Lifesavers, including an off-duty police officer, detained a man on the Sunshine Coast on Anzac Day after three women alleged they were inappropriately touched while in the water.
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Surf Life Saving Queensland spokesman Jacob Thomson said volunteer lifesavers at Caloundra were approached by a member of the public, who complained about the man.
Police were called, but while officers were en route, several more members of the public approached lifesavers and alleged the man had inappropriately touched people in the water.
Mr Thomson said the lifesavers at Kings Beach approached the man in question as he came out of the water and detained him on the sand until police arrived.
"This is not a situation we have regularly and it was challenging for our volunteers, but we were fortunate to have a police officer among our volunteer patrol group," Mr Thomson said.
"We request police assistance regularly but mostly for different things such as surfers in the flags we're trying to move on and drinking on the beach.
"It has been very rare for us to have an incident like this occur, especially in my time.
"Being a public holiday there was also a larger crowd on the beach, including young children."
Police said in a statement that a 59-year-old man had been charged with three counts of indecent assault after the alleged incidents between 11am and 12.30pm on Wednesday at Caloundra.
He was expected to appear in the Caloundra Magistrates Court next Wednesday.
