Hazardous conditions prompts safety warning for Waverley’s beaches

12 June 2022

If you witness an in-water emergency, please inform our Council Lifeguards, or if it is after hours, dial Triple Zero  (000) and ask for the Police. Our current lifeguard patrol hours are 6am to 5.30pm at Waverley's three beaches.

^{Huge waves batter Bondi Icebergs this week. Picture: Waverley Council.}

Waverley Council is urging people to stay safe this long weekend with surf and swell conditions expected to remain hazardous for coastal activities such swimming, boating and rock fishing until at least midnight tomorrow, Monday 13 June.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a hazardous surf warning for the Sydney, Illawarra, Batemans, Eden, Byron, Coffs, Macquarie and Hunter coasts.

Daniel McLaughlin, Coordinator, Lifeguard Services, said the swell is expected to peak this evening with hazardous since Friday morning.

“Please listen to the lifeguards and know your abilities,” Mr McLaughlin said. “Please don’t place your life at risk or that of lifeguards.”

NSW Police Force, Marine Area Command advise that:

• People should consider staying out of the water and avoid walking near surf-exposed areas
• Rock fishers should avoid coastal rock platforms exposed to the ocean and seek a safe location that is sheltered from the surf
• Boaters planning to cross shallow water and ocean bars should consider changing or delaying their voyage
• Boaters already on the water should carry the appropriate safety equipment and wear a lifejacket
• Boaters should 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 BOM will issue its next warning by 5pm EDT today.

For more, visit http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings/hazardoussurf.shtml or tune into marine radio.

-ENDS-

Media inquiries: media@waverley.nsw.gov.au or 0416 075 532