FOR the first time since the 1940s, lifeguards will patrol Lake Parramatta as locals are encouraged to cool off closer to home this summer.

Once home to the largest inland freshwater lifesaving club in Australia, it has been known as an unofficial swimming spot for years.

media_camera Lake Parramatta is about 2km north of the CBD in Lake Parramatta Reserve.

On Saturday, it will officially become a designated swimming spot, with an area marked out with buoys to take a dip and lifeguards present between 9am and 5pm on weekends and public holidays until mid-March.

The Australian Lifeguard Service, the largest provider of professional beach lifeguards, has been contracted by Parramatta Council to run services at the lake.

media_camera Swimmers can now take the plunge in Lake Parramatta, just like their counterparts did in the late 1930s.

media_camera Members of the Lake Parramatta Life Saving Amateurs Swim Club in 1938.

ALS manager Brent Man­ieri said it was the first time the organisation had provided lifeguard services this far from the coast.

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“We’re excited about bringing our expertise and skills to an inland location and our lifeguards are looking forward to protecting the people of Parramatta in the same way we keep people safe on the beaches,” Mr Man­ieri said.

“Many of the same safety precautions you need to take at the beach also apply to inland waterways,” he said.

media_camera Summer, 3, and Javinder, 6, enjoy the natural surrounds at Lake Parramatta. Picture: Phil Rogers

The lifeguards will use the same equipment and expertise seen at the beach, including rescue boards and tubes. They can also provide first aid and advanced resuscitation techniques.

Locals are already getting excited about the idea of having a safe natural swimming spot closer to home.

Mother-of-three Veronica Roelink, from Northmead, said her family normally made the trip to Balmoral Beach in summer to go swimming, leaving early in the morning to avoid traffic.

media_camera The lake is also popular with kayakers. Picture: Phil Rogers.

“It will be a lot of fun, the kids will absolutely love it,” she said of plans for the supervised swimming area.

Mrs Roelink said the fact the lake was still and calm would also be great for young kids.

“We often come down to have a bit of nature in our lives … to be able to have a little swimming would be wonderful,” she said.

Parramatta Lord Mayor Scott Lloyd said there was a “buzz in the community” around the plan to make the lake “swimmable” again.

media_camera Lifeguards will be stationed at Lake Parramatta on weekends and public holidays this summer. Picture: Phil Rogers.

Cr Lloyd said a diver was due to search the lake bed this week to make sure it was safe for swimming and signage was also being erected at the reserve.

media_camera The placid lake makes it great for families with young children like Javinder 6, Roelink, 3 and Ruben Roelink, 1.

“Instead of swimming bet­ween the flags, it will be swimming between the buoys in the area, which is looked after,” he said.

Swimming will be officially launched on Saturday from 10am to noon with a free sausage sizzle, face painting and a balloonist.

Lake Parramatta Reserve is located about two kilometres from the Parramatta CBD.

Visitors can enter the reserve from Lackey Street via Bourke Street, North Parramatta.

Tips for safe swimming

● Always enter the water slowly, feet first and never dive in

● Water can be deeper than you think due to steep drop-offs

● If you require assistance, stay calm, float and raise your arm to attract attention

● Observe safety signs and seek advice from lifeguards

● Never enter the water if you have been drinking alcohol or are under the influence of drugs

●Keep a close eye on small children and others who may be less capable in the water