Horror start to Aussie summer sees 48 drownings nationwide

48 people have tragically lost their lives in Australia’s waters this summer, prompting new advice from our country’s lifesavers on how to stay safe while swimming.

(Clockwise from top left) Sebas Sanchez Leon, Ryan Bibby, Sandeep Dutta, Hannah Seymour, Paul Dolan, and Rebecca Teuma are just six of the people who have lost their lives in NSW's waters this summer.

A horror start to the summer, which has seen 48 people lose their lives across the country, has prompted lifesavers to issue an impassioned call for more safety around our waters.

The call comes after two more drownings in NSW brought the state’s total to 18.

A woman drowned in Jervis Bay while paddleboarding on Monday, while a man was pulled from the water at Curl Curl Beach on Sydney’s Northern Beaches on Tuesday.

The woman was believed to have encountered difficulties while using her paddleboard off Captains Beach, the second drowning in Jervis Bay this month after a 62-year-old man drowned while surfing at Caves Beach on January 9. 

Sandeep Dutta drowned in the Hawkesbury River at Windsor on Christmas Day.

Meanwhile, the man in his 60s who drowned at Curl Curl Beach was pulled from the water after being found unconscious.

Surfers attempted CPR on the man before paramedics arrived, however, despite their best efforts, he died at the scene.

Rivers have also been dangerous this summer, with 16-year-old Ryan Bibby and 36-year-old Sandeep Dutta both drowning in the Hawkesbury River at Windsor within two weeks of each other in December.

Just after Christmas, cousins Hannah Seymour, 14, and Rebecca Teuma, 13, died after a boating accident on Lake Keepit near Tamworth.

Rebecca Teuma.

Hannah Seymour.

According to Royal Life Saving Australia, New South Wales’ 18 deaths make up 38 per cent of the 48 total water fatalities across the country.

Chief executive of Royal Life Saving Australia, Justin Scarr, said these figures were unfortunately consistent with previous years, however, the circumstances were slightly different.

“Last summer, we saw a lot of flood related drownings because it was so wet, while this summer we’re seeing more recreational drownings,” he said.

Mr Scarr warned about the importance of planning beach trips before getting in the water.

“If people are careful, they can very easily enjoy a day out in the water without any fear of being involved in an incident,” he said.

Paul Doran died trying to save his 11-year-old daughter from a rip at Lennox Head.

He noted the importance of swimming at a recognised patrolled beach and not swimming alone.

“It’s also important to save drinking alcohol to the end of the day when your water activities are done,” he said.

Alcohol consumption is the cause of one-in-four water deaths nationwide, according to Mr Scarr, who said it was vital not to “swim drunk”.

“Public holidays like Australia Day, people celebrate with a few beers, which is fine. But what isn’t fine is when people swim after getting a bit drunk,” he said.

Noa Sage, 20, a Swedish student studying in Sydney who went missing after being washed off rocks on Blue Fish Point on North Head, near Manly, on January 18, 2023. Picture: Channel 9 News

“It leads to a lot of problems.”

According to Mr Scarr, the key things to look out for and consider when planning a day in the water is to:

• Swim at patrolled beaches
• Do not drink alcohol before swimming
• If you’re at a beach, stay between the flags
• Do not go too deep if you’re not a confident swimmer
• If you are swimming in a deep lake or river, or you are out in a boat, wear a life jacket
• Do not swim alone