With its close proximity to Cowes, Berrys Beach is growing in popularity, but lifesavers describe it as a "transverse bar rip" beach, with strong rips which sweep out into the ocean.
Last summer, six people tragically lost their lives at beaches across the Bass Coast, as drowning figures across the country continue to rise.
This summer, the Advertiser's summer safety series highlights some of the island's most dangerous beaches for visitors and anyone not familiar with local conditions.
This week, we speak to local lifesavers about Berrys Beach.
Often described as a hidden gem, Berrys Beach is a much-loved surf break for local island surfers and is not patrolled by lifesavers. A 10-minute drive from Cowes, in recent years the beach has become more popular with tourists and visitors.
While there have been no fatal drownings at Berrys in the last 10 years, the beach's growing popularity and visitation numbers have meant there have been several near-misses. The beach is a "transverse bar rip" beach, with strong rips which sweep out into the ocean and can increase with swell and certain conditions.
Sean "Preds" Carney has been heavily involved with the Woolamai Beach Surf Lifesaving Club (WBSLSC) for nearly 15 years and has lived on the island for the past decade.
Across his lifesaving career Preds has been involved in multiple mass rescues, both inside and outside of patrol hours. The former lifeguard and jetski operator has also played a leading role in several callouts — where lifesavers responded to incidents outside of their designated patrolling areas and times.
Preds said that Berrys' proximity to Cowes can make the beach a hot spot for beachgoers through the summer.
"Berrys is probably one of the closest surf beaches from Cowes," the veteran lifesaver said.
"I've pulled a few people out of (the water) there."
When working on the Life Saving Victoria (LSV) jetskis, Preds was patrolling island beaches from the sea. As a mobile roving patrol, the LSV jetskis are able to "drop-in" to different beaches on the island to assess conditions and respond to emergencies where necessary.
Preds says on one patrol, his team arrived at Berrys Beach to see two young boys caught in a rip.
"When we were on the jetskis, just by chance we pulled up (to Berrys) and there were two young boys stuck in a rip out the back," Preds said.
"It was freakish how lucky those boys were. We were just in the right place at the right time."
Leading into summer, Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club (WBSLSC) President Jason Close is urging people to only swim at patrolled beaches, at patrolled times.
Berrys Beach was identified by the Club President as one of the most high-risk beaches on the island.
"The safest option is only to swim at a patrolled beach, between the flags, during patrol hours," Jason said.
"It makes so much sense to swim at a patrolled beach, and no sense not to."
Rock fishing
Berrys Beach is also a popular rock-fishing location, and prominent signs on the staircase down the beach mandate life jackets are worn while fishing.
Berrys is designated as a high-risk zone for rock-fishing by the Victorian Fisheries Agency (VFA), and fines apply for rock-fishing without a lifejacket.
According to the LSV annual drowning report, 50 per cent of all those who fatally drowned from a boating or rock-fishing incident in the last year were not wearing a lifejacket.
Fifty-four per cent of all fishing-related deaths since 2014-15 also involved people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.
If someone falls in the water, or is washed into the ocean, the VFA states, don't panic, stay calm and swim away from the rocks.
Do not jump in if someone is washed into the water, instead:
- Throw a rope or something that floats, including a life ring (if available) to the person
- Dial Triple Zero (000) or 112 on your mobile phone or go to find other people to help
Before heading to the beach this summer, download the BeachSafe app at beachsafe.org.au/apps
READ MORE:
