Sydney’s beaches closed as wild waves hit the NSW coast

1 month ago 15

Most beaches along the NSW coast were closed on Saturday as large waves caused dangerous conditions for swimming, rock fishing and boating.

It was “very gnarly” at Cronulla Beach Rock Pool, said actor Patch May, who lives in Vancouver but was visiting the spot he and his brother, Mikey, had played in since they were toddlers.

Despite hanging on to the wire rope barrier, a couple of big waves knocked them off. “It was an absolute washing machine,” said May.

Weather. Mikey and Patch May check out the wild surf conditions from the Cronulla rock pool.

Patch, 33, and brother Mikey, 31, grew up in Cronulla. The brothers suggested anyone unfamiliar with the beach, and who lacked water safety skills, should stay out of the water on Saturday.

According to Surf Life Saving Australia’s Beachsafe app, most beaches on the NSW coast were closed, including Newcastle, Bronte, Tamarama, Coogee, Cronulla and Maroubra.

Surfline’s live beach cameras revealed conditions were poor at most beaches up and down the NSW coast. Waves were twice as high, averaging two metres compared to one, as in past few weeks. Most were a big mess of whitewash.

Wild seas surprise a person walking along the Cronulla esplanade on Saturday morning.

“It is a very lumpy, strong, and stormy swell. It looks like it has lots of power, but it is not good for surfing,” said Bill, a surfer in Newcastle who did not provide his last name.

Beach scientist Andrew Short told the Herald that big waves would start reshaping beaches for more consistent surf after a period dominated by small waves breaking on shore. The “wave drought” this summer had been interrupted only occasionally and briefly, Short said.

NSW Police urged beachgoers to stay out of the water, and avoid walking near areas exposed to the large waves of four metres that were causing dangerous conditions for swimming, rock fishing and boating.

Rock fishers should avoid coastal rock platforms exposed to the ocean and seek a safe location that was sheltered from the surf, police said.

The Bureau of Meteorology warned on Saturday the forecast severe thunderstorm that was tipped to produce heavy rainfall, causing flash flooding, had been spotted near Berowra, in Sydney’s north. The thunderstorm was moving towards the north, and was forecast to affect Calga, Spencer and Lower Mangrove by 10.20am.

Heavy rain had also fallen in Parramatta.

Sydney was expected to get 30mm to 100mm in moderate to heavy rain over the next day, said a Bureau spokesperson. He said the temperature would stay constant, at around 21, and the city would be hit by gusty winds.