Surf Life Saving NSW is advising rock fishermen, inexperienced surfers and boat skippers to exercise caution as potentially dangerous surf conditions are expected on Friday and Saturday along the NSW coastline.
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The long period southerly swell is expected to reach 1.8m with a swell period of up to 19 seconds. Conditions are expected to impact the coastline from Friday afternoon and continue until Saturday evening, where they will ease overnight.
SLSNSW Lifesaving Manager, Andy Kent, warns that these conditions will be particularly hazardous for coastal activities such as crossing river bars by boats and rock fishing.
“Due to the longer period swells you could expect to wait up to 15 – 20 minutes between the larger ‘set’ waves. A rock platform that may look like a safe fishing option could in fact be under water when larger waves sweep through.
“We’d advise against people swimming at unpatrolled locations and to stay away from rock platforms and headlands until these conditions moderate,” said Andy Kent.
Some of the metro beaches are still patrolled through winter. Go to beachsafe.org.au for patrolled locations.
Public Safety Messages - During Dangerous Surf Conditions
- Swim only at patrolled beaches between the red/yellow flags (No flags, No swim)
- Avoid rock-fishing on the open coastline
- Always wear a lifejacket if rock-fishing
- Inexperienced surfers should avoid surfing
- Boaties should check their local forecast, seek advice from NSW Maritime and always wear a lifejacket
- Visit Beachsafe for information on patrolled beaches/times
- If witnessing an in-water emergency dial Triple Zero – Police
