Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW), Media Release, 16 January 2025
With hazardous weather conditions forecast to impact parts of NSW over the coming days, including major Sydney beaches, Surf Life Saving NSW is urging the public to exercise caution when visiting the coastline. ​
It comes after Australian Lifeguard Service (ALS) lifeguards resuscitated a young male at Mona Vale yesterday who was pulled from the water unconscious and not breathing at around 11am.
A warning is currently in place for the Hunter Coast, Sydney Coast, Illawarra Coast and Batemans Coast, with conditions set to be dangerous for rock fishing, boating and swimming.
The hazardous conditions are expected to affect the Mid North Coast from Saturday, with a warning in place for the Macquarie Coast.
The surf is also expected to reach near Highest Astronomical Tide (HAT) levels Friday and Saturday across many locations along the NSW coast, bringing possible nuisance flooding to coastal catchments.
With school holidays still in effect in NSW and warm temperatures being experienced across the state, there may be more visitors to our coastline and conditions will be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, boating, surfing and swimming. People should consider staying out of the water.
SLSNSW CEO Steve Pearce is urging the public to exercise caution if they are visiting the coast.
“We really want to emphasise, particularly after the incidents we have seen over the past few days and weeks, that these conditions can be quite dangerous for rock fishing, boating, surfing and swimming,” he said.
“It’s summer and we all want to spend our time at the beach, but when conditions aren’t favourable, as they’re expected to be for the next few days, it’s really important to understand your limitations and if you absolutely insist on visiting the coastline, I strongly urge you to check BeachSafe.”
ALS lifeguards are on patrol in 18 coastal council regions and over 100 beaches during the week, with volunteer surf lifesavers at 129 locations across NSW on the weekend.
Hazardous surf conditions safety tips
- Avoid rock fishing and water activities on exposed beaches/rock-shelves
- Only swim at patrolled beaches, between the red and yellow flags. See the Beachsafe Website for patrolled locations/times
- Check the official Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) forecast before undertaking rock fishing and water activities
- Boaties should seek advice from Marine Rescue NSW and always wear a lifejacket
- If witnessing an in-water emergency dial Triple Zero (000) – Police.