LIFEGUARDS will extend their beach patrol hours today (Friday January 18), to provide swimmers additional time to cool off safely.

Hours at 9 of Wollongong’s 17 patrolled beaches will be increased, with flags up until 7pm at Stanwell Park, Austinmer, Thirroul, Bulli and Corrimal. The flags will go down at Sandon Point at 6pm.

Wollongong Council’s Beach Services Manager, Paul Dreghorn said while the Illawarra has escaped the worst of the heatwave conditions in comparison with the rest of the state, the region remains hot and lifeguards will work extra hours to enable people cool off safely in the surf.

“That’s why we’ve asked our lifeguards to remain on duty beyond the usual flags down time to give people the chance for a swim,” he said.

“We just ask people to visit one of the nine beaches with additional hours and to remember if there are no flags up, then there’s no swim.’’

The beaches with additional hours are:

Stanwell Park – to 7pm

Austinmer – to 7pm

Thirroul – to 7pm

Bulli – to 7pm

Corrimal – to 7pm

Nth Gong – to 7pm

City Beach – to 7pm

Pt Kembla – to 7pm

Sandon Point – to 6pm