Swimmers, surfers punished in TC Alfred crunch zone

Tropical Cyclone Alfred has already whipped up some powerful swells with swimmers and board riders being crunched in dumping waves. SEE THE VIDEO, PHOTOS

Tropical Cyclone Alfred has already whipped up some powerful swells with swimmers and board riders on the Sunshine Coast being crunched in dumping waves.

Board riders were lasting just seconds in the waves before being hurled into the whitewash.

Mooloolaba can be notorious for dumping waves on low tides with more than its share of devastating spinal injuries over the years.

Lifeguards on Thursday were pleading with swimmers to stay at waist depth only with flash rips and powerful wave surges.

But young board riders were not phased by the dumpers, throwing themselves at the mercy of the ocean as beachgoers watched on.

Further out, another set of waves was giving members of local surf lifesaving surfboat crews a good test of their skills.

There have also been some surfers being towed out with jetskis onto the waves, while others on hydrofoils float above them.

The Bureau of Meteorology on Friday morning said the category three system was about 750km east northeast of Mackay and 770km northeast of Rockhampton.

“Alfred is forecast to continue moving to the south through the Coral Sea today,” the bureau’s latest update said.

Big surf on Sunshine Coast

“On Saturday it may take a turn to the south southwest towards the Queensland coast before tracking away from the coast during Sunday.

The bureau warned of large and powerful to a potentially damaging easterly swell from abnormally high tides from today into the weekend.

Surfers and swimmers crunched in big waves off Mooloolaba

VIEW GALLERY

Qld surf hotspots emerge as cyclone whips up once-in-a-lifetime swell

From Rainbow Beach to the Sunshine Coast and down to the Gold Coast, experts have revealed the SEQ surf hotspots to benefit from the cyclone swell predicted to hit this week.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred was earlier tipped to have a high probability of crossing one of the most highly populated stretches of the Queensland coast by early next week but that is unlikely now.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is expected to strengthen further over the next 24 to 48 hours, into a category three system. Picture: Weatherzone

Surf’s Up: Monster swells hammer the Sunshine Coast

Advanced surfers across the southeast Queensland coastline are set to reap the benefits of the cyclone before its predicted to hit hard.

Sunshine Coast XL Surf Academy manager of three years Bodi Lowrie, 30, of Wurtulla, said it was going to be an exciting week of swells.

Mr Lowrie, who has been surfing on the Sunshine Coast for more than 25 years, has been a surf coach at Alexandra Headland for five years.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is expected to strengthen further over the next 24 to 48 hours, into a category three system. Picture: Weatherzone

Surf watch around the Sunshine Coast

“You can see the swell increasing today there’s a lot more wind and energy in the water,” he said.

“In the water you can feel the power increasing.

“We’ve been watching the forecast and you can definitely see the system moving closer.”

Modelling from European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts shows Cyclone Alfred’s predicted impact.

Big surf pounds the Sunshine Coast

He said it would prove an exciting opportunity for advanced surfers.

“If you’re advanced and know what you’re doing the points will be absolutely amazing the next couple of days,” Mr Lowrie said.

“Especially at Noosa and Double Island. They would be as good as it ever gets.

“For the advanced surfers looking to score waves it is possibly the biggest swell we’re going to see in a long time.

“The best spots would be Double Island Point, Noosa, Snapper Rocks, Byron Bay, Currumbin, Lennox heads, the Pass, and maybe Agnes Water.

“At Agnes Water it would be pretty good but could also be too close to where the system is and the wind might be too strong.”

A surfer at Maroochydore as a large swell hits southeast Queensland. Picture Lachie Millard

Surf off the Sunshine Coast

Mr Lowrie said it was particularly exciting for Sunshine Coast surfers.

“The Sunshine Coast isn’t exactly known for its powerful surf so we’ve got to make the most of it and go enjoy it,” he said.

“It’s definitely exciting just need to find time for the boss to let me go enjoy it.

“When I was growing up the surf season here was end of March through to June or July. I remember swells coming mostly in May. Then more recently February and early March have been the best.”

Big surf continues to pound Sunshine Coast beaches

Mr Lowrie said based on current predictions the good surf would only last till the weekend.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if the beaches would all be closed from Sunday through to Tuesday,” he said.

“By then it will be too big and dangerous if it keeps going this way. All of the open beaches especially where the currents will be too strong.

“Lifeguards will probably close the beaches. Unless the forecast changes but that’s how it’s looking today.”

The keen surfer said he wanted to remind inexperienced surfers and swimmers to stay safe.

“There needs to be more emphasis on beach safety,” he said.

“Over summer time people flood in and just have no idea about the beaches.

“Best to stay safe and swim where the life guards are.”

A surfer takes on a large wave at Sunshine Beach as big swells are forecast to pound southeast Queensland over the next week. Picture Lachie Millard

Across the Sunshine Coast Wednesday morning beachgoers were considering their safety in the surf as waves grow larger.

Noel, who was visiting Coolum Beach from Brisbane with his wife said it looked “very rough” out in the surf.

“We probably won’t be going swimming at all,” he said.

A Surf Life Saving Queensland spokeswoman on Tuesday said there were no official warnings for the coast.

“Surf Life Saving Queensland is in ongoing contact with the Bureau of Meteorology and monitoring Tropical Cyclone Alfred,” she said.

“At this time there is no direct impact on coastal Queensland and we encourage beachgoers to adhere to lifeguards and volunteer lifesavers instructions as per normal when swimming at the beach. Always swim between the red and yellow flags and be aware of the current conditions.

“SLSQ will provide further information in relation to any requirements for beach closures, condition warnings and stinger net removals when the appropriate.”

Originally published as Swimmers, surfers punished in TC Alfred crunch zone