Summer is here, it's time to whip out the sunscreen and surfboards, and head for the beach for some fun in the sun.

But the City of Cape Town and Lifesaving Western Province (LWP) have encouraged all beachgoers to enjoy the city's beautiful beaches in a responsible way, warning that the coast can sometimes be treacherous.

The partnership between the city and LWP will ensure that 115 lifeguards will voluntarily patrol the beaches daily during the school holidays.

Before and after the peak season, lifeguards will be on duty at the weekends and on public holidays between 10am and 6pm, the city said in a statement.

The patrols started in November 1, and will continue until April 11.

During the 2008/09 summer season lifeguards rescued more than 500 people on Cape Town's beaches, and provided first aid treatment to about 600.

Gerhard Ras, Mayco member for community services, said people should view the beaches as a "wonderful privilege", and urged them to "co-operate to make such amenities safe and enjoyable to all users".

People should observe all the basic rules to assure their own safety, and that of others.

These included swimming only where lifeguards were on duty, in the bathing area demarcated by red and yellow flags, and for parents to accompany young children.

"Bathing only" restrictions should be observed and no one should ever swim after drinking alcohol. Anyone finding themselves in difficulty in the water should remain calm, and wave both arms above their heads.

The city said lifeguards would be on duty at Big Bay, Milnerton, Clifton, Camps Bay, Llandudno, Fish Hoek,Clovelly, Danger Beach, Muizenberg, Sunrise Beach, Sonwabe, Strandfontein, Bluewaters, Mnandi, Monwabisi, Macassar, Strand and Kogelbay.

Organisations planning trips involving more than 50 people were urged to contact beach managers to ensure lifeguards were on duty.