Veteran surfers say fast-rescue capacity isn’t optional as region grows

Veteran Capes surfers say a fast-response rescue service is absolutely crucial and can’t be put in the too-hard basket. The recent death of local surfer Boyd Burkhardt underscored the need for a rescue capacity because lives could be saved if expert watermen and women were equipped properly. Although agencies recently installed a cage with gear at Surfers Point, surfer Steve Wrightson said it was a halfway measure. Old gear left exposed to the elements and not close enough to shore failed to address the increasing number of oceangoers local surfers were saving from rugged waters. Mr Wrightson echoed the comments of others in saying booming tourism and increased promotion of the Margaret River region was seeing more and more people in the water, but they were underskilled and ill-equipped to deal with big waves and were rescued or helped out of the water every week. Surfer Bec Sheedy, who led September’s call for greater action, said Mr Burkhardt’s death was the latest in a string of “heavy incidents”. “I’m happy for sure that the rescue equipment has started, but really we need to get up to speed because we are relying on community rescues with a minimal amount of trained people and the bare minimum of rescue equipment,” she said. “We really need to get on the program and get up to speed so that in an emergency when time, efficiency and a confident rescue skill set could make all the difference.” Ms Sheedy said greater communication with Rivermouth lifeguards — when they were in place — was essential, as was ongoing funding to train regular surfers in heavy water rescue skills. “Many community members are willing to work together to improve the set up, but it needs some dedicated co-ordination and commitment from the Shire and various related organisations and individuals,” she said. Mr Ross said the service should be based at Riflebutts for quick launch. Mr Wrightson said the incoming SLSWA centre in the Margaret River townsite was a missed opportunity to help establish a permanent coastal base for rescues.