Beachgoers happy to risk heading out in treacherous surf have only themselves to blame if they get into trouble, say authorities.
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Powerful swell and king tides closed all of Shellharbour beaches on Tuesday, 10 of Wollongong's 17 patrolled beaches were also closed, yet emergency services still responded to dozens of calls for help.
This included two separate rescues on Tuesday evening, where four people needed to be saved from North Wollongong Beach. The operation involved efforts by members of the public, an off duty lifeguard, surf life saving, NSW Ambulance and NSW Police.
"Individuals need to take a personal responsibility to make smart water decisions and swim only at patrolled beaches between the red and yellow flags for their own safety," said Wollongong Council general manager Greg Doyle.
"Beach Lifeguards and Surf Life Saving volunteers are only able to supervise beach goers who visit patrolled beaches."
Meantime, just days after a rock fisherman died off Windang Island, Shellharbour Mayor Chris Homer found himself explaining to a family why their young son should not have been fishing waste deep in water near the same spot.
"These type of conditions are coming from the north, from [ex-tropical] Cyclone Seth, and the beach and swell conditions are really only for the super experienced," Cr Homer said.
"Awareness campaigns are good but people taking personal responsibility is even better."
Supervise your children, get off your phones and really pay attention to your children in the water.
- Anthony Turner, Surf Life Saving Illawarra
It's been the busiest period in five years for NSW Surf Life Savers with a record number of incidents, rescues and preventative actions up and down the coastline.
Of those logged, an unsuccessful CPR attempt at Park Beach in Coffs Harbour was among 197 rescues, 6,923 preventative actions and 24 emergency incidents.
Surf Life Saving Illawarra spokesman Anthony Turner said it had been a slow start to summer but Monday saw "incredible crowds and numerous incidents".
"This time of year really is the silly season," he said.
Mr Turner said surf clubs have an array of methods to try and keep beaches safe - like additional jetskis and drones - but people need to look at conditions, swim to their abilities and between flags at a patrolled beach.
"Another big one is supervise your children, get off your phones and really pay attention to your children in the water," he said.
Another source of rescues, he said, stems from bystanders such as parents or friends jumping in the water to help loved ones who get into trouble.
"If you witness an in-water emergency call Triple Zero straight away ... only experienced people should really attempt a rescue," he said.
"And look for an life saver or life guard, even if it means sending someone running around to the next beach or nearest headland."
Agata Imielska from the Bureau of Meteorology said the weather system brought high swells and damaging winds - with Byron Bay experiencing wave heights of 10 metres.
"That just shows how dangerous the conditions are for people on the beach, holiday goers," she said.
Queensland's Bribie Island has been separated by the strength of the king tide, with a channel of water currently dividing the land.
On the Gold Coast, a shipping container of beers was lifted by the swell, spilling its contents onto the beach (video above).
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