Two drownings at beaches east of Canberra were among 43 fatalities on NSW beaches over summer - the highest number of deaths in 10 years - as the surf lifesaving season ended this week.
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Lifesavers on the south coast performed 153 rescues as more than 75,000 beach-goers hit the sand and surf on the south coast between December and April.
Far south coast director of lifesaving Andrew Edmunds said 2015/16 was one of the worst seasons on record in NSW, and the 43 drowning deaths were predominantly linked to swimming at unpatrolled locations, rip currents, and rock fishing.
"Rock fishing played a big part in that, and it overtook rip currents as a cause of drowning deaths, so it's a big problem," Mr Edmunds said.
Of those drowning deaths, two were on the far south coast.
Former world-class gymnast Zou Li Min drowned when he was swept off the rocks while fishing at Dark Beach in South Durras in September.
Another man later died in hospital after he was successfully revived at McKenzie's Beach, near Batemans Bay.
Mr Edmunds said the deaths followed last year's "fantastic and unprecedented" fatality-free season in the region.
There were three fatalities recorded during 2013/14 and eight in 2011/12 – the highest number in the state.
Visitor numbers to the region's beaches were up from last year's summer season, when an estimated 72,000 people hit the coast and lifesavers carried out about 70 rescues.
Mr Edmunds said warm temperatures that lasted well into autumn had pushed up crowd numbers and beaches had remained packed even on the Anzac Day public holiday.
"It was quite busy in February, we've had good weather right up until now, really, so beaches were busy past that January peak."
In addition to the rescues, lifesavers said they recorded more than 900 preventative actions, which might have led to a life threatening situation, and performed 99 first aid treatments at Malua Bay, Broulee, Moruya, Narooma, Bermagui, Tathra and Pambula.
Good surf and big crowds meant 110 rescues were carried out at Broulee beach, followed by Moruya with 21 and Narooma with 13.
Six beachgoers were rescued at Pambula, while two were rescued at Batemans Bay. Dangerous surf conditions led to 38 beach closures.
Mr Edmunds praised surf lifesaving volunteers, many of which travelled to the coast from the ACT to help handle the annual summer influx of holidaymakers.
"Without their hard work and dedication no doubt more lives would have been lost," he said.
"It's been a very long and busy year and we're looking forward to a well-earned rest."
Far south coast beaches won't be patrolled again until the start of the surf lifesaving season in September, however crews and Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter will still be available in emergencies.
"There is still a presence, it's just not frontline lifesavers on the beach."
Mr Edmunds warned people against swimming alone while beaches were unpatrolled and encouraged beach visitors to check conditions, stay calm if they got into trouble and raise an alert as soon as possible.
