Beaches on the Gold Coast are closed for the third day running as ex-tropical cyclone Winston continues to whip up rough conditions.
Huge waves and strong rips have left Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) with no other option but to keep the beaches off limits.
"We're continuing to see some big swell and dangerous conditions and, at the end of the day, it's just not safe for people to be in the water at the moment," SLSQ's Nathan Fife said.
The authority closed all beaches bar three on the Sunshine Coast - Noosa, Coolum and Bribie - on Saturday and has been weighing up whether to keep them shut.
Waves as high as six metres pounded the coast on Saturday as the weather bureau issued severe weather and wind warnings.
Rough conditions have caused a string of injuries, including dislocated shoulders and leg fractures, in recent days.
However, Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Annabelle Ford said conditions should begin to ease on Sunday as ex-tropical cyclone Winston dissipates.
Gold Coast City lifeguards will monitor conditions on Monday morning before deciding whether it's safe to re-open the beaches to the public.
