Actions – 5,055
First Aid Treatments – 472
Beach related drownings – 11% of the State total occurred within the WBC Region
Number of visitors to WBC beaches – 194,039

North Barrier 
Total Rescues – 40
Total Preventative Actions – 88,197
First Aid Treatments – 1543
Beach related drownings – 5% of the State total occurred within the North Barrier Region
Number of visitors to North Barrier beaches – 902,769

North Queensland 
Total Rescues – 59
Total Preventative Actions – 97,579
First Aid Treatments – 2653
Beach related drownings – 5% of the State total occurred within the North Barrier Region
Number of visitors to NQ beaches – 146,6975