Today is another perfect beach day with the mercury expected to reach 34 degrees before the rain arrives for the rest of the week. There have been stark reminders to stay vigilant and swim only between the flags at patrolled beaches as dangerous rips pose serious threats to those who are unaware.

There has been a spate of drownings on the North Coast in the three days since the New Year sending a reminder to locals heading to the beach to take care, swim between the flags and be aware of the conditions.

According to Surf Lifesaving Australia, "People continue to swim at unpatrolled beaches, despite strong campaigns to "say between the flags" and research has shown "With approximately one in five of NSW’s 721 beaches having lifeguards and surf lifesavers, chances are that thousands of holidaymakers will be swimming at unpatrolled beaches these Christmas holidays."

"And while many of us cherish this right to enjoy our coast off the beaten track, statistics paint a sobering picture about the risks of swimming at unpatrolled beaches. Last year, more than 76 per cent of Australia’s 141 coastal drowning deaths occurred more than 1km away from the nearest lifeguard service, or outside patrol times."

"UNSW Sydney surf scientist Professor Rob Brander says that while the ‘swim between the flags’ message has been loud and clear for generations of Aussies, it needs to be augmented with messaging about the risks of swimming at unmonitored beaches if we’re to reduce the numbers of people drowning."

“There’s no doubting that the ‘swim between the flags’ message is effective on patrolled beaches,” Prof. Brander says.

“But there are lots of people going to beaches with no flags, and no matter what we do, they’re going to go to these beaches, so we have to give them something more.”

Late yesterday afternoon we again received tragic drowning news when a father aged 42 years died after attempting to rescue his teenage daughter, who was caught in a rip at a Mid North Coast Beach.

About 3pm (Tuesday 3 January 2022), emergency services were called to Back Beach, at Black Head, about 25km north of Forster, following reports that a man had been pulled from the water unresponsive.

A nearby surfer was able to take the girl to shore then returned, taking the man – now unresponsive – to the beach.

Members of the public performed CPR until NSW Ambulance paramedics arrived; however, the man could not be revived.

Officers attached to Manning/Great Lakes Police District attended and commenced inquiries into the incident.

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner. Anyone with information about this incident, or any mentioned below is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or by visiting https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.

This news arrives to many heavy hearts after the drowning death of a 27-year-old Brisbane man and his 28 years old friend who was later hospitalised, after what was a terrible ordeal, collapsing onto New Brighton Beach on Monday, near Ocean Shores.

The 27-year-old was subsequently dragged onto the beach by an off-duty Nurse and with nearby lifeguards, CPR was performed, until over 20 emergency service personnel, comprising of Surf Lifesavers, Paramedics and Police performed CPR for a lengthy period, though unfortunately, the man was unable to be revived and died on scene.

A third incident occuring on the same day saw a man in his 60's rescued at Broken Head Beach, south of Byron Bay by Surf Lifesavers, regain consciousness by the time he presented to Byron Bay Hospital by ambulance.

The 4th incident was of a missing woman found dead in waters off the Tweed Coast earlier on Monday, and there were reports also of a young girl rescued and taken to hospital by Surf Lifesavers at Kingscliff Beach on the same day, witnesses saying they were "shaken for hours after seeing such a serious event'.

An anonymous community member and surfer from Possum Creek told the Lismore App "I used to take a body board when I went to the beach with my kids, every time. I could use it as a floatation device if the worst happened, to support rescue if one of my kids or another person got caught in a rip."

It's so imperative to keep up to date with water safety awareness in case you do get caught in a rip.

Never swim against a rip if you are caught out, always float on your back, swim across the rip when you can and call for help, raising your arm, whilst ensuring calm, steady breathing. Something that is not easy for anyone in a rough ocean scenario, but well worth practising and teaching your kids early on.

Surf Lifesaving Australia website is a great resource, including information on how to register to undertake your Bronze Medallion Training, and on water safety. It can be found here.