Surf Lifesaving Far North Coast - Rescue Services

08/10/2026

SAFETY ALERT – SOUTH BEACH, BRUNSWICK HEADS.

Surf Life Saving Far North Coast has been advised by authorities early this morning of a juvenile whale carcass that has washed ashore at South Beach, Brunswick Heads.

Members of the public are asked to remain clear of the area while authorities assess the situation and make arrangements for the safe removal of the whale.

Caution should be exercised when swimming, surfing or entering the water in the area. Members of the public are encouraged to follow any directions or exclusion zones established by authorities.

The presence of a whale carcass can attract sharks and other marine wildlife, and increased caution is recommended until the area has been cleared.

Please share this alert with family and friends who may be visiting the area.

SLS FNC Branch
Surf Life Saving NSW
Surf Lifesaving Far North Coast - Rescue Services
Brunswick SLSC
Byron Shire Council
ABC North Coast

04/10/2026

Rescue Services respond to fatal incident off Yamba.

Sunday, 4 October 2026

At approximately 10:40 am on Sunday, 4 October 2026, Far North Coast Surf Life Saving Rescue Services jet ski patrols located an unconscious male in the water off Convent Beach, Yamba.

Rescue personnel immediately responded and, with assistance from Yamba Surf Life Saving Club, the man was recovered from the water and brought to shore, where CPR was commenced.

Emergency services, including NSW Ambulance, NSW Police and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter medical team, attended and assisted with resuscitation efforts.

Despite the efforts of emergency services and rescue personnel, sadly, resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful and the man was pronounced deceased.

NSW Police are conducting further inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Far North Coast Surf Life Saving Branch & Rescue Services extends its condolences to the man’s family and friends at this difficult time.

SLS FNC Branch
Surf Life Saving NSW
Surf Lifesaving Far North Coast - Rescue Services
Yamba Surf Lifesaving Club

03/10/2026

SAFETY ALERT — CLARENCE RIVER

SLS Far North Coast Rescue Services are increasing surveillance and monitoring in the Clarence River following reports of a deceased humpback whale grounded on a sandbar approximately 6 nautical miles upstream, opposite the northern tip of Palmers Island.

Whale carcasses can attract increased shark activity, and this activity may extend beyond the immediate location of the carcass into surrounding waterways.

Water users are urged to:

* Avoid swimming, surfing, diving and spearfishing in the vicinity.
* Exercise increased caution when entering the water in surrounding areas.
* Do not approach, touch or interfere with the whale carcass.
* Follow directions and advice from Surf Life Saving and other relevant authorities.
* Check for the latest local safety updates before entering the water.

SLS Far North Coast Rescue Services will maintain increased surveillance of the area and monitor conditions for any changes in marine activity.

Please share this alert with other water users and members of the community.

Stay informed. Stay safe.

SLS FNC Branch
Surf Life Saving NSW

28/09/2026

BEACH CLOSURE & MARINE LIFE ALERT

Beachgoers are reminded of the potential for increased marine life activity in the area following a humpback whale carcass washing ashore between South Golden Beach and Wooyung.

The beach is closed to swimmers and surfers in the affected area.

We ask everyone to remain clear of the area while NPWS works to safely remove it today.
SLS FNC Branch
Surf Lifesaving Far North Coast - Rescue Services

28/09/2026

🏅 CONGRATULATIONS DAVID ROPE ESM 🏅

Yesterday, Sunday 28 September, Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Club, Surf Life Saving Far North Coast Branch & Surf Lifesaving New South Wales member David Rope was presented with the Emergency Services Medal (ESM).

David was recognised in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours for distinguished service as a member of an Australian emergency service — an honour that recognises more than three decades of dedicated service to Surf Life Saving and the wider community.

David has contributed over 30 years of service and more than 4,000 frontline patrolling and incident-response hours. Throughout that time, he has held numerous leadership roles within Cudgen Headland SLSC and the Far North Coast Branch, including serving multiple terms as Branch Secretary and Director of Lifesaving.

His contribution extends well beyond the beach. David has played a significant role in developing lifesaving operations across the Far North Coast, mentoring countless volunteers, strengthening operational capability and helping build effective relationships with other emergency services.

