Surf Life Saving Australia has released the National Coastal Safety Report for 2025, revealing a tragic rise in coastal drowning deaths across the nation, with older Australians emerging as the group most at risk.

In the past year, 154 lives were lost to drowning on Australia’s coast, the highest number recorded, accounting for 43% of all national drowning deaths.

Alarmingly, every incident occurred outside of the red and yellow flags, patrol times, or at unpatrolled locations, highlighting the ongoing dangers of swimming, surfing, or recreating in unsupervised coastal areas.

The report found that more than half (55%) were aged 55 years or older, with one in four coastal drowning deaths among 60–69-year-olds.

Last season, surf lifesaving services completed more than two million preventative actions, performed more than 8200 rescues, contributing an estimated $9 billion in value to the community.

Without the interventions of our surf lifesavers and lifeguards, there would have been at least an additional 1500 coastal drowning deaths last year alone.

To help address this growing concern, Surf Life Saving Australia is calling on older Australians to get involved in the Silver Salties program, a national initiative designed to get older Australians engaged with their local Surf Life Saving Clubs.

Silver Salties encourages older adults to stay active, connected, and confident around the water through inclusive and enjoyable physical activities.

Programs can include traditional surf lifesaving skills, gentle beach fitness, swimming, walking, yoga, or other recreational pursuits delivered at the beach, pool, clubhouse, or nearby park.

New South Wales

Patrolling members – 21,603

Rescues – 3,494

Preventative actions – 1,087,710

First aid treatments – 24,944

Volunteer patrol hours – 681,922

Value to community – $4.3+ billion

There were 52 coastal drowning deaths recorded in NSW in 2024/25, which was a 15% decrease from last year but 13% above the 10-year average.

All coastal drowning deaths occurred at unpatrolled locations, outside patrol hours, or away from the red and yellow flags.

Males accounted for 88% of coastal drowning deaths.

Individuals aged 55 and over made up 44% of NSW coastal drowning fatalities.