Water safety
‘You wait your whole life for these days’: Big-wave surfers enjoy Sydney’s huge swell
A rare, extended period of large surf is pummelling the NSW coastline and while most people are staying well clear, a few surfers are cashing in.
- by Josh Dye
Latest
‘Slim’ chance of finding missing fisherman, 19, swept off rocks at Port Kembla
The man had been fishing with his friends, aged 17 and 50, who said he was hit by a large wave and was washed off the rocks into the sea.
- by Mary Ward and Josh Dye
‘Our hearts still break’: Coroner urges safety upgrades after father and son lifesavers drown
Ross Powell, 71, and his 32-year-old son Andrew died after their boat flipped while they attempted to save a tourist in rough seas off Sherbrook beach, near the Twelve Apostles on Victoria’s south-west coast, on Easter Sunday in 2019.
- by Erin Pearson
Man in 50s dies after paddleboard found floating off Palm Beach
The discovery of the paddleboard at about midday on Sunday sparked a search of an area near Barrenjoey Headland at the northern end of Palm Beach.
- by Matt O'Sullivan
Back in the water with one eye out for danger signs
Sasha Jenner was swimming at a reopened Little Bay today, following a fatal shark attack this week. He was philosophical about any dangers.
- by Julie Power and Megan Gorrey
Exclusive
Sharks
Councils were promised high-tech shark deterrents this summer. They’re only now being deployed
Not one of the so-called SMART drumlines – an effective way of catching and releasing sharks – was deployed in Sydney until after 35-year-old Simon Nellist was fatally attacked by a large white shark at Little Bay.
- by Julie Power
Opinion
Sharks
Why a great white shark was swimming off a Sydney beach
Sharks are not human-seeking missiles and the death of Simon Nellist was a tragic example of a case of mistaken identity.
- by Dr Vanessa Pirotta
Marine experts stress rarity of shark bites following Little Bay fatality
Based on eyewitness accounts and video footage, experts believe that a white shark was probably responsible.
- by Laura Chung and Julie Power
Opinion
Shark
‘I never blamed the sharks that bit me’: A personal response to the Sydney shark tragedy
The noted conservationist and filmmaker says sharks do not swim around thinking they want to bite humans. We intrude into their world.
- by Valerie Taylor
Little Bay shark attack cancels Malabar Magic Ocean Swim
Organisers called off the event, which raises funds for disabled children, out of respect for the deceased man’s family and community trepidation.
- by Josh Dye
‘Twenty seconds is all it takes’: Doubling in toddler drownings amid lockdowns
Parents are being urged to focus on water safety after a national report found 294 people drowned in 2020-21, with an estimated 674 people involved in non-fatal water incidents.
- by Andrew Taylor