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Victoria’s tourism agency has deleted a social media update that labeled an unpatrolled ocean beach on the Mornington Peninsula a “pristine swimming area” amidst nearly 150 rescues occurring at the state’s beaches on Saturday.
Number 16 beach, located on the Bass Strait side of Rye, is characterized on the Visit Victoria website as “recommended for skilled surfers only” since it lacks lifesaving patrols. It is regarded as hazardous by local residents.
A woman, residing on the peninsula, informed Guardian Australia that a post on Visit Melbourne’s Instagram account on Friday—marking the beginning of a weekend heatwave—termed the spot a “pristine swimming area.” The phrasing was subsequently modified to “pristine beach” before the post was eliminated entirely.
The Instagram account boasts 1.1 million followers.
The woman, preferring to remain unnamed, noted that the post—a video depicting water flowing over rocks on the beach—was taken down after she contacted Visit Victoria on Saturday morning.
Drew Cooper, a representative of the Mornington Peninsula Back Beaches Collective, mentioned that the rock pool at the surf beach is a favorite among photographers.
“As the sun sets, photographers flock to the reef, eagerly awaiting the ideal shot,” he remarked. “It has gained significant attention on social media—people urging everyone to visit the area.”
Cooper indicated that the beach lacks adequate signage warning about its dangers, including sudden waves and the absence of rescue gear.
Some locals have taken it upon themselves to create signs to distribute at hazardous beaches along the peninsula, he added.
Upon being approached by Guardian Australia, a spokesperson for Visit Victoria stated that community safety is their foremost concern.
“In light of community apprehension regarding a post about Number 16 Beach, we opted to remove it,” they explained.
On February 20, 20-year-old Jona Kinivuwai was swept away from the shore at Number 16. His body has yet to be recovered.
His mother informed Guardian Australia that Jona and his two companions had been running in and out of the surf before he stumbled and was dragged into the water.
Guardian Australia reported that Jona and his friends had chosen to visit the beach after viewing videos of it on TikTok.
Kane Treloar, the state agency commander at Life Saving Victoria, stated that Saturday saw 145 rescues carried out and 60 medical incidents logged.
“We cannot recall a day when we were this busy and that many Victorians required our assistance,” he expressed to reporters on Sunday.
In the financial year 2023-24, LSV recorded a historic 849 rescues—an increase from 697 in the prior reporting period.
Treloar mentioned that lifesavers had conducted two mass rescues at Portsea, located on the Mornington Peninsula, and at Jan Juc in Torquay. Lifesavers extricated nine and 10 individuals, respectively, from rip currents.
Two teenagers were hospitalized on Saturday following a collision between a jetski and a boat at Safety Beach on Mornington Peninsula. Both are currently in stable condition.
On Friday evening, a man lost his life after being found unresponsive at a beach in Rye.
Treloar cautioned that swimmers are increasingly seeking out secluded areas. He urged them to stick to patrolled beaches.
Visit Melbourne’s website mentions the “breathtaking rock formations” at Number 16 beach, featuring “Dragon Head Rock.”
It cautions visitors to be mindful of tides and perilous surf conditions.
“The sandy beach is a scenic location for a walk or to relax and observe the sunset,” the website states.
“The beach is not monitored and is only suitable for experienced surfers.”
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