Hazardous surf caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle continues to pose dangers for beachgoers, with a 75-year-old man dying after being pulled unconscious from the ocean at Nambucca Heads on the NSW Mid North Coast.
Emergency services arrived just before 1pm on Sunday following reports a man was struck by a wave at Shelly Beach.
Several witnesses entered the surf and brought the man to the beach.
He was taken to Coffs Harbour Hospital where he died later that afternoon.
Twenty-two people have died from drowning at NSW beaches since the start of summer.
Many NSW beaches were closed on Sunday due to a hazardous surf warning, which remains in place on Monday.
Surf Lifesaving Mid North Coast president Rod McDonagh said several rescues occurred yesterday including one serious incident where paramedics had to be called to assist a teenage girl at a beach at South West Rocks.
Mr McDonagh said the girl was pulled out by powerful waves and swallowed a significant amount of water, but was revived.
"The best way to describe it is like a bit of a tsunami surge because you get a big set of waves come in and it doesn't take much for that water going back out to knock a kid off their feet or even an elderly person," he said.
Mr McDonagh has urged people to heed warnings as dangerous conditions persist over the coming days.
"It was a bit disappointing that we had a few instances where our lifeguards were challenged or abused by members of the public," he said.
"When we close the beach it's not because we want to, it's because we have assessed the additional risks, and with the swell and surge it is extra dangerous."
Conditions caused by ex-Cyclone Gabrielle
Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said the hazardous surf warning for NSW was expected to remain in place until Tuesday.
"The prime driver of this is now ex-Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle. It is still a very deep and intense system sitting near the north island of New Zealand," Mr Narramore said.
"The cyclone, and now low, has been driving some really big swell out to sea ... creating big waves every 10 to 12 seconds with a lot of power.
"This is leading to hazardous beach conditions and also some minor coastal erosion particularly for beaches facing due east."
While the hazardous surf warning remains in place, NSW Police and Marine Area Command advised people to avoid swimming or walking near surf exposed areas.
Rock fishers were advised to avoid coastal rock platforms and boaters were urged to reconsider their trips or ensure they were carrying safety equipment.
