Northern beaches to remain open longer with temperatures expected to soar

BEACHGOERS can avoid the midday heat, and still enjoy a dip tomorrow, with Wollongong City Council’s Lifeguards extending patrol hours on 12 of popular beaches.

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast temperatures in the high 30s for the northern Illawarra tomorrow (Thursday January 23) with a chance of a thunderstorm in the evening and gusty winds.

Flags will be up until 7pm at Stanwell Park, Coledale, Austinmer, Thirroul, Bulli, Woonona, Corrimal, Towradgi, North Wollongong, City and Port Kembla beaches.  They’ll remain up until 6pm at Sandon Point.

Wollongong City Council’s Acting Beach Services Operations Manager Tim Jennett said the weather forecast for Thursday is for some “unpleasant conditions and heat”.

“With heat expected to linger well into the late afternoon, we’re going to keep our beaches open for an extra hour and allow people a longer opportunity to cool off,” he said.

Mr Jennett said people should note which beaches had extended patrol hours, and to stick to patrolled beaches for an after-work dip.

“We’ve extended the hours at 12 of our 17 patrolled beaches so that we can help keep people safe,’’ he said.

“Please, if you’re headed to the beach, swim between the red and yellow flags during patrol hours. Our lifeguards are there to help keep you out of trouble and these flags mark the safest place on the beach for a swim. And, remember, if there are no flags up, then there is no swimming.’’

Mr Jennett said Lifeguards would also provide additional staffing support to Surf Life Saving Illawarra on Australia Day.

“If you’re looking to head to the beach over the long weekend the advice remains the same,’’ he said.

“Stick to swimming between the red and yellow flags and always follow the advice of the Lifeguards or volunteer life savers. We’re here to help keep you safe.’’

The northern beaches with additional hours are:

• Stanwell Park – 9am-7pm
• Coledale – 9am-7pm
• Austinmer – 9am–7pm
• Thirroul – 9am–7pm
• Sandon Point – 10am–6pm
• Bulli – 9am–7pm
• Woonona – 9am–7pm
• Corrimal – 9am–7pm
• Towradgi – 9am–7pm

Donation

YOU can also make a small donation towards the running of The Bulli & Clifton Times and/or the Looking Back websites through Paypal. If you would like to support my work, you can leave a small tip here of $2, or several small tips, just increase the amount as you like. Your generous patronage of my work and research, however small it appears to you, will greatly help me with my continuing costs.

A$2.00