Surfers learning dangers of St Clair beach

Surfers learning dangers of St Clair beach

Surfers are battling a dangerous coastline at this year's National Surf Championship.

It's not stopping them from getting in the water, but they want something done before someone gets hurt.

St Clair beach is hosting the week-long competition, but surfers are learning first-hand the rocky dangers of the beach.

"The access is kind of hard," says defending National Champion Billy Stairmand. "I got a little bit beaten up the other day trying to get out."

Footage emerged yesterday of a surfer caught at high tide.

The struggling tourist is seen being thrown a lifeline, but quickly disappears from sight as large waves violently crash him into the rocks.

Onlookers can only watch as he wrestles the waves to get to safety.

Engulfed by more waves, more rescuers, including Surf Life Savers, rush to help, though the lifesavers come down as a wave gets them.

The German tourist just narrowly escaped disaster.  

Changes to the sealine were made back in 2004, making way for trendy cafes and luxury hotels.

The council extended the wall out by a metre and added rocks, now creating a big backwash and man-made waves.

"[Because] the water can't turn and turn itself back out, it makes its way along the face of the wall instead of going back out to sea," says Chris Higgins, president of South Coast Boardriders.

Dunedin City Council says it's working to resolve the safety issues and may close access points depending on conditions.

"I think the council does accept there are some dangers getting access to this area," says Ian McCabe, Dunedin Council transport group manager.

"Conditions are a part of that and the council's role will be to try and make that as safe as possible."

Until then, surfers will just have to tough it out in the meantime and take on board the local advice –just get out of there when it's that rough.

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