<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The iconic red and yellow flags have returned to </span><a href="http://www.9news.com.au/gold-coast" rel="" target="" title="Gold Coast"><span>Gold Coast</span></a><span> beaches, signalling the beginning of the surf life saving patrol season.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Almost 3000 volunteers are set to patrol the coastline from Coolangatta to Southport every weekend and public holiday until May.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This year, however, lifesavers are highlighting new danger spots resulting from coastal erosion caused by Tropical Cyclone Alfred.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/earthquake-strikes-off-russia-coast-tsunami-warnings/97051698-3940-4e03-9870-587bb90ee815" target="_blank"><strong><span>Tsunami warnings after huge Russian quake</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Down south, in that bay, you know, those beaches are a lot more protected from the waves and also currents," SLSQ Gold Coast operations manager Nathan Fife said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We want people to enjoy the beautiful beaches and we want them to go home with their family."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The patrol season coincides with the September school holidays, a period when tens of thousands of tourists are expected to visit Gold Coast beaches.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/lifesaver-patrols-resume-amidst-coastal-changes-on-the-gold-coast-queensland-news/6b212705-4de6-4ccf-8789-250d5cd81ffd" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Surf Life Saving Queensland is implementing increased surveillance measures to ensure public safety.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We've got the Westpac helicopter doing extra patrols, we've got our drones out there, doing surveillance patrols and also our volunteer lifesavers, you know, they'll be out on jet skis, they'll be out in ATVs roving the beach and making sure people are safe," Fife said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Last year, Gold Coast lifesavers rescued over 500 people.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Despite these efforts, six lives were lost in the surf.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>According to Surf Life Saving Queensland, 60 per cent of those drownings were 100m or more outside flagged areas.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We see Mother Nature changes and you can be swept out in two seconds, so please look out for each other and only swim between those red and yellow flags."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>This article was produced with the assistance of</span></em><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/technology/9express/16480c33-636a-461f-9c4f-d0e2522c722a"><em><span>9ExPress</span></em></a><em><span>.</span></em></div></div>