Two people drowned on Central Coast beaches on Christmas Day.
In the third confirmed drowning of the Summer, a man drowned at Umina Beach early on Christmas Day.
At around 11am the Surf Life Saving NSW State Operations Centre (SOC) was notified of an incident unfolding at Umina Beach SLSC where a surfer was witnessed going under water some 600m from the flagged area by family members.
The man was pulled from the water unconscious and not breathing by members of the public, who commenced CPR before patrol members from Umina took over.
Paramedics arrived shortly after and continued CPR but the man was declared deceased at the scene.
A second man drowned later on Christmas Day at Copacabana.
At around 5pm the Surf Life Saving NSW State Operations Centre (SOC) was notified of an incident unfolding at Copacabana SLSC where a male, described as being in his 80s, had been pulled unconscious and not breathing from the ocean by members of the public around 250m from the red and yellow flags.
The location was observed by patrolling members to have a rip.
Volunteer surf lifesavers rushed to the location to take over CPR.
Paramedics arrived shortly after but the man was declared dead at the scene.
It was the fourth critical incident in a 24-hour period, following the earlier drowning at Umina Beach and two further incidents at Lennox head and Culburra Beach.
All of the incidents occurred outside the red and yellow flags or in unpatrolled locations.
Surf Life Saving NSW has ramped up appeals for beachgoers to swim safely.
NSW has averaged six coastal drowning deaths during the month of December over the past five years.
Thus far this summer, there have now been four confirmed coastal drownings.
Swimmers are urged to: always swim between the red and yellow patrol flags; read the safety signs for information about the beach;
always swim with someone else; and never swim under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
If you need help in the water, stay calm and attract attention by raising one arm.
In an emergency, dial Triple Zero.
For information about patrol times, weather, and beach locations visit the Beachsafe Website or Download the App.