Please swim between the flags

That's the deal. You swim between the flags when the surf life guard is on duty and they will come to your aid, should you get into strife.

So here these volunteers sit, waiting for the rain soaked holiday makers to return to the beach for a swim.

I and my younger 2 did make the mad dash from our holiday beach house to the beach for a swim. Once we were in the water, the rain was of no further consequence. I do need to point out that everyone else on the beach was fully dressed in waterproofs!
I suspect that the business traders on Philip Island love a brief spot of wet weather. All the shops and cafes were chokers with damp tourists!