Search and rescue efforts were carried out all weekend with no success.

Yesterday, Sunday, a helicopter was part of the search efforts. Today teams include jet skis, inflatable rescue boats, the Water Police from Coffs Harbour, as well as the Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) launch.

Insp. Campbell said while hope was fading of finding the swimmer alive, he remained as optimistic as possible.

“The search will continue throughout the day however conditions are expected to deteriorate this afternoon and it may become too dangerous to have craft out in the surf,” Insp Campbell said.

He said the young man’s family had now arrived on the scene; his name has not yet been released.

Officers attached to the Mid North Coast Police District established a command post at the Nambucca Heads Surf Life Saving Club and began a search of the area on Saturday.

They have been assisted in their search operations over the weekend by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, PolAir, Marine Rescue and Surf Life Saving, as well as local police, Water Police, Surf Life Saving and the Volunteer Rescue Association.

Insp Campbell thanked the community and volunteers for all their assistance thus far.

Strong surf conditions with waves up to four metres will see some beaches closed today and swimmers warned not to enter the water.

The dangerous conditions are the result of Cyclone Gita which is sweeping south and expected to bring gales with gusts of over 150kmh and heavy rain to a vast swathe of the West Coast of New Zealand on Tuesday evening.

Gita, which caused havoc in Tonga last week, has the South Island in its "firing line". Its centre is predicted to make landfall in the northwest tip of the island late Tuesday.

Roads and Maritime Services has issued an alert to boaters after a Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) warning about dangerous surf conditions today and tomorrow along the Byron, Coffs, Macquarie, Hunter, Sydney Coast, Illawarra, Batemans and Eden coasts.

Boat skippers should consider changing or delaying their voyage before considering crossing a coastal bar or heading offshore and rock fishers should avoid coastal rock platforms exposed to the ocean and seek a safe location sheltered from the surf.

Every skipper is responsible for the safety of their vessel and all on board. Roads and Maritime advises skippers to:

·         Check the official weather forecast before and during boating and ‘if in doubt, don’t go out’

·         Ensure the boat and its equipment is suitable for the conditions

·         Log on/ off with a Marine Rescue NSW marine radio base via VHF Radio or Marine Rescue APP for every trip offshore and consider a safety management plan

·         Wear a lifejacket.