The Sydney Traveler

With the mercury rising, the beach is the best place to be in Sydney over summer.  A day out enjoying the sun, surf, and sand is great fun, but there are also a few things tourists should be aware of. Here are my top tips to enjoying the local beaches.

• Always swim at a patrolled beach. If you run into any trouble in the water, you’ll want lifeguards close by.
• All patrolled beaches have a designated swimming area marked with red and yellow flags. Always swim between these flags to stay safe and avoid rips and other hazards.
• If you do get caught in a rip, swim diagonally across it. Stay calm and don’t struggle against it.
• If you get into trouble in the surf raise your arm and wait for the lifeguards to come and help you.
• Always wear a high protection sunscreen. Even on an overcast day, the glare off the water can give you a nasty burn.
• Make sure you cover up. Rash shirts are a great idea when you’re swimming, and you can throw on a T-shirt when you get out of the waves.
• Always wear a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses to protect your eyes.
• You know how your mother always told you not to swim on a full stomach. The same rules apply! Also avoid swimming after drinking alcohol.
• It’s fun to look in rock pools, but never touch the animals that live there. Many are harmless, but you don’t want to risk touching something poisonous like a blue ringed octopus or a stonefish.
• You don’t really have to worry about sharks in Sydney’s beaches, but you might need to think about blue bottles. If you do get stung by these nasty jellyfish make sure you see a lifeguard for treatment. A sting isn’t life threatening, but it does hurt!

Image source: Joe Shlabotnik @ Flickr

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