A woman has drowned after she was swept out to sea while rock fishing on the central coast of NSW.

The drowning toll in NSW has now risen to 29.

CEO of Surf Lifesaving NSW, Steven Pearce, tells Chris Smith the number of drownings is up from last year.

“We’re expecting [the number of drownings] to rise. The months of January, February and March are the highest months of drowning fatalities in NSW.

“We’re already at 20 since July, much higher than last year.”

Mr Pearce says they are now pleading with the community to heed safety warnings.

“There are some simple precautions you can take to prevent these tragedies.”

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