Lifesavers warn of deadly risk facing Aussies after Christmas

The death of a young dad has served as a grave reminder of a little-known but deadly risk that threatens Australians in the days after Christmas.

The Royal Lifesaving Society (RLS) has issued a warning after the deaths of 22 people, reminding Aussies that the days between Christmas and New Year are the deadliest to be in the water.

At least 22 people have drowned in Australian waters since summer began on December 1, according to the volunteer body.

They include 35-year-old Seti Tuaopepe, who drowned while trying to save his two children at the newly opened Penrith Beach on Boxing Day.

Seti Tuaopepe drowned while paddle boarding with his children at Penrith Beach on Tuesday. Picture: Facebook

Mr Tuaopepe’s death brought Australia’s post-Christmas drowning death toll to four.

He was paddle boarding with his kids, whom he was reportedly holding onto while waiting for help after realising they were in trouble.

The children were rescued but Mr Tuaopepe did not survive. His body was pulled from the water at the Sydney beach on Tuesday evening, after an hours-long search.

The 35-year-old drowned after going missing early on Tuesday afternoon, before his body was found hours later.

The period between Christmas and January 2 is Australia’s riskiest time for drowning deaths, typically accounting for about one-quarter of the country’s annual total, the RLS said.

“Statistically, over the Christmas festive period, you’re twice as likely to drown on a NSW coastline than at any other time,” Steven Pearce, chief executive officer at Surf Lifesaving NSW, told SBS.

“That’s predominantly because we get so many people coming down on the beaches and visiting locations where they’re just not used to the local conditions.”

Aussies are twice as likely to drown during the festive period. Picture: Getty Images.

Men are more likely to die by drowning, which Mr Pearce said was partly due to greater alcohol consumption.

According to this year’s National Drowning Report, which catalogued drowning deaths between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023, 77 per cent of those who died were male.

“Men need to remember that alcohol can affect choices and skills around the water — too often with tragic consequences,” Mr Pearce said.

“Alcohol was present in more than a quarter of drowning deaths last summer, so we’re urging people to make the right call and leave the beers until after swimming, boating or fishing.”

Another man died at Stockton Beach, NSW on December 27. Picture: Channel 9.

Beachgoers who are culturally or linguistically diverse are also more likely drown.

Mr Pearce said Surf Lifesaving NSW was working to address beach safety for these communities through rock fishing education, training programs and visits to schools and migrant resource centres.

“It’s really important that to engage those communities to participate in those programs, you have to build that trust and that rapport,” he said.

“You also have to have that accessibility to enable the communities to be able to access these programs in locations where they reside.”

Men are more likely to drown. Picture: Channel 9.

Surf Life Saving Australia urged beachgoers to research the beach and its conditions before heading into the water.

Beachgoers were advised to download the Beachsafe App, swim at open, patrolled beaches, be aware of hazards and wear sun protection.

Mr Pearce urged anybody swimming at an unpatrolled or isolated location to have a plan, mobile phone connection and a flotation device.

“It’s going to be a long, hot summer (and) our lifesavers and lifeguards will be on duty right throughout that period,” he said.

“But if you do decide to go to a location where we don’t have lifesavers there, make sure you have that plan before you leave the house.”