WHEN Palm Beach resident Bruce Farrow heard commotion on the beach outside his house last week, he knew what was happening all too well.

It was at least the third time in the past two months that swimmers had ended up in strife at the beach off 19th Avenue.

Mr Farrow is now calling for permanent lifeguard patrols at the beach, which is popular with swimmers and surfers.

The 19th Avenue beach is in a 'black spot' area, located between a permanent patrol at Tallebudgera and a seasonal patrol (November to April) further south at Palm Beach.

"There is definitely a need for a permanent lifeguard stationed here because this is happening all too frequently," said Mr Farrow.

"The last time, we (surfers and residents) had to resuscitate a guy and we kept him alive until the ambulance arrived."

That rescue happened on February 9, when a 33-year-old man was saved by surfers and had to be resuscitated.

Mr Farrow said another swimmer was pulled from the water the next day.

Last Monday two 15-year-old boys were rescued by brothers Lee and Gavin Clark, who both had surf lifesaving experience and were at the beach with their kids, with the help of Mr Farrow.

Then five English tourists were rescued on Friday and two people were rescued by board on Saturday.

According to the council, the Gold Coast boasts the largest lifeguard service in Australia.

The city has 37 permanent lifeguards and 120 seasonal staff who patrol 26 beaches year round and 42 beaches during school holidays. There are 39 lifeguard towers.

Chief lifeguard Warren Young said there were a lot of dangerous areas on the Gold Coast but 'budgets were finite'.

"We just have to do the areas where the most need is," he said.