Missing Surf Life Saving veteran a 'strong swimmer'

The search will resume this morning for a Surf Life Saving veteran who went missing while swimming at a beach on the New South Wales far north coast. 

Raz Butronwood, 69, has not been seen since entering the water at Ballina's Lighthouse Beach yesterday on his daily morning swim.

"He is one of those kind of guys that can sort of predict any rip, the size of the wave and how he moves himself through the water," Ballina Surf Club's Benjamin Coulter said.

Crews spent the day searching for the 69-year-old yesterday, who has been described as a local legend and strong swimmer.

"Just after 10.15 emergency services were called to Lighthouse Beach at Ballina after reports of a missing swimmer," NSW Police told 9news.com.au.

"Witnesses have told police that a 69-year-old man entered the water and had not been seen since."

Local police, marine area command, SES, ambulance, surf lifesavers, marine rescue, and the Westpac lifesaver helicopter have all been taking part in the search.

His friends said he loves nothing more than being out in the ocean, but conditions were somewhat challenging yesterday.