Sydney tsunami warning: Nutri-Grain iron series at Bondi postponed, NSW beaches closed

A tsunami warning following an earthquake near Tonga has shut beaches, forcing the cancellation of the Nutri-Grain ironman and ironman woman series and other events in Sydney.

Bondi Beach would normally be crowded like this on a Sunday.

A tsunami alert issued for Australia’s east coast after a massive underwater volcano near Tonga has seen beaches shut and a major surf life saving event at Bondi Beach cancelled.

The eruption, which was seen from space, has resulted in beaches up and down the coast being closed as a precaution.

It also saw a curtain-raiser to the famous Nutri-Grain iron series for Australia’s top life savers at Bondi Beach cancelled this morning and then later the professional ironman and ironwoman series itself.

BUMPER IRON PHOTO GALLERY FROM RD 1-2

Ironman Ali Day winning round two at Bondi on Saturday. Pic: HarvPix

The Nutri-Grain series and teams league had been raced on Friday and Saturday before the tsunami warning was issued.

Bondi Beach was evacuated on Saturday night and was closed on Sunday when the two events were due to be held.

Based on the advice received from the NSW State Emergency Service (SES), Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) and Surf Life Saving NSW, along with the closure of beaches along the east coast of Australia, SLSA made the decision to cancel Sunday’s event.

“The athletes are disappointed, the conditions are good so we are all very disappointed,’’ said Steve Leahy, the series competition chair.

“But it is safety first and everyone understands that .no one is suggesting it's a wrong decision.’’

Leahy said any rise in the level of water can create strong rips and dangerous current.

Officials are still to determine if a third round will be raced in Sydney at a later date or tacked onto th final weekend of racing in Queensland in February.

Originally published as Sydney tsunami warning: Nutri-Grain iron series at Bondi postponed, NSW beaches closed