COMPLACENCY increasingly costs older men their lives at the beach.
Statistics from Surf Lifesaving Queensland indicate five of the 11 beach-related drownings in Queensland in the past year were Australian-born men aged over 50.
Two of those were aged over 65.
A broader Royal Life Saving report confirms a 9 per cent increase over 10 years of men aged over 65 losing their lives in Australian waterways, most commonly on beaches or in rivers and creeks.
“Sadly, it’s a misconception that surf drownings are young men being macho or international visitors not knowing beach safety,” Surf Lifesaving Queensland’s coastal safety officer Chantel Fife told The Senior.
“Rather, we’re seeing too many mature Australian-born men with a ‘she’ll be right’ attitude, who’ve grown up with messages about swimming between the flags on patrolled beaches, who forget that as we age, we do change and may not be as strong or as fit or as skilful swimming as perhaps 30 years earlier.”
Ms Fife said all 11 beach-related drownings had happened away from flagged, patrolled areas. About one in three occurred before 8am when beach-goers went for an early dip.
She urged older people to “take a reality check” on their beach abilities.
“How long is it since you actually swam or caught a wave? When a big set of waves comes and knocks you over, when you lose footing to shifting sand, it can be easy to panic.
“Of course, we’d prefer that beach-goers all swim between the flags during patrolled hours.
“We know, however, that older people particularly like to get up and walk and swim early, before patrols start. Short of stopping that, I urge seniors to at least make themselves known to patrol members who may be on the beach practising or preparing for the day’s patrol.
“If you’re with the grandchildren, set the beach safety example at the very least.”
Surf Lifesaving Queensland has identified six beach locations as high risk this summer, based on the latest data of beach-related drownings, surf rescues, preventative actions and other incidents:
- Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast
- Green Island, North Queensland
- Marina Mirage to Southport Spit, Gold Coast
- Discovery Beach to Point Arkwright, Sunshine Coast
- FraserIsland (ocean side), WideBay
- Noosa River to Rainbow Beach surf tower, Sunshine Coast
Royal Life Saving runs a water safety and lifesaving skills program for older people called the Grey Medallion. It encourages confidence and safety in and around the water and includes correct swimming techniques, water safety, personal safety, rescue and resuscitation skills. Details, 07 3823-2423.
Wise words from channel swimmer
The oldest Queenslander to successfully swim the English Channel, Chris Shapland, can’t stress enough the importance of being confident and competent in the water.
“The secret to swimming well is in the technique,” Mr Shapland said.
“Staying totally relaxed is the key to really enjoying the water and, most importantly, being confident in your technique increases greatly your chances of avoiding panicking if you find yourself in a life or death struggle in the water.
“I know because I have been in some very big seas and have felt the cold hand of panic creeping up my spine.”
Mr Shapland, 69, from the SunshineCoast, took 161⁄2 hours to complete his 33km channel challenge a few weeks ago
The former national swimming and lifesaving champion behind the Shapland Swim Schools group in southern Queensland had set his sights on the crossing in 2014, training in his pool fitted with a pump to simulate the channel’s currents and competing in open water events in the lead-up.
“Crossing the channel was certainly an endurance PB (personal best) to some degree physically but more mental and a swim I will never forget,” he said.
“It certainly was a great feeling when my hand touched the pebbles on the beach in France and I finally stood up clear of the water line and put my hands in the air.”