Grim warning issued to Aussies heading to Bronte Beach this summer – and why you should leave the water at 7pm
An urgent warning has been issued to beachgoers about the unforgiving nature of ocean rips and the worst time to swim.
The Bronte Surf Life Saving Club in New South Wales shared a photo of the beach from above to show the dangerous and permanent rip current at the southern end in full force.
Although the ‘calm’ gap in the waves often looks ‘inviting’, rescuers warned it is the most dangerous place to swim – especially after 7pm, when the guards go home for the day. The warning was issued after the latest in a series of rescues at 8 p.m.
The club published a warning on social media, reminding swimmers that ‘green water is not good water’ and that they should consider swapping the sea for the ocean pool once the patrol period is over.
The crack can be thought of as a water passage or ‘river of the sea’ between breaking waves. The current is so strong that even the best swimmers have difficulty fighting it.
The Bronte Surf Life Saving Club in New South Wales shared a photo of the beach from above, where a dangerous and permanent crack (left of the image) appears to be the most attractive place for swimming
The club published a warning on social media, reminding swimmers that ‘green water is not good water’ and that they should consider swapping the sea for an ocean pool once the patrol period is over.
‘Where the beach looks the most inviting, Bronte is the most dangerous place in Sydney right now!’ read the message.
‘Where you see white water and waves, usually to the north, that’s where the red and yellow flags go up. It’s the place where the waves often push you back to shore.’
The reason why there are no flags at the south end of Bronte Beach is because there are permanent cracks there.
“The green water on the south side is where all the water escapes and goes back into the sea (along with the people unfortunately) and this is the No Swim area at Bronte,” the post continued.
‘Let’s make life a little easier for the Lifeguards, Lifesavers and local surfers by only swimming between the red and yellow flags or, if you are a weak swimmer, jumping into the pool.
“Lifeguards leave the beach at 7 p.m., and this is when we ask that you avoid the ocean, but use the pool and stay safe this summer.”
The reason why there are no flags at the south end of Bronte Beach is because there are permanent cracks there
According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationThe rip currents can be narrow or hundreds of feet long, and are often referred to by lifeguards as “drowning machines.”
The post was ‘liked’ by more than 2,500 people and hundreds left a comment.
“This information should be shared and displayed on ALL inbound international flights to Australia,” one person said.
Another wrote: ‘Thanks for this great photo and green is a mean reference. I swam at Bronte every summer growing up and have never heard that expression before. I will now take note of this on the beaches of my hometown, Port Macquarie.”