Gold Coast beaches north from Burleigh Heads have been closed due to dangerous surf conditions

Surf life savers have pleaded with Gold Coast beachgoers to stay out of the water as dangerous surf conditions continue and three people have drowned since Thursday evening.

Jodie Callcott

less than 2 min read

January 30, 2021 - 4:59PM

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SURF life savers have pleaded with Gold Coast beachgoers to stay out of the water as dangerous surf conditions continue and three people have drowned since Thursday evening.

Beaches north of Burleigh Heads are closed today as ex-tropical cyclone Lucas continues cause massive swells up to 2m.

Three people have drowned in Gold Coast beaches outside of patrol hours in the past 48 hours.

Gold Coast gym manager Jake Jacobs, 32, and his girlfriend Julia Boika, 29, drowned at Kurrawa Beach after a late night swim on Thursday evening.

Julia Boika and Jake Jacobs lost their lives after going for a late night swim north of Kurrawa Beach on Thursday night. Picture: Supplied.

A 30-year-old man has also drowned in massive swells at Mermaid Beach this morning.

Paramedics including high acuity response officers were called to the scene just after 7.30am and desperately tried to revive the man but were unable to.

Queensland Ambulance senior operations supervisor Janey Shearman said surf life savers were beginning their day when they noticed the man struggling.

She said they brought the man back to the shoreline but by that time he was already in cardiac arrest.

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Beaches north of Burleigh Heads are closed today as ex-tropical cyclone Lucas continues cause massive swells up to 2m. Picture: Scott Powick.

“The surf life savers have initiated CPR on scene and Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) has supported them, including critical care and high acuity response officers,” Ms Shearman said.

“From that time they worked very hard for about half an hour, but unfortunately the gentleman was declared deceased at scene.

“It’s a terribly sad day and that affects so many people around … when there’s a young and needless death at the beach.”

Surf life savers have pleaded with Gold Coast beachgoers to stay out of the water as dangerous surf conditions and three people have drowned since Thursday evening. Picture: Jodie Callcott

Nathan Fife SLSQ Lifesaving Services Supervisor said the conditions today were “extremely strong and powerful”, making it unsafe to swim.

“We have seen three people tragically lose their lives after going for a swim.

“We ask everyone on the Gold Coast north of Burleigh, to not enter the water today.”

Full list of beaches closed: