Searches resume for two people missing at NSW beaches after spate of drownings

Search and rescue missions will resume today for two people who went missing at NSW beaches yesterday.

A man in his 20s was swimming with a group of friends at Sydney's Coogee Beach just after 6am yesterday and was last seen struggling in the water.

Further north at Palm Beach, a search is also resuming for a 14-year-old boy who went missing after his boat capsized on New Year's Eve.

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A man he was with was saved, but another man died at the scene.

That man was one of three people who have died over the past two days in hazardous beach conditions on beaches across NSW.

A 25-year-old Chinese tourist drowned just after 4am at Maroubra and a 45-year-old woman near Port Macquarie was unable to be revived after being pulled from the water at Dunbogan Beach in the afternoon.

More hazardous conditions are expected today, prompting authorities to issue a stark warning to stay out of the water.

Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steve Pearce yesterday said there had been a surge in rescues up and down the coast in recent days.

"This spate of drownings and rescues have caught everyone off guard over the new year's period," Pearce said.

"We are pleading for people - do not enter the water today, if that beach is closed."

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