Twenty-eight people have drowned at New South Wales beaches in the last three months, making this summer the deadliest in the state's history.
Key points:
- Fifty-four people drowned on the Australian coastline this summer
- Lifesavers say rip currents were the cause of almost half of the beach drownings
- Eighty-one per cent of those who died were men and nine per cent were people trying to rescue someone else
A Surf Life Saving Australia beach safety report has revealed there were 54 coastal drowning deaths nationwide during the 2022/23 season, 14 per cent above the 10-year average.
More than 6,000 rescues were performed in the 90 days between December and March.
Surf Life Saving Australia general manager of coastal safety Shane Daw says things can go wrong in the blink of an eye.
"We are seeing a staggering number of drowning deaths occurring year after year and it seems to be increasing," he said.
"One drowning is one too many.
"Every one of those has a mother or a father, they are sons and daughters.
"The tragedy here is more than most people can grasp.
"How many of those are you prepared to be your family?"
Experts believe a sweltering summer following a number of years disrupted by rain and the pandemic could explain the increase in fatalities.
Victoria's worst summer in 20 years
Victoria recorded 10 drownings, the worst Christmas holiday death toll in two decades.
There were seven in Queensland, five in Western Australia, two in South Australia and one in both the Northern Territory and Tasmania.
All of them occurred either at an unpatrolled area, outside patrol hours, or outside the red and yellow flags.
Rip currents were identified as the biggest killer, responsible for 43 per cent of drowning deaths.
Eighty-one per cent of the victims were men, who are more prone to overestimate their abilities in powerful surf.
"The consumption of alcohol is one contributing factor, but it's also the risk-taking," Mr Daw said.
"We are seeing unnecessary risks being taken around rocky locations and in other areas where the surf is quite large."
'Can't underestimate the ocean'
Nine per cent of the people who drowned on Australian beaches over summer were trying to save the life of someone else.
With more warm weather on the way, lifesavers are urging Australians to "stop, look and plan" at the beach.
"Stop and check if there are any rip currents," Mr Daw said.
"Look around for any other hazards or risks and plan to swim at a patrolled beach and if you can't, know what you are going to do if something goes wrong," Mr Daw said.
"Those simple steps take 60 seconds and can be the difference between a great day out and a bad day out.
"We can't underestimate the ocean.
"It's a fantastic playground, but it can also be very cruel."