Volunteers from the nine clubs in the South Coast Branch from Warilla-Barrack Point in the north and Mollymook in the south, patrolled 11 beaches over the busy December 25 to January 4 period.

A time in the Shoalhaven when the local population swells almost three fold due to the huge number of tourists visiting the region.

There was one tragedy in the region on Christmas Day, when a 46-year-old male Korean national, was found unconscious in the water at the eastern end of Lake Conjola while snorkelling and couldn't be revived.

South Coast Branch president Steve Jones said the hot conditions brought large numbers of people to the beaches.

“We had 48 surf rescues over that period,” Mr Jones said.

“These stats only relate to the surf lifesaver volunteer patrols on the Christmas, New Year public holidays and Saturday and Sundays when the volunteers were on patrol.”

Members undertook 110 first aid treatments, which included a number of significant injuries - four fractures, two dislocated shoulders, a spinal Injury and two major laceration wounds.

Volunteers also treated a stingray barb strike injury at Mollymook Beach on December 30 and another at Tilbury Cove at Culburra Beach on January 1.

“All received initial first aid treatment by volunteer surf lifesavers,” Mr Jones said  “and seven were transported to hospital by ambulance for further treatment.

“Members undertook 660 preventative actions.”

Mr Jones said beach attendances over the period totalled 80,055, singling out Mollymook Surf Lifesaving Club which patrols three beaches, Mollymook South, Mollymook North and Narrawallee during the peak holiday period, where the attendance for the three beaches was 37,632 people.

“In recent years more than 600,000 visitors stay in the Shoalhaven over the holiday period,” he said.

“A large number of Canberran’s are now visiting the coast north of Batemans Bay between Culburra Beach, Jervis Bay/Huskisson/Vincentia and Milton/Ulladulla and Bawley Point/Kioloa.”

Patrols were also carried out by Shellharbour, Kiama Downs, Kiama, Gerringong, Shoalhaven Heads, Nowra-Culburra and Sussex Inlet club members.

These stats do not include beaches that have lifeguards who undertake permanent patrols Monday to Friday.