Anyone heading to the beach this Summer are being urged to stay safe by the water.
The red and yellow flags will be up this weekend in areas including Point Lonsdale, Torquay and Ocean Grove for the start of the Life Saving Victoria patrol season.
Cath Greaves from Life Saving Victoria said it was vital to swim between the flags.
“Last year our incredible life savers performed over 1000 rescues,” she said.
“That’s 1000 people that may not have gone home to their families at the end of the day.”
Ms Greaves also urged parents to look out for their children in the water.
“We really do need people to swim the flags, look out for their families, their loved ones – never leave a child unsupervised.
“It’s absolutely imperative that you have your eyes on your children all the time.”
Beachgoers can head to www.beachsafe.org.au or download the Beachsafe app for patrol times and locations.
