Surf Life Saving NSW coastal report reveals coastal drownings are at all time high, with 55 deaths
Port Kembla, Bateman’s Bay and Catherine Hill Bay are the picturesque coastal spots that witnessed tragedies this surf season, as NSW saw the highest number of coastal drownings on record.
Newcastle
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The NSW South Coast has recorded the highest number of drownings in a regional area for the past surf season according to the latest report by Surf Life Saving (SLS) NSW.
It comes as NSW recorded the most coastal drownings on record, with 55 people tragically losing their lives on our beaches, waterways and rock platforms in 2021/22, up almost 30 per cent on the 10-year average.
Twelve people died in the water on the south and far south coast, just second to Sydney and its northern beaches which recorded a total number of 18 deaths.
One of those tragedies, a 41-year-old Canberra woman on Easter Sunday at Surf Beach near Batemans Bay, part of a group of swimmers who became caught in a rip, in what turned out to be a “chaotic” rescue.
While the highest number of deaths occurred from people swimming in the water, at 29 per cent, an alarming figure was rock fishing fatalities which climbed to 11, a 37 per cent increase.
Nineteen-year-old angler Brendan Buxton-Hurd was hit by a freak wave and swept out to sea at the notorious fishing spot Hill 60 on ANZAC Day.
He was one of six deaths across the Illawarra region, while the Central Coast recorded four deaths for the period, including a 41-year-old body boarder at Spoon Bay, at Forresters Beach in October last year.
The regions to record the lowest number of drownings were the Hunter and North Coast where three people lost their lives and two deaths on the Far North Coast.
An elderly Sydney couple were recently swept to their deaths in July after attempting to visit some picturesque caves on a piece of rugged Lake Macquarie, at Catherine Hill Bay.
The woman was found in surf off Moonee Beach before a police helicopter located her husband’s body about three kilometres off Birdie Beach, a day later.
The Mid North Coast was the only area not to record any drownings.
In the report, more than 80 per cent of coastal drownings across the state were men, with a high percentage, around 62 per cent, being over the age of 40.
It comes as around 180 million people visited our beaches across the state in 2021/22, with volunteer surf life savers pulling off more than 4,000 rescues.
Volunteers spent over 621,000 hours on patrol, with the number of emergency callouts increased to 791 for the year.
Rock fishing enthusiast Hadi Thahar, who also has a Youtube channel Team Kingies, recently had a “scary” moment where he was hit by a “freak wave” on one of Sydney’s beaches.
“I’ve had dangerous moments but not like that. The wave came out of nowhere,” he said.
Luckily he was swept into a deep rock pool and he was able to get out with the help of a friend, although it could have been worse.
Mr Thahar, who has been a rock fishermen for nearly 10 years, said a lot of the time people don’t understand the dangers and risks.
“People need to understand the dangers and how to reduce the risk,” he explained.
“You can’t eliminate the risk 100 per cent, it’s just part of the sport, it’s a dangerous sport, but how to minimise it and know your limits.
“The rocks can be very slippery because water has been hitting it constantly and then algae growing, and if you step on it, it’s really slippery, they call it black ice.”
He said all rock fisherman should do their prep, by understanding conditions and looking at the forecast, as well as having important gear like lifejackets and cleats, which are gripped shoes.
But also knowing how to predict things before they happen.
SLS NSW has partnered with the NSW Government to help tackle the spike in rock fishing deaths by delivering an initiative helping rock fishers to be safer, which is travelling around the state.
“This summer we’ll see more of these skills sessions held up and down the New South Wales coast, providing participants with life-saving information and a free life jacket,” Surf Life Saving NSW Director of Lifesaving Joel Wiseman said.
“It was also pleasing to see that Wollongong City Council has voted to introduce mandatory life jacket legislation for rock fishers, becoming the ninth LGA to do so.”
Boating was also a big cause of drowning with eight people boating or using personal watercraft when they lost their lives.
“Regardless of what you’re doing on the water, it’s absolutely vital that you check the conditions prior to heading out, understand the environment you are entering, understand your own limitations and abilities, and ensure you are well-equipped should things go wrong,” said Mr Wiseman.
Drownings by Surf Life Saving Branch
Far North Coast – 2
North Coast - 3
Mid North Coast – 0
Lower North Coast – 4
Hunter – 3
Central Coast – 4
Sydney Northern Beaches – 6
Sydney – 12
Illawarra – 6
South Coast – 7
Far South Coast - 5
Other - 3
Beach Safety Tips
- Always swim between the red and yellow patrol flags, for your nearest patrolled beach check the BeachSafe app or website
- Read the safety signs for information about the beach and ask a lifesaver or lifeguard for safety information
- Always swim with someone else so you can look out for each other, and always supervise children around the water
- Never swim under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- If you need help in the water, stay calm and attract attention by raising one arm
- In an emergency, dial Triple Zero
- For information about patrol times, weather, and beach locations visit the Beachsafe Website or Download the App.
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