HEAVEN & SWELL
MAD Hueys surfer Dean Harrington hadn’t ridden a wave in a year after breaking his ankle but made this triumphant return yesterday filming it on his GoPro for the perfect view inside the greenroom. He was just one of thousands to take advantage of the massive 3m swell whipped up by Tropical Cyclone Gita including movie star Chris Hemsworth and surfing champions Joel Parkinson, Taj Burrow and Mark Occhilupo.
NICHOLAS MCELROY, AMANDA ROBBEMOND AND HANNAH SBEGHEN
THUNDEROUS surf from Tropical Cyclone Gita dragged shark nets from their anchors, smashed surfboards, and at least one jet ski, and caused a woman’s face to be badly cut at the weekend.
Lifesavers expect Gold Coast beaches will be closed again today after waves up to 3m shut beaches across the city with the exception of Rainbow Bay and Greenmount Beach.
Conditions were so rough two men had to be rescued by a helicopter after crashing their jet ski in dangerous conditions off the Jumpinpin Bar at the northern end of South Stradbroke Island yesterday because Volunteer Marine Rescue crews could not make it out to sea.
One man managed to swim to shore but the second man, aged 51, was winched by the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter and taken to Gold Coast University Hospital.
He spent about two hours in the surging waves.
In total, Surf Life Saving Queensland recorded 57 rescues across Queensland beaches yesterday.
Remarkably only one rescue was performed on the Gold Coast according to operations co-ordinator Nathan Fife who said an 18-year-old woman found herself in trouble off Coolangatta Beach.
Mr Fife urged beachgoers to keep out of the water with more powerful conditions expected today.
“It looks like the strong surf will continue again today,” he said.
“Most people have done the right thing and kept out of the water but we urge all beachgoers to be careful, even the walkers and spectators with the surges on to beaches during the high tides.”
A tourist learned this the hard way when she was swept off her feet and slammed into rocks while watching the waves at Snapper Rocks on Saturday.
Witnesses described the lacerations to her forehead as “gruesome”.
She was taken to Tweed Hospital after receiving first aid treatment from lifesavers and onlookers.
Mr Fife said the waves had been so powerful they dragged the anchors of Gold Coast shark nets towards beaches.
WE URGE ALL BEACHGOERS TO BE CAREFUL, EVEN THE WALKERS AND SPECTATORS NATHAN FIFE
“They’ve been moved in a little,” he said.
Council said it was well prepared for any erosion caused by the cyclone swell.
It comes after 2000 cubic metres of sand was controversially shifted from Greenmount to Coolangatta earlier this month for the Commonwealth Games.
“Stakeholders who are involved in the management of Gold Coast beaches, or preparing for GC2018 are aware of the forecast conditions and have plans in place to respond to the weather,” a council spokeswoman said.