His calm and methodical approach to complex incidents has been particularly evident during major emergencies. During the devastating Northern NSW floods in March 2022, David served as a Forward Commander, coordinating hundreds of deployed members, resources and equipment while working alongside multiple emergency service agencies. His local knowledge, leadership and decision-making were instrumental in the coordinated response and rescue effort. (Governor-General of Australia)

David has also continued to make an enormous contribution to the development of Far North Coast Rescue Services, helping ensure our members are prepared to respond to some of the most challenging incidents encountered across our coastline.

For those who know David, his own words perhaps best describe his commitment:

“I never seek recognition, I volunteer because I believe in giving back and helping others.”

That spirit of service is exactly what this medal represents.

From all of us at Surf Life Saving Far North Coast, and the wider Surf Life Saving community — congratulations David on this incredibly well-deserved recognition.

Your commitment, leadership, knowledge and willingness to support others have made an enormous difference to our movement and, most importantly, to the communities we serve.

Congratulations David Rope ESM — a remarkable recognition for an exceptional lifesaver and emergency service volunteer. 👏🇦🇺

SLS FNC Branch
Surf Lifesaving Far North Coast - Rescue Services
Surf Life Saving NSW
Cudgen Headland SLSC

27/09/2026

🚁 Lifesaver 45 – Swimmer Rescued at Fingal

At approximately 2:30pm this afternoon, our colleagues from Surf Life Saving Queensland aboard Lifesaver 45 were conducting routine surveillance patrols within the northern end of the Far North Coast Branch when they identified a male swimmer in distress approximately 50 metres south of the Fingal Sand Pumping Jetty.

Due to the location and nature of the incident, the crew of Lifesaver 45 elected to conduct a winch rescue, safely recovering the male from the water before relocating him to the safety of the beach.

Thankfully, the male was uninjured following the incident.

This incident highlights the extent, capability and professionalism of Surf Life Saving across both Queensland and New South Wales, with crews working seamlessly across state borders to ensure the safety of beachgoers and swimmers.

🏖️ Our message remains simple:
✅ Swim between the red and yellow flags
✅ Swim at a patrolled beach
✅ Listen to the advice of lifeguards and lifesavers
✅ If you’re unsure, ask a lifesaver before entering the water

A huge thank you to the crew of Lifesaver 45 for their professional response and commitment to keeping our communities safe.

Queensland and NSW Surf Life Saving — working together to keep people safe in Northern NSW & SEQ🚁🌊.

SLS FNC Branch
Surf Lifesaving Far North Coast - Rescue Services
Surf Life Saving Queensland
SLSNSW

27/09/2026

Far North Coast Surf Lifesaving Rescue Services responded to a serious incident at the Iron Peg, Boulders Beach, Skinners Head, on Saturday morning, following reports of three people in distress after being swept from the rocks while rock fishing.

At approximately 8.06am, emergency services were alerted to the incident, with Ballina and Lennox Head Surf Life Saving Club Emergency Response Teams, together with Far North Coast Surf Lifesaving Rescue Services, responding to the location.

Rescue crews located and assisted in the recovery of two males from the water. The first male was successfully assisted from the water by a local surfer, who was able to reach the man before emergency services arrived.

All three males were assessed at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being transported to hospital for further observation.

NSW Police, NSW Ambulance, Westpac 2 Ambulance Helicopter and SLS FNC Duty Officer were also in attendance.

The incident highlights the importance of an effective and coordinated emergency response, with Surf Life Saving assets and emergency services working together to rapidly locate, recover and provide care to those in distress.

A strong response from local Surf Life Saving members and emergency services helped ensure all three people were safely removed from the immediate danger.

SLS FNC Branch
Surf Lifesaving Far North Coast - Rescue Services
SLSNSW

20/09/2026

Far North Coast Surf Lifesaving Rescue Services responded to a serious incident at Cabarita Beach on Saturday afternoon, supporting NSW Police and NSW Ambulance following reports of an unresponsive swimmer being located in the water.

At approximately 12.30pm, emergency services were called to the scene after surfers located a man in the water and members of the public commenced CPR.

Surf Life Saving Rescue Services personnel attended and assisted NSW Police and NSW Ambulance with the response, including supporting the extrication of the patient from the beach to awaiting emergency services.

The man was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being transported to Tweed Valley Hospital, where he sadly later died.

Our thoughts are with the man’s family and friends, as well as the members of the public and emergency service personnel involved in the response.

NSW Police have commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, and a report will be prepared for the NSW Coroner. SLS FNC Branch SLSNSW

09/06/2026

25/12/2025

Good work Gary Raso, text book.

SLS FNC Branch
Surf Life Saving NSW