Huge waves and destructive tides see mass erosion at the Gold Coast
Huge waves and destructive tides are carving away the coastline at the Gold Coast today, as a surging cyclone swell begins to make landfall.
Hundreds of surfers flocked to Burleigh Heads, all eager to catch the first swell of 2021.
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Surfers make the most of huge waves at Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast. 9News
Hundreds of surfers flocked to Burleigh Heads, all eager to catch the first swell of 2021. 9News
"Yeah it was pretty fun, got some sick ones, about three to four foot (0.9 to 1.2 metres) on the sets so it was pretty nice," local surfer Blake Weis told 9News.
"I've been out there since 7 this morning – I've done that the last four days in a row."
Lifeguards are keeping beaches open but urging caution for anyone entering the water.
"The easterly swells are always more powerful and conditions close to shore, there's water moving around all the time," local lifeguard Chris Maynard said.
"The rips are strong currents are running really fiercely.
"It's always really important to stay well inside those flagged areas and stay nice and close because you can be swept out to see quite easily."
READ MORE: Byron Bay's famous beach has almost disappeared
High tides eat away at the Gold Coast coastline. 9News
Rough conditions are expected to continue in the coming days. 9News
At Narrowneck, Surfers Paradise, the ocean is swallowing the beach as high tide eats away the foreshore, which City of Gold Coast Council says is the worst of the erosion.
It comes as the coastline is still recovering after being battered by summer superstorms.
The rough conditions are here to stay with the swell is expected to build over the coming days.
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