|
To be a superior provider of maritime safety, marine environment protection, and maritime and aviation search and rescue. |
Weather and Warnings |
|
Beach Name: Cronulla State/Region: New South Wales Beach number: NSW335 Club name: Cronulla Address: Gerrale Street Phone: 02 9523 5300 Email: admin@cronullasurfclub.com
Website: www.cronullasurfclub.com
Beach hazard rating: High Tide: 3 Summary: This is a very popular beach which can be reached by train, is relatively safe and has a grassy park in the centre, shops nearby and a rock pool. Description: Cronulla Beach lies at the southern more protected end of Bate Bay. It runs for 300 m between the northern low rocks that separate it from North Cronulla and the southern 10 to 20 m high rocks of Cronulla Point. It curves slightly and faces due east. It is located just 200 m down the hill from the train station and a very popular destination. The centre of the beach is given over to a large park, with home units rising on the northern end, and the Surf Club and other amenities at the southern end. The beach is relatively flat and wide, with waves averaging less then 1 m. As a result rips while common are not as strong as those up at North Cronulla, and during low waves the rips often infill to form a continuous attached bar. Following severe erosion of the beach in the mid 70's, it was nourished with 130 000 tonnes of sand in 1978, much of which has remained in place. Swimming conditions: A popular relatively safe beach, however on average 96 people require rescuing each year, so the occasional rips can create problems. Stay between the flags, avoid the rips when present, and the rocks at each end where the rips tend to form. A rock pool lies on the northern rocks. Surfing conditions: Under normal conditions Cronulla has a low shorebreak, however when the adjacent northern beaches are blown out or closed out Cronulla offers better waves and some protection from southerlies. Off the southern end of the beach Cronulla Point has a series of surfable reefs. The inner reef starts to break at 2 m, the second at 3 m and the third at 4 m plus. Above 2 m this is a solid, hard right for only the experienced. Further along the rocks is Sandshoes a rock ledge that throws a short right. Finally 150 m off the point is Shark Island a rocky reef that can provide very hollow lefts and rights if you don't mind the rocks. Fishing conditions: Usually a quiet beach with safer rocks, and a place to head during heavy southerly conditions. Beach length (m): 300. Cronulla Life Saver Rescue Address: 2R Lugano Ave Phone: 0418299999 Email: excutive@offshore.org.au Website: www.offshore.org.au
NSW |
|
Beach Name: North Cronulla State/Region: New South Wales Beach number: NSW334D Club name: North Cronulla Address: Prince Street Email: surfing@northcronullasurfclub.com Website: www.northcronullasurfclub.com Beach hazard rating: High Tide: 7
Summary: This long beach from Greenhills to North Cronulla offers three surf clubs in the south, fronted by strong rips, with wave height gradually decreasing to the north as do the crowds. Most people prefer the more crowded south where the surf and all amenities are provided, particularly if coming by car, where they are joined by surfers arriving by train. For solitude head north. Description: The car park north of the Wanda Surf Club is about as far as the crowds go, it also marks the location where the waves really start to pick up, meaning more waves and more rips. Along this section of beach, all the way down to North Cronulla, not only are there rips every 200 m, but the bars that separate them are usually detached from the shore, with an often deep trough running between the bar and the shore. This combines with a relatively steep beach face and at times heavy to surging shorebreak, to produce a potentially hazardous beach. During and following big seas a second bar forms further offshore with more widely spaced rips, and a continuous trough runs between the beach and the first bar. The first surf club was formed at North Cronulla in 1924 to look after those people who wanted to bathe on 'The Big Beach'. Wanda followed in 1946, with Elouera squeezing in between the two in 1966; Sydney's newest club. The three clubs patrol a 1.5 km section of continuous beach, usually containing 8 to 10 rips. Combined they rescue 379 people annually; 94 at Wanda, 125 at Elouera and 160 at North Cronulla. While the number of rescues is a function of the large, often inexperienced summer crowds, it is definitely the troughs and rips that create the problems. At North Cronulla is an additional hazard, a permanent rip called The Alley, running out against the southern rocks. Swimming conditions: There are usually 10 rips along the patrolled section of beach, with 10 more up into Greenhills. While the southern rips are stronger you have the benefit of the surf clubs and the flags, which you should definitely stay between. When the bars are attached stay on them and away from the rips which usually lie to either side. When a trough runs between the beach and the bar check the side current and depth before attempting to swim out to the bar, as you can easily be swept into a rip. At North Cronulla the bars tend to be attached more often, which is helpful, but then stay clear of the Alley. If at all unsure then there is a rock pool on the southern rock platform. Surfing conditions: The deep rips and bars can combine to produce some excellent beach breaks right along the beach, however it depends on the waves, winds and bars. Best following big seas, east to south east swell and offshore winds. Elouera, The Wall and The Alley are some of the more popular spots, when working. Fishing conditions: While professional fishermen use nets off the northern section, the best beach fishing in the south where the rips produce good, deep gutters, and off the swimming pool. Beach length (m): 300 |
