Surf Life Saving WA eyes public rescue equipment at unpatrolled hotspots, as WA faces record-breaking summer

Perth sweltered through its hottest ever start to summer on Monday, with temperatures reaching 38.5C, in what forecasters say could be a sign of things to come.

While beachgoers swarmed to the coast to cool off, those charged with looking after them warned that “too many people” were taking unnecessary risks.

In an effort to avert a tragedy, Surf Life Saving WA is now looking at installing public rescue equipment at unpatrolled hotspots along the coast. Last summer was one of worst on record for drownings and rescues.

Perth’s blistering peak of 38.5C was reached at 1.30pm, beating the previous December 1 record of 37.4C in 1979.

The Bureau of Meteorology said hot easterly winds were responsible for bringing the heat from inland WA.

While maximums are forecast to cool to 30C on Tuesday, 25C on Wednesday and 26C on Thursday, the bureau is predicting an above-average summer for parts of the State.

A BOM spokesperson said temperatures in Perth were forecast to be about eight to 10C above the December monthly average.

There is also an increased chance of unusually high daytime temperatures in the State’s north.

Those looking for reprieve in the evenings could be disappointed, with forecasters predicting an increased chance of “unusually high night-time temperatures” for the north and south west.

Monday’s record comes after an unusually long, wet winter and mild spring.

With the official start of summer on Monday, beach patrols are now up and running across WA. TheSLSWA issued a public warning to after one of the worst summers on record for drownings and rescues.

Thirteen people drowned across the 2024/25 summer, all at unpatrolled coastal locations, while more than 770 rescues were carried out.

SLSWA general manager Chris Peck said the organisation was investigating whether lifesaving equipment could be installed at several unpatrolled coastal locations to prevent drownings.

The public rescue equipment initiative, which could be in place by next summer, follows successful trials in Ballina in NSW and Venus Bay in Victoria, where rescue tubes fitted with alarms and a feature to connect users to emergency services were installed.

“There’s strong intent to see if that could help make a difference. WA has 13,000 km of coastline, we simply can’t be everywhere,” Mr Peck said.

“So, how do we support people at those (unpatrolled) locations to have the best possible chance to go home happy and safe?

“People don’t always want to go to a metropolitan beach, we understand that. We know why they do it, but there has to be heightened awareness when you go into those other places, if you get into trouble, what’s the plan?”

Mr Peck encouraged beachgoers swimming outside of patrolled areas this summer to take their own flotation device, such as a pool noodle, esky or body board, and to never swim alone.

The number of bystander rescues rose over the past 12 months, including several that claimed the lives of good Samaritans, trying to help a swimmer in distress.

“If they’re going to make a decision (to help), perhaps providing them with a flotation device is one way of assisting, because we certainly don’t want another person getting into trouble and drowning at the expense of it,” Mr Peck said.

“We are seeing it more and more in public spaces, access to defibs and first aid, and angel rings at high-risk rock fishing locations.”

Elsewhere around the city on Monday, the mercury soared past 38C including 38.7 in Pearce, 39C at Perth Airport and a stifling 39.4C in the Swan Valley.

Geraldton — which was under the grips of a terrifying bushfire — soared to 40.5C.

Taryn Crofts was among those who sought respite in the ocean on Monday, describing the weather as “swelteringly hot”.

“We decided to get to the beach early because we knew (the temperature) would peak, so we got to the beach around 9.45am,” she said.

On Sunday, Premier Roger Cook urged West Australians to take care this summer.

“The sun will get you, it is hot, and if it doesn’t burn you it will dehydrate you significantly, so take care,” he said.

“And particularly if you’re in and around some of our great water playgrounds, please take care, particularly in the open ocean, because this coastline can be deadly.”