Bateman has recently taken over the reins of the club, and increasing patrol numbers is his top priority.

"I've just taken over as president and that's the thing I'm going to try and improve," he said.

"It's a good club so I'm not going to come in and start changing everything, but I think we can improve there.

"I think it's possible. I mean, the town has expanded in recent years and we always seem to have a good junior base, so I think with a few changes we can get more people and expand our patrols to keep the beach safer."

This year the club expects to have more than 100 Nippers as well as surf boat crews, an area where the club has been historically strong.

"Last year we had something like 120 Nippers, this year's season starts up on Sunday and we're expecting to have around that many again, and for a smaller town that's a pretty good number.

"We look like having three or four boat crews as well. At the moment we've got an under-23s, an opens and a veterans' crew.

"The opens crew has been built around the Payne brothers for a long time and the veterans has had guys like Mal Dunwoodie, Dave McCallum and Mark Booth involved for a long time. They've been great for the club in competitions as well as being active members."

The club is also preparing for the annual Captain Christie Ocean Swim on January 4.

The 1.8-kilometre swim or paddle from the boat harbour to Werri Beach takes its name from the legend that Captain William Earnest Bartholomew Christie accepted a challenge from a sailor in 1882 to make the swim in return for a bottle of whisky.

"We're in the process of organising the Captain Christie," Bateman said. "We're on the lookout for sponsors and that sort of thing and this year we think we'll be going back to having online registrations through Ocean Swims."

For more information, visit gerringongsurfclub.org.au.