jellyfish in new south wales

[icewall]

hi mates, are there any jellyfish in the nsw area during december/january? i am planning a surf trip to australia ...

cu

[drowningbitbybit]

Yup.

[icewall]

yup like: forget it - you can not surf because they are many and everywhere.
or
yup like: there are just a few.
or
yup like: there are some but who cares...

[drowningbitbybit]

yup like: forget it - you can not surf because they are many and everywhere.
or
yup like: there are just a few.
or
yup like: there are some but who cares...

I'm no expert, I dont live there.... for another six weeks, then I will

My understanding is that (for the sydney area at least, I dont know about further north) there's stingers in the water in summer, but not to the levels like sometimes in queensland that mean that you cant go in the water.

So keep an eye out, you might get stung now and again, but not so bad that you cant surf.

Hopefully someone with a bit more NSW experience can give you a bit better informed info.

[Sar]

there were bluebottles on Manly beach when I was there. We were told not to worry about them to much, just keep you're eyes peeled when in the water and walking along the wet sand. Think I remember the surf coach saying that it also depends on the ocean currents at the time as to the levels of stingers in the water so ask someone helpful on the beach.
Couldnt go in the sea in Queensland as box stinger season was just begining.

[drowningbitbybit]

See! See!
I was right!!

(Sar's much more clever than me)

[Sar]

(Sar's much more clever than me)

yeah, it's true.

but the guy was talking about the early part of the year and I was there in November so my little pearl of wisdom was about as much use as a chocolate teapot really

[icewall]

hmmm, these jellyfish bastards suck. maybe its better to fly to the philippines or bali - i have heard that the surf is not that big in december in nsw...

[Jimi]

You don't need to worry about the jellyfish in NSW waters. There are quite a few, all year round, and their presence at beaches depends on the ocean currents and winds.

They will not kill you unless you have an allergic reaction. The most painful are blue bottles (portuguese man of war http://www.australianfauna.com/bluebottlejellyfish.php ) but they aren't too bad unless they wrap around your bare skin. If they do, you can pick them off using your fingers, since they only painfully sting around hair follicles.

Bluebottles float, and are fairly visible whilst in the water. The only time you're in danger is when duckdiving the whitewater, or after a wipeout, since there's a chance of surfacing into a bluebottle, face first. This is to be avoided, and will sting badly, so keep your eyes and mouth shut till you're sure you're clear.

There are other jellyfish, but you rarely see them in the surf.

I surf all year round, and you don't usually need to worry about any nasties in the water, but there have been times I've been glad to be wearing a full length wetsuit to avoid the stings.

[passion_of_the_crest]

jimi said it all. i've heard of people surfing after getting stung, but in my own personal experience, i was outta there right after. granted, it was about a 2-foot tentacle wrapped around my bare upper leg down to my calf. but really, the jellies are usually only there when the surf is sloppy with onshore winds. and it's almost like a rite of passage to surf in oz and get stung by a bluey.

have fun.

[drowningbitbybit]

There are other jellyfish, but you rarely see them in the surf.

Whats the sign on the cliff edge above the reef break at Cronulla? Cant remember exactly what it said but it was something along the lines of
"Beware - Spinal Injection Death Agony Jellyfish found here!"

Right next to the sign that said about what to do if your leash gets wrapped around a buoy and you're in imminent danger of drowning

[ANZAC]

Dont be too worried. No Box Jelly's in NSW. The Nth QLD will sometimes guys wear the wifes stockings or full rash suits if the Box's are bad.
never seen a Box in NSW but the Bluey's were pretty bad last weekend when I sufed Mona Vale - Sydney, in a spring suit. But I stayed out.
Seriously, I wouldnt be too worried. They usually appear after a few days of Nth Easters and quickly dissapear. The Aussie Blueys will just make you do a few screaming laps of the car park and piss you off for a few hours after. You will be back in the water the next day like nothing happened.

[Jimi]

There are other jellyfish, but you rarely see them in the surf.

Whats the sign on the cliff edge above the reef break at Cronulla? Cant remember exactly what it said but it was something along the lines of
"Beware - Spinal Injection Death Agony Jellyfish found here!"

Right next to the sign that said about what to do if your leash gets wrapped around a buoy and you're in imminent danger of drowning

That sign is about "Blue Ringed Octopus". They will kill you. Quickly. Painfully. so don't pick up any octopi that you find in the shallows or rockpools.

The "Spinal Injection Death Agony Jellyfish" is a misnomer. Its sting is actually more akin to having massage oils rubbed lightly onto your skin.

[drowningbitbybit]

That sign is about "Blue Ringed Octopus". They will kill you. Quickly. Painfully. so don't pick up any octopi that you find in the shallows or rockpools.

The "Spinal Injection Death Agony Jellyfish" is a misnomer. Its sting is actually more akin to having massage oils rubbed lightly onto your skin.

Ah, octopussies, that was it - I knew there was something else out there that would be the fatal!

And bring on the gentle soothing massages of the Spinal Injection Death Agony Jellyfish!

[ANZAC]

Dont forget our Sting Rays!

[icewall]

so, i got my ticket to sydney. i will be the whole february in nsw. do you recommend a full suite (jellys, water temperature, ...)?

[icewall]

btw, i wanna rent a campervan from wicked campers and i plan a surf trip from sydney to brisbane. what surf spots do you recommend for an ok surfer - where should i stop my junk car and paddle out...

[ANZAC]

Mate.. Dont worry about a full wettie. Just bring your springy, boardshorts and a rash vest.. Your not going to find plagues of Killer sea animals I assure you.
Starting Sydney? Just take the pacific highway up the coast. Watch closely out the Drivers window as you pass every point and beachbreak all the way up to the Gold Coast. Serious, there are too many beaches and points to list.
Im happy to help you out from Sydney onwards and any gear you need for when you get here. Send me a message and Ill give you my Cell Number.

[icewall]

yeah great, u got a message.

[Brian]

lots of stingers if there is an onshore wind. watch out for them, they hurt.