Sydney weather: NSW beaches thrashed by monster 11.5m wave

The NSW coast has taken a battering today, with wild weather whipping up an epic swell on some of Sydney’s most popular beaches.

Sydney beaches have been lashed by giant waves today, with dangerous conditions grinding ferry services to a halt and leaving several people injured.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, a monster, 11.5 metre wave was recorded just offshore in Sydney this morning, with 9 metre swells also noted off Bateman’s Bay and Crowdy Head on the mid-north coast.

There is currently a strong to gale force wind warning for the NSW coast, with a gale warning in place for the Coffs Harbour, Macquarie, Hunter, Sydney and Illawarra coasts.

A BOM spokesman told news.com.au the wild conditions and “powerful” waves would slowly begin to ease from tomorrow.

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Wild waves have thrashed Sydney’s east. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Jeremy Piper

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“A deep low pressure system over the Tasman Sea has resulted in hazardous conditions and may result in coastal erosion,” the spokesman said.

“We expect those hazardous conditions are likely to persist throughout the week, but it is slowly moving east over the coming days and powerful wave conditions will begin easing from tomorrow afternoon into the evening.

“But hazardous surf conditions are likely to persist with really large, powerful waves along coastal NSW, so people should be very careful and stay up-to-date with warnings and forecasts before going into the water.”

2 surfers have been injured after hitting the rocks at Curl Curl. High seas from the east coast low are eroding beaches in Sydney. #beach #eastcoastlow #surf #northernbeaches #Sydney #curlcurl #BreakingNews pic.twitter.com/TPI2WjI9wj

— Glenn Coddington ACS (@GlennCoddington) July 15, 2020

Dramatic photos taken at some of Sydney’s most iconic beaches – including Bondi and Coogee – showed stunned beachgoers taking in the huge swell earlier today, with a strong warning for coastal activities such as rock fishing, boating and swimming remaining in place.

This afternoon, Northern Beaches Police Area Command confirmed on social media that emergency crews had responded to South Curl Curl amid “reports of people hurt in the big surf”.

Ambulance crews treated two people at the scene, and the Careflight helicopter has also responded, with both injured parties being taken to hospital.

As this video from near Terrigal shows, today is not the day to be rock fishing, boating or swimming along the #NSW coast.
The peak wave height off #Sydney overnight was 11.6 metres.
Coastal forecast: https://t.co/AUxyWa3XtH
Hazardous Surf Warning: https://t.co/mkjgXGziob pic.twitter.com/D4umszhGDu

— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) July 14, 2020

At the moment, the NSW Police Force, Marine Area Command advises that people should consider staying out of the water and avoid walking near surf-exposed areas, while rock fishers should avoid coastal rock platforms exposed to the ocean and seek a safe location that is sheltered from the surf.

Meanwhile, boaters planning to cross shallow water and ocean bars should consider changing or delaying their voyage while those already on the water should carry safety equipment, wear a lifejacket and remember to log on with their local Marine Rescue radio base, via VHF Radio or the Marine Rescue APP, and consider their safety management plan.

The conditions are so rough Sydney Ferries have cancelled services between Manly and Circular Quay, replacing them with buses.

Buses continue to replace ferries between Manly and Circular Quay due to the rough swell. Allow extra travel time and check information displays at wharves for service updates

— Sydney Ferries Info (@FerriesInfo) July 15, 2020

Sydney Ferries also confirmed Palm Beach services are diverting to Patonga at the moment.

The incredible swells come after a missing surfer, who sparked a desperate helicopter search after it appeared he failed to return to the beach on Tuesday as wild weather ripped through Sydney, has been found at his Coogee home.

Police were called to Coogee Beach just after 5pm on Tuesday after receiving reports of a surfer struggling in the water.

Massive waves on Tuesday in South #CurlCurl NSW, shot by @tam_dejour_photography (Instagram). 🌊 Wind and rain will ease over eastern NSW from today and waves will gradually drop off later in the week.#NSWweather pic.twitter.com/BK9gDdadl3

— Weatherzone (@weatherzone) July 15, 2020

Officers were told the man had a long blue surfboard and appeared to battling with large swells about 200 metres offshore, and a dramatic police search ensued with the assistance of a rescue helicopter, to no avail.

However, a man later contacted police who then attended a home in Coogee where they spoke to the 31-year-old man, identified as the missing surfer.