Rescue operation at Avalon Beach

A surfing identity known as ‘LA Bob’ has died at Avalon Beach, on Sydney’s northern beaches, this morning. It is believed his death may have been caused by his leg rope being tangled on rocks underwater.

A man drowned at Avalon Beach.

A MAN has drowned while surfing off Avalon Beach.

A surfer has drowned at Avalon Beach.

Bob Bevern, 62, was found unconscious under the water near the southern headland just before 9am.

People surfing near the man told police it appeared a leg rope, attaching his surfboard to his ankle, was tangled on underwater rocks in a surf break called Little Avalon.

They were surfing in swell up to 2m.

Bob Bevern. Picture: Frost Films/Vimeo

A group of surfers, who knew the man, were able to drag him on to a rock platform, near the swimming baths, and began performing CPR. They were helped by off-duty Avalon Beach surf lifesavers who had rushed down from the clubhouse.

The Toll Rescue Helicopter, with NSW Ambulance paramedics on board, arrived soon after and took over trying to resuscitate the man for about 40 minutes.

Four road ambulance crews were also on the scene, just below Surfside Ave.

Popular surf reporting website, Swellnet, reported that the dead man was a colourful local surfing identity known to local people as “LA (Little Avalon) Bob” or “Bobby”.

Mr Bevern, who had a contract concrete cutting and drilling business, chose to live in his van parked in the carpark overlooking Little Avalon.

Tributes for the man are appearing on social media.

The man died on rocks south of the Avalon Beach rockpool. Picture: Google.

One Facebook user described him as “the nicest guy ever”.

Another wrote that she had to “pick both my girls up from school because they fell apart when they heard the news. He would take them surfing at Little Avalon all the time, he was like a second dad to them. They both wear bracelets that he gave them”.

There is a rescue operation underway at Avalon Beach.

A witness said the man had been surfing in large surf just off the southern end of the beach.

“About seven or eight young surfers found him,” the witness said.

“They managed to get him up onto the rocks and started CPR straight away.

“The paramedics then took over, but they couldn't save him.”

The Northern Beaches Police Area Command confirmed the man died at the scene.

“The man has been formally identified,” a spokesman said.

“Officers from Northern Beaches Police Area Command are making inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.

“A report will be prepared for the Coroner.”