Lifeguards ready for summer job

It may be the dream summer job but lifeguards James Hearle and Charlie Moir know that, like swimmers, they can ill afford to be complacent on the beach.

The Albany locals began their summer patrolling at their home-town Middleton Beach on a bleak Monday but know the weather will turn for the better and so will the amount of swimmers flocking to the popular beach.

A maximum temperature of 26C has been forecast for Christmas Day and Boxing Day in Albany.

Boxing Day and New Year’s Day are two traditionally busy days at the beach and Mr Moir said it was important that swimmers respected the ever-changing conditions which could catch people unaware.

Mr Moir, who is in his second summer working at the beach, said it was important beachgoers swam between the flags.

Surf Life Saving WA lifesaving officer Simon Peppler said full-time patrols at Middleton Beach were consistently needed in summer.

“Middleton Beach is quite a popular destination with not only locals but with tourists as well so it can get quiet busy,” he said.

The two full-time lifeguards will watch over swimmers on weekdays between 10am-5pm, while the club’s volunteer lifesavers will patrol at weekends and on public holidays.

Lifeguard patrols at Ocean Beach in Deenmark began last Friday.

Denmark Surf Life Saving Club president Jane Kelsbie said the club’s volunteer lifesavers would keep a watchful eye on beachgoers on weekends.