Surf Life Saving NSW emphasises beach safety message after seventh drowning within six days

The period from February 7-13 saw three coastal drownings on the state's Central Coast, and one on the North Coast, on Sydney's Northern Beaches, and on the Far South Coast.

Then on Monday, February 13, just before 6pm, the seventh drowning in less than a week occurred at Kiama when a man was washed out to sea by a large wave while swimming at the Kiama Blowhole rock pool.

Surf Life Saving NSW assets were tasked once the SLSNSW State Operations Centre became aware of the job, however the man was pulled into shore by a member of the public.

CPR was performed on the rock platform however the man was declared dead at the scene.

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Surf Life Saving NSW said that meant there had been nine drownings in February alone, and the coastal drowning toll since July 1 was 35.

Specific to summer, the 23 drownings across NSW since December 1 surpassed last year's figure for the same period - a year in which drowning figures reached a record high.

"The last week has been terrible for a number of families across the state who didn't have their loved ones return home to them," SLSNSW CEO Steve Pearce said.

"This has been one of our worst summers on record and while the holiday period may have ended, we are still seeing huge beach visitation numbers and, tragically, the coastal drowning figure continues to rise.

"I must reiterate a very familiar message - if you are planning a trip to the coastline, please do so by visiting a patrolled location and swimming between the red and yellow flags."

READ ALSO: Endless summer at Tathra as lifeguard patrols continue through February

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