NSW drownings prompt calls to extend lifeguard services on national park beaches

Three people drowned on unpatrolled beaches in the Central Coast on Wednesday. (ABC Central Coast: Keira Proust)

New South Wales Surf Life Saving is calling for beach patrols to be expanded in national parks across the state following the death of a husband and wife on a Central Coast beach.

The local couple, believed to be from nearby Munmorah, died on Wednesday afternoon.

The man, believed to be in his 30s, attempted to rescue his wife when she got into difficulty at the notoriously dangerous Frazer beach.

Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steve Pearce said the drownings had prompted them to start "serious conversations" with the National Parks and Wildlife Service about extending lifeguard services.

"If hundreds or thousands of people are going to visit these locations, we need to ensure that we have some form of appropriate water safety there," he said.

"Our people have responded to some terrible drownings over the past five years in that location."

Frazer Beach is only patrolled over the Christmas and Easter holiday periods.

Steve Pearce wants to see lifeguard patrols expanded in NSW. (Supplied: Facebook)

Surf Life Saving said another person, a man aged in his 60s, also died at an unpatrolled beach on the Central Coast on Wednesday.

It is believed he had a medical episode in the water at Forresters Beach and was unable to be resuscitated.

Quarter of drownings occur at national parks

There have been 19 drownings across the state's coastline this summer, making it the highest number in NSW history.

Mr Pearce said about one quarter of all coastal drownings in the state occur in national parks.

"Frazer Park is just one of the national parks where we see a lot of drownings," he said.

"So, it's a risk."

Surf Life Saving said Frazer Beach had some notorious rips. (ABC Central Coast: Keira Proust)

He said Frazer Beach was notorious among surf lifesavers.

"It has some notorious rips, it's isolated and it's dangerous," he said.

Lake Munmorah local Terry Bridge said the area had a history of drownings.

"Everyone knows about the area. People have been drowning here for years," he said.

"They should put lifeguards out here I suppose."

Local resident Luke said he'd like to see more education about beach safety. (ABC Central Coast: Keira Proust)

Another local resident and surfer Luke said more education was needed.

"It's patrolled in summer, which is good, and it is a popular surfing beach so there are often people here," he said.

"But I think education around the surfing is always going to be a massive issue around the east coast of Australia."

Surf Life Saving NSW have urged people to swim at patrolled beaches.

The married couple are yet to be formally identified.