Articles | Volume 22, issue 3
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-22-909-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-22-909-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
17 Mar 2022
Research article |
| 17 Mar 2022
| 17 Mar 2022
Characteristics and beach safety knowledge of beachgoers on unpatrolled surf beaches in Australia
Lea Uebelhoer
School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, 2052, Australia
UNSW Beach Safety Research Group, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, 2052, Australia
William Koon
School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, 2052, Australia
UNSW Beach Safety Research Group, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, 2052, Australia
Mitchell D. Harley
Water Research Laboratory, School of Civil and Environmental
Engineering, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, 2052, Australia
UNSW Beach Safety Research Group, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, 2052, Australia
Jasmin C. Lawes
School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, 2052, Australia
Surf Life Saving Australia, Sydney, 2026, Australia
UNSW Beach Safety Research Group, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, 2052, Australia
School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, 2052, Australia
UNSW Beach Safety Research Group, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, 2052, Australia
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Total article views: 4,101 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
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Total article views: 804 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
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Cited
21 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Investigating beachgoer’s perception of coastal bathing risks in southwest France J. Dehez et al. 10.1007/s11069-024-06715-w
- Evaluating the impact of the beach lifeguard service: a case study of beachgoers in Victoria, Australia H. Calverley et al. 10.47389/40.1.15
- Engaging beachgoers for drowning prevention: the spillover effects on non-participants P. Kamstra et al. 10.1080/17477891.2023.2189088
- Improving coastal safety for international visitors to Australia W. Koon et al. 10.1016/j.puhip.2025.100613
- The unexplored role of surfers in drowning prevention: Aotearoa, New Zealand as a case study J. Mead et al. 10.1080/17477891.2023.2239223
- Quantifying rip current-related drowning deaths and exposure on Australian beaches S. Kelly et al. 10.1136/ip-2024-045565
- What is a shore dump?: Exploring Australian university students’ beach safety knowledge and their perceptions of Australian beach safety signage M. Shibata et al. 10.1016/j.ssci.2023.106366
- Navigating tourism potential and environmental limits: A Suitability analysis of Pal beach (Indonesia) as an emerging coastal recreational destination T. Kontu et al. 10.5937/turizam28-49650
- Public holidays, school holidays, and long weekends: Effects on drowning rates in New South Wales E. Mead et al. 10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100212
- The safety actions of surfers in Victoria, Australia: Assessing the impact of water safety and first aid training B. Cardak et al. 10.1016/j.ssci.2025.106914
- Developing a Comprehensive Index for Beaches to Enhance Sustainability and Visitor Experience Through Holistic Monitoring E. Basurto-Cedeno et al. 10.3390/su17073049
- Evaluating the effectiveness of a science-based community beach safety intervention: The Science of the Surf (SOS) presentation R. Brander et al. 10.1016/j.csr.2022.104722
- Preliminary Investigation and Analysis of Beachgoers’ Awareness of Rip Currents in South China D. Zhu et al. 10.3390/ijerph20054471
- Perception of beach safety at a destination beach on the Great Lakes C. Houser & A. Smith 10.1111/cag.12896
- Epidemiology of board-related incidents in the Portuguese National Maritime Authority’s Jurisdiction (2020-2023): a cross-sectional study M. Ourique et al. 10.1016/j.injury.2025.112656
- Policies and actions to support surfers in drowning prevention: insight from Aotearoa New Zealand L. Le Dé & J. Mead 10.1108/DPM-08-2024-0226
- Beach user competencies in rip current identification using videos and photographs on a New Zealand surf beach R. Irvine et al. 10.1007/s11069-024-07089-9
- Mortality trends and the impact of exposure on Australian coastal drowning deaths, 2004–2021 W. Koon et al. 10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100034
