Snapper Rocks Swallows Man, Surfers Face $16k Fines (Video)
It was fun while it lasted.
While Tropical Cyclone Alfred approached the eastern seaboard of Australia, it brought with it some historically epic surf to the Gold Coast and, in particular, the sand-bottomed tube treadmill of Kirra. Jack Robinson, Mick Fanning, and many others enjoyed a slew of cavernous, extra-long pits.
Now, with the category 2 storm nearing landfall, things are looking a little different, with coastal erosion, sketchy rogue waves, and dangerous conditions for all. Officials are warning against beachgoers and surfers from getting close to the action, like this guy below at Snapper Rocks.
In fact, the Gold Coast City Council is threatening surfers and beachgoers with a $16,000 fine for acting recklessly during the heavy storm conditions. A spokesperson said:
" Although the large waves may be exciting to witness, we need everyone to stay well away from coastal areas for your own safety. No photograph or video is worth your life.
"Increasing winds will see conditions deteriorate further and conditions become more dangerous.
"We have seen several people involved in incidents because of the hazardous surf conditions including falls from rock walls and being swept out in the surf."Elsewhere, scenes of heavy seas washing into residential areas, and catching humans in the process, are also pouring in. Like cars being washed out to sea, and a woman and her dog, who narrowly made an escape as the ocean grew angry and nearly swept them away.
Natalie Edwards, Surf Life Saving Queensland lifesaving services manager, warned:
"We are experiencing erosion along Gold Coast beaches already that has created cliff drops of up to two meters in highly populated areas of Surfers Paradise, Main Beach down to Burleigh and Coolangatta.
"Now is not the time to head to the beach for a look, especially with young children who may be pulled out by the fast moving tides that are encroaching on walkways and areas that normally would be far from the water.
"Please don't put at risk emergency services personnel because you want to venture out in these conditions."
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