Surfing in Australia is like snow skiing in Switzerland - nearly everybody enjoys swimming at the beach, and a common sight in summer is the multi-coloured surf teams patrolling our beaches.

They are mostly volunteers, doing a service to many thousands of beach goers every week as the safe swimming conditions can alter in a matter of moments.

These weekend lifesavers constantly watch the tides and wave action for changes in the ocean floor, thus creating dangerous undertow currents or rips Flags are positioned to guide you where to swim safely, when they move the flags, you must follow.

NEVER swim at unpatrolled beaches, just because the water looks so calm and so inviting it may be misleading, unless of course you happen to be a fish.