|
Club Cap |
|
Club Cap |
|
Understanding the ocean is very important - the more you know about how waves, wind and tides affect conditions in the water, the better able you are to keep yourself safe, or even rescue others, from danger. Recognising danger signs and awareness of surf conditions is an essential part of lifesaving. Remember the F-L-A-G-S and stay safe this summer…F Find the flags and swim between them - the red and yellow flags mark the safest place to swim at the beach. L Look at the safety signs - they help you identify potential dangers and daily conditions at the beach. A Ask a surf lifesaver for some good advice - surf conditions can change quickly so talk to a surf lifesaver or lifeguard before entering the water. G Get a friend to swim with you - so you can look out for each other's safety and get help if needed. Children should always be supervised by an adult. S Stick your hand up for help - if you get into trouble in the water, stay calm, raise your arm to signal for help. Float with a current or rip - don't try and swim against it. And remember – Never: Never swim at un-patrolled beaches The Surf EnvironmentRips A rip is a strong current running out to sea. Rips are the cause of most rescues performed at beaches. A rip usually occurs when a channel forms between the shore and a sandbar, and large waves have built up water which then returns to sea, causing a drag effect. The larger the surf, the stronger the rip. Rips are dangerous as they can carry a weak or tired swimmer out into deep water. Identifying a Rip The following features will alert you to the presence of a rip: · darker colour, indicating deeper water · murky brown water caused by sand stirred up off the bottom · smoother surface with much smaller waves, alongside white water (broken waves) · waves breaking further out to sea on both sides of the rip · debris floating out to sea · a rippled look, when the water around is generally calm. Surf Skills
· Don't Panic - stay calm · If you are a strong swimmer, swim at a 45 degree angle across the rip and in the same direction as the current until you reach the breaking wave zone, then return to shore · If you are a weak or tired swimmer, float with the current, don't fight it. Swim parallel to the shore for about 30 - 40m until you reach the breaking wave zone, then swim back to shore or signal for help. · Remember to stay calm and conserve your energy.
Negotiating the surf Before entering the surf, always make note of a landmark such as a building or headland that can be seen from the water and used as a guide for maintaining a fixed position. Also check the depth of any gutter and the height of any sandbank before diving under waves – this will help prevent spinal injury. When going out through the surf, negotiate the shallows by a high hurdle type of stride until the breakers reach your waist or until your progress is slowed. Waves of any size and force should not be fought against and should be negotiated by diving underneath, giving you time to reach the bottom and lie as flat as possible on the sand while the wave passes over. Your hands can be dug into the sand in front at arm's length for stability and as a pull forward when ready to surface. If the water is deep enough, bring your knees up under your body so you can get a good push off the bottom, like an uncoiling spring. This gives added force to your next dive. Repeat this process until in chest-deep water, then start swimming. If a broken wave approaches when the water is not too deep, dive down and run or crawl along the bottom. In deep water, do not use extra energy trying to reach the bottom; instead duckdive to just below the turbulence. Wait for the wash to pass and then push or kick to the surface (off the bottom, if possible). Stick to your predetermined path on the swim out. Check your position by occasionally raising your head for a quick look when swimming on top of a swell. Body Surfing Body surfing is riding waves without any equipment. You need skill to know how to catch the wave at the right time, using its energy for propulsion. The skills required to become a good body surfer come from just one thing: Practice. Spilling waves are best for body surfing, but if you can catch a plunging wave you can avoid injury by somersaulting out before it breaks. 1. As the wave is almost upon you, push off the bottom or start swimming toward shore until you feel the wave begin to lift and carry you. 2. As the wave breaks, take a breath, put your head down and kick hard until your body breaks through. Your feet should be together, your back arched slightly and your arms extended in front of you. As the wave becomes steeper, tilt forward and surf along the wave's face. 3. You will probably have to paddle a bit to hold your position on the wave. Try to keep your body straight. 4. As you approach the beach, pull out of the wave by turning your body away from the wave's breaking force, or jackknife dive and let the wave pass over your body. |
|
The dark water indicates a rip at this beach. |
Lifeguard Information and PATROL TIMES
|
Coast Guard Port Hacking NF4 |
|
"CG 041" - 8M Marlin Broadbill Catamaran with Twin 1.7 litre 120hp Turbo Charged Mercruiser Diesel inboards, 27mhz, VHF, GPS, sounder, fire pump, standard safety and first aid equipment |
|
For details on the Squadron or its Flotillas, |
Coast Guard SolanderLocation Area served |
|
Marine Information |