- A 15-year partnership between UK coastal scientists and the international beach lifeguard community T. Scott et al. 10.1016/j.csr.2022.104732
- Assessing Rip Current Occurrences at Featureless Beaches Using Boussinesq Modeling Y. Liu et al. 10.3390/jmse13061139
- Evaluating public awareness and perceptions of emergency response beacons on beaches of New South Wales, Australia O. Pastore et al. 10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2025.107553
21 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Investigating beachgoer’s perception of coastal bathing risks in southwest France J. Dehez et al. 10.1007/s11069-024-06715-w
- Evaluating the impact of the beach lifeguard service: a case study of beachgoers in Victoria, Australia H. Calverley et al. 10.47389/40.1.15
- Engaging beachgoers for drowning prevention: the spillover effects on non-participants P. Kamstra et al. 10.1080/17477891.2023.2189088
- Improving coastal safety for international visitors to Australia W. Koon et al. 10.1016/j.puhip.2025.100613
- The unexplored role of surfers in drowning prevention: Aotearoa, New Zealand as a case study J. Mead et al. 10.1080/17477891.2023.2239223
- Quantifying rip current-related drowning deaths and exposure on Australian beaches S. Kelly et al. 10.1136/ip-2024-045565
- What is a shore dump?: Exploring Australian university students’ beach safety knowledge and their perceptions of Australian beach safety signage M. Shibata et al. 10.1016/j.ssci.2023.106366
- Navigating tourism potential and environmental limits: A Suitability analysis of Pal beach (Indonesia) as an emerging coastal recreational destination T. Kontu et al. 10.5937/turizam28-49650
- Public holidays, school holidays, and long weekends: Effects on drowning rates in New South Wales E. Mead et al. 10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100212
- The safety actions of surfers in Victoria, Australia: Assessing the impact of water safety and first aid training B. Cardak et al. 10.1016/j.ssci.2025.106914
- Developing a Comprehensive Index for Beaches to Enhance Sustainability and Visitor Experience Through Holistic Monitoring E. Basurto-Cedeno et al. 10.3390/su17073049
- Evaluating the effectiveness of a science-based community beach safety intervention: The Science of the Surf (SOS) presentation R. Brander et al. 10.1016/j.csr.2022.104722
- Preliminary Investigation and Analysis of Beachgoers’ Awareness of Rip Currents in South China D. Zhu et al. 10.3390/ijerph20054471
- Perception of beach safety at a destination beach on the Great Lakes C. Houser & A. Smith 10.1111/cag.12896
- Epidemiology of board-related incidents in the Portuguese National Maritime Authority’s Jurisdiction (2020-2023): a cross-sectional study M. Ourique et al. 10.1016/j.injury.2025.112656
- Policies and actions to support surfers in drowning prevention: insight from Aotearoa New Zealand L. Le Dé & J. Mead 10.1108/DPM-08-2024-0226
- Beach user competencies in rip current identification using videos and photographs on a New Zealand surf beach R. Irvine et al. 10.1007/s11069-024-07089-9
- Mortality trends and the impact of exposure on Australian coastal drowning deaths, 2004–2021 W. Koon et al. 10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100034
- A 15-year partnership between UK coastal scientists and the international beach lifeguard community T. Scott et al. 10.1016/j.csr.2022.104732
- Assessing Rip Current Occurrences at Featureless Beaches Using Boussinesq Modeling Y. Liu et al. 10.3390/jmse13061139
- Evaluating public awareness and perceptions of emergency response beacons on beaches of New South Wales, Australia O. Pastore et al. 10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2025.107553
Latest update: 31 Oct 2025
Short summary
Beachgoers at unpatrolled Australian beaches were surveyed to gain an understanding of their demographics, beach safety knowledge, and behaviour. Most visited unpatrolled beaches out of convenience and because they wanted to visit a quiet location. Despite being infrequent beachgoers, with poor swimming and hazard identification skills, most intended to enter the water. Authorities should go beyond the
swim between the flagssafety message, as people will always swim at unpatrolled beaches.
Beachgoers at unpatrolled Australian beaches were surveyed to gain an understanding of their...
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