TRANSCRIPT
As Chief Executive Officer of Surf Lifesaving New South Wales, Stephen Pearce has seen a lot.
But for all that he has witnessed on the state's beaches, he has no comparison for the past three days.
"This has been absolutely horrific from a coastal drowning perspective. It would be the worst Easter drowning toll that we have seen in New South Wales on our records."
Six people have died - including children - the youngest, nine years old.
At South West Rocks on New South Wales mid-north coast on Sunday, a nine year-old boy died after police, surf life savers and fire crews attempted to free him.
He had been stuck in rocks off the shoreline.
The incident is being investigated for the state coroner.
It was the latest in a string of horrors, in part attributed to a huge coastal swell that created hazardous surf conditions over the Easter weekend.
Since Friday, rescue teams have searched from air and sea, looking for a 24 year-old man who was swept off the rocks at Little Bay in Sydney's east.
The same day, a couple and their friend were swept off rocks in San Remo, south east of Melbourne.
Acting Superintendent Paul Cripps of Victoria Police said the group, who are believed to be Chinese nationals on working visas, were caught unaware by the surf conditions.
"Seven people in their late thirties, early forties just walking along exploring the beach and it appears they got hit by a freak wave and three people got washed out to sea."
One woman died - and a search is ongoing for a missing man.
Two emergency lifesaving helicopters, based in Sydney and Moruya, have flown more than 30 rescue missions in the past three days.
On one flight, crew discovered a man and teenager, floating face down in the waters to the south of Sydney, off the Royal National Park.
Sadly, the man died - but Mr Pearce says with rapid resuscitation, helicopter crew saved his son's life.
"Our first responders have seen some really awful things this long weekend with the amount of fatalities and other critical incidents. To be confronted with two people unconscious, not to know at the time they were father and son, but then finding that out later. The helicopter crews have done an amazing job"
Lifesavers have performed 100 water rescues over the long weekend- 50 of them on Easter Sunday.
New South Wales Deputy Premier Prue Car says it's crucial that people follow the advice of lifesavers.
"It's really important to make sure that the people of New South Wales understand that while the weather is beautiful and yes, you want to get down to the beach with your kids during the break and the school holidays, please take the advice at all times of surf life saving. Make sure you stay away from dangerous swells you are putting your life in danger as well as those that we will have to send to save you."
Most of the drownings are attributed to people being swept off rock beds or cliffs - some of whom were fishing.
Waverley Council Head Lifeguard Bruce Hopkins - who works on Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach, has told the Nine Network people should try and float if they get in trouble in the water.
"If you do fall in off a rock ledge or you get caught in a rip is to float. And if you can float, the longer you can do that, the more chance emergency crews can come and get you. And most people want to go back to where they were and they try and fight the water, fight the ocean to get back up on the rock ledges and that's when they end up drowning."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is imploring beachgoers to be on their guard in this warm weather.
"These are tragic events. Australians love the water, we love the surf - I'm one of those. But please, everyone be careful, families in particular to be careful of your kids and my heart goes out to those for whom Easter will be a very difficult time indeed."
Drowning has been an escalating issue in recent years, with Royal Life Saving Australia's National Drowning Report revealing 323 drowning deaths over the past year - a 16 per cent jump over the average annual toll.
There have been concerns over lack of swimming lessons and water safety education in Australia as contributing factors.
Royal Life Saving Australia reported ten million swimming lessons were cancelled in the pandemic and many children missed two years of education in water safety .
The organisation released a water safety campaign for the Easter break, with this advice.
"Around the water, avoid alcohol, make the right call - keep your mates safe. Supervise children at all times, keep watch and keep them within arms' reach. Wear a lifejacket when on the water. There is one for every activity and every body. Be aware of conditions, don't let the weather catch you out. And avoid going alone."
In 2025, there are now concerns many households can't afford swimming lessons for children before they attend school.
The First Lap Voucher and Active and Creative Kids voucher are available via the Service New South Wales app for children in the state between age 3 and 6.
The schemes include $100 worth of vouchers for swimming lessons.
Since 2018, Lifesaving Victoria has focused on providing lessons for migrant communities who have been identified as at higher risk of drowning.
In 2024, it provided close to 10 thousand lessons for newly-arrived residents who had little or no experience in the water.
