Sunshine Coast surf tragedies: Statistics reveal beach fatalities
Treacherous surf, medical conditions and more have played roles in tragedies on the Sunshine Coast, as lifesaving figures weigh up new techniques to safeguard beaches.
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New data has revealed the Sunshine Coast is one of the deadliest areas in Queensland for surf tragedies recording several deaths of the 2021/22 season.
Surf Life Saving Queensland released their Coast Safe Report this month which detailed the horror surf season for the state, focusing on specific council areas such as the Sunshine Coast.
The Sunshine Coast had three victims of drowning over the 2021/2022 seasons, with several more being added to the tally due to medical emergencies in the surf.
More data revealed the Sunshine Coast council area had recorded 20 beach-related drownings in the past 10 years alone.
Maroochydore Surf Club patrol captain Clive Herrald said the rise in these numbers could be attributed to the harsh conditions of the surf last season.
“The conditions were not as good as past years, last season was a lot more treacherous,” Mr Herrald said.
“We had a lot of rain and some big swells due to the repercussions of the floods.”
For Mr Herrald, the biggest thing his lifesavers saw during peak seasons were those who swim outside the flags ending up in rips, causing “disaster”.
The seasoned Maroochydore clubbie said swimmers could follow some simple guidelines to make their beach season a bit safer.
This included swimming in groups, swimming between the flags, being wary where you dive in and being across the swimming conditions reported by lifesavers.
With many lives also being lost in the surf due to medical conditions, Mr Herrald said if swimmers were aware of their known conditions, advising lifeguards never goes astray.
“If you let the patrol know, they can keep eyes on particular people, especially when the beaches get quite busy,” he said.
“Also asking about the conditions and if there were rips as well just to plan ahead, and if you’re in trouble just always put your hand up and wave to those on duty.”
In the detailed report, recommendations were published on how to curb this rising number of tragedies, including beach awareness for those not familiar with the terrain while changing the mindset of those between 20-39 years.
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Other strategies included expanding operational capability of the rescue helicopter to service remote areas north of the Sunshine Coast such as Teewah Beach, and increasing surf life saving membership from the Sunshine Coast to the NSW border.
At the launch of the new patrolling season on September 16, 2022 Surf Life Saving Queensland chief executive Dave Whimpey said his organisation believed even one drowning death was one too many.
“The ocean is unpredictable and while our lifesavers do a remarkable job to keep people safe, we also need beachgoers to understand the inherent risks and listen to our lifesavers,” Mr Whimpey said.
These are some of the lives that have been lost in the past few seasons on the Sunshine Coast due to drownings or beach-related medical emergencies.
Travis Davis
Capalaba man Travis Davis, 20, tragically lost his life after on December 4, 2021 after being swept out to see at Shelly Beach in Caloundra.
Mr Davis’ body was found 4m below the surface of the water on December 5, 2021 after water police and life guards scoured the coastline looking the young man.
Jill Covitz
A beloved partner, best friend and Sydney event producer’s tragic holiday death left family and friends shattered after she lost her life in the surf in the Noosa region.
Jill Covitz, 52, had been swimming at Marcus Beach, south of Noosa Heads, on January 25, 2022 when she was found unresponsive in the water.
Surf Life Saving Queensland’s Trent Robinson said surfers brought the Five Docks woman to shore and performed CPR until paramedics arrived and continued treatment but sadly she was not able to be saved.
Lindsay Crofton
Coolum Beach man Lindsay Alan Crofton, 63, was swimming at the main beach along David Low Way about 9.30am on Father’s Day, September 4, 2022 when he was pulled from the surf by his mates.
Lifeguards worked on Mr Crofton for more than 45 minutes while shocked onlookers at Coolum Beach watched on hoping they could save the popular clubbie’s life.
A Queensland Police spokesman said he sadly died at the scene.
It was understood Mr Crofton’s death was a result of a medical incident.
Alex Donaldson
Shattered family and friends are mourning the sudden loss of a man they say was the “most loyal” who died after a tragedy at a popular Sunshine Coast beach.
Kuluin man Alex Donaldson, 43, died on March 25, 2022 after suffering what was being described as a medical episode while swimming with his grandchildren at Cotton Tree.
He was flown by rescue helicopter to Sunshine Coast University Hospital in a critical condition but tragically died on the way to hospital.
Callum Maggs
Callum, 28, was swimming with two of his brothers north of the Kawana beach flags on April 25, 2021 when he was suddenly swept out to sea.
His partner said Cal went from wading in the water and body surfing to being in serious trouble.
His brothers tried to rescue him while another borrowed a boogie board to help, however the conditions proved too difficult.
Emergency services were called and lifeguards brought an unresponsive Cal to shore and he was rushed to hospital.
He sadly passed away in hospital.
Kyle Schroduer
The body of the popular 21-year-old Brisbane man Kyle Schroduer was found north of Coolum Beach – about 300m from where he was last seen – about 2pm on March 29, 2021.
He was reportedly swimming near Stumers Creek about 4.30pm on March 28, 2021 when he was caught in a rip and suddenly disappeared.
Distraught family and friends could be seen consoling each other underneath a tent where Mr Schroduer was last seen just after authorities confirmed the tragic news the man‘s body had been found.
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