Surfers tackle big waves at Gold Coast beaches despite weather warnings
Authorities have expressed concerns surfers will run into trouble while tackling big waves across the Gold Coast.
Gold Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gold Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
AUTHORITIES say surfers face little risk of shark attacks while tackling waves whipped up by wild weather, with nets removed for safety reasons.
Gold Coast City Council Mayor Tom Tate and Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) lifesaver Nathan Fife were more concerned surfers would lose boards and run into trouble – despite a surfer being bumped by a shark at Burleigh over the weekend.
MORE NEWS
Gold Coast weather: Huge rainfall totals, wave heights on Gold Coast
Martin Tullemans, legendary surf photographer, dies on Gold Coast
Surfers could become tangled in wayward shark control gear if nets and drum lines were not removed ahead of the dangerous conditions, according to Cr Tate and Mr Fife.
In 1992, Gold Coast boy Paul Rogers drowned at Nobby Beach after his surfboard’s leg rope wrapped around a shark drum line.
GCWSR (Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve) reported on its Instagram page on Sunday that a shark had bumped a surfer at Burleigh Cove at 4pm on Saturday while beaches were closed and after shark nets had been removed.
Cr Tate said he was worried about surfers running into trouble while tackling the big swell.
“Of course I’m concerned as any surfer getting into difficulty takes resources away from other areas. It makes no sense to put your own life, and the lives of rescuers, at risk,” he said.
“Our beaches are closed for safety reasons and that obviously includes swimming or surfing in the rough waters. Our city social media sites, and all media, are advising people to stay away from the beaches.”
Cr Tate said there was a “far greater chance of losing their board after a leg rope snaps and then finding themselves in serious trouble” than of a shark attack.
“Nets are a state government asset but I support them being removed in situations like this. If they rip free, they can be a real danger to vessels as well as marine life,” he said.
Mr Fife, SLSQ Gold Coast lifesaving services co-ordinator, said it was likely surfers seen at beaches were quite experienced.
Some people spotted surfing at city beaches were accompanied by jetskis.
“Beaches are closed, people aren’t swimming. There’s some experienced surfers out at places like Currumbin and Snapper, but most people have stayed away from the beach,” he said.
“Surf Life Saving Queensland is telling people if you don’t have to go out, don’t go out. Wait for the conditions to improve – you’re risking the lives of other people if you do get stuck.”
Mr Fife said removing the nets was “100 per cent” the right call.
“Surfers can get tangled up in them, leg ropes can get caught and people can drown,” he said. “They also get destroyed and wash up on beaches. The state government spends a lot of money in gear and equipment.
“We’ve got to warn people, shark nets have been taken out, there’s marine creatures out in the ocean and it’s a safety measure that’s been taken away. Another reason not to be in the water.”
He said nets which come loose could also become tangled on vessels.
Man left with life-threatening injuries in Gold Coast stabbing
A father of five has learned his fate for his role in a violent confrontation on a suburban street that left one man with “imminently life-threatening” injuries.
Toy guns, knife in wild scenes at Pac Fair
A man has been charged after shoppers were allegedly witness to bizarre scenes in Pacific Fair involving a knife, toy guns and teens said to have been causing havoc.