Why do Australians swim between the flags?
Australians swim between the red and yellow flags because these mark the safest part of a patrolled beach, where lifesavers and lifeguards are watching. The flags are placed away from rips and other hazards.
Surf lifesavers set up the flags each day after checking conditions. They choose an area with the safest waves and fewest currents, and they move the flags if conditions change.
Rip currents are strong channels of water that flow out from the shore. They are the biggest hazard on Australian beaches and can drag swimmers out to sea quickly. Rips often look like calmer, darker water between breaking waves.
Surf lifesaving tradition
Volunteer surf lifesaving clubs are an important part of Australian beach culture. The first clubs formed in the early 1900s at beaches in Sydney, including Bondi.
Today, Surf Life Saving Australia has tens of thousands of volunteer members who patrol beaches on weekends and holidays. Paid lifeguards employed by councils also patrol many beaches.
If you get caught in a rip, the advice is to stay calm, float and raise an arm to signal for help. Swimmers can also try swimming parallel to the beach to escape the current.
Did You Know?
The red and yellow colors of surf lifesavers are among the most recognized symbols in Australia.