The City of Stirling has partnered with Perth Glory to promote beach safety after lifeguards carried out a record 226 rescues in January, including 180 on a single day when temperatures reached nearly 40°C. The surge followed 100 rescues in December.
Tragically, the busy summer period saw several drownings, including a 40-year-old man who died after being pulled unresponsive from Mettams Pool on Australia Day. In response, Stirling and Perth Glory launched a video campaign featuring men’s co-captain Adam Taggart and women’s star Naomi Chinnama.
Taggart, a Trigg local, urged beachgoers to respect the ocean and learn basic safety rules. “Always swim at a patrolled beach and follow the advice of lifeguards,” he said. Stirling Mayor Mark Irwin emphasized that situations can turn tragic quickly without precautions, urging families to know basics like swimming between red-and-yellow flags and avoiding alcohol at the beach.
Stirling is the only local government in Western Australia providing year-round beach patrols, focusing on Scarborough and Trigg beaches. Volunteers from local surf life saving clubs also patrol on weekends and public holidays from October to April.
Nationally, 357 drowning deaths occurred in 2024-25, a 27% increase on the 10-year average, with 154 in coastal locations. As of February 11, the summer drowning toll stood at 72, a 24% reduction from last year, but drownings among adults aged 65 and over were 46% higher than the five-year summer average.
Royal Life Saving CEO Dr. Justin Scarr stressed continued caution. “With warm weather expected, we encourage people of all ages to follow simple water safety precautions,” he said.
