Busy day for lifeguards on Gold Coast

Beaches have been closed and one man taken to hospital after a busy day for lifeguards on Gold Coast beaches.

A combination of heavy surf, hot weather and weekend crowds kept lifeguards busy across the coast on Saturday.

Swimmers were rescued at several beaches while one 52-year-old man was dragged from the surf at Tallebudgera and taken to Gold Coast University Hospital.

Staff at the hospital were unable to provide an update on the man's condition.

Surfers Paradise beach was closed briefly during the middle of the day while a shark sighting at Coolangatta forced that beach's closure shortly after 3pm (AEST).

Lifeguards are warning beachgoers to heed their advice and take extreme caution throughout the weekend after a 36-year-old body boarder from Brisbane died after being dumped in raging surf at Broadbeach on Thursday.

"It's really important that beachgoers put their safety first at all times and always stay within their limits, particularly if they aren't confident in the water," Surf Life Saving Queensland's services coordinator Nathan Fife said.

Conditions are expected to improve slightly on Sunday but strong winds and heavy swells are still forecast.