This is one hell of a wipe out.
About 100 people were knocked off an ocean rock platform they were standing on when a massive wave hit on Saturday. The event, which was captured on a GoPro by Instagram user Jakee T, occurred at the Figure Eight Pools in the Royal National Park in Sydney.
When a rogue wave hits the figure 8 pools!!! #figure8pools #cleanout @coppajay @pauliebra @jwhite___ A video posted by @jakee.t on Jan 9, 2016 at 3:42pm PST
A 20-year-old woman was airlifted to hospital with minor injuries after the freak wave smashed ocean dwellers off their sunny perch, New South Wales Police said in a statement. Two more people also attended the hospital with minor injuries.
Despite the force of the wave and contrary reports, no other people were injured during the incident, according to police.
That's my head on the right! (And then body trying to scramble away). I thought it lasted for much longer than this. Like I had a ton of time to brace myself against the rocks. #figure8pools #timeperception A video posted by micahbg (@micahbgold) on Jan 9, 2016 at 8:13pm PST
Too rough to see the pools today! #figure8pools #royalnationalpark #runforit #epicwave A photo posted by Ellie Bishop (@bisho.23) on Jan 9, 2016 at 5:48pm PST
The incredible rock pools -- shaped in a perfect figure 8 due to a unique geological occurrence -- are generally safe to visit at low tide and are a popular site for visitors.
Kane Weeks, from the National Parks and Wildlife service, told Mashable Australia Figure Eight Pools has seen a "dramatic" increase in visitors recently due to social media interest -- with the statistics from the park tracker, which counts the number of people passing by, rising from 5,000 hits in November to 23,000 hits in December.
Weeks believes Instagram specifically has been behind the increase in visitors as it has made the park popular with a younger demographic.
"The same thing happened with Wedding Cake Rock, in April or May last year," Weeks said, in reference to the popular Australian destination that has been roped off due to Instagram daredevils. "It seems that the people who are coming to Figure Eight Pools and Wedding Cake are a new demographic for National Parks. It is 18-25-year-olds that are looking for a bit of adventure and adrenaline at a site they perceive as unique or remote."
Weeks said National Parks is pleased with the influx of a younger audience who are heading into the great outdoors and exploring the walking trails, but he warned visitors to simply be careful when attending the site.
"Unfortunately, people like having waves coming over them while they are in the rock pools but it is dangerous when you don’t know the swells. We do say that if you are going to Figure Eight Pools, make sure it is low tide and low swell," he said.
"People need to adhere to advice, listen to lifesavers and rangers and please be careful. The warnings aren’t there to stop people going, but they just need to understand the risks."
The National Parks website also has a warning to people visiting the area, advising swimmers to keep their wits about them. It is also advised to check the surf conditions before you pose for a selfie near the pools.
"The rockpools are slippery and submerged under water at high tide. There's no lifeguard service in this area; check the height of the tide and waves before you make the journey, and never turn your back on the ocean," the warning reads.
This knock-out event is a perfect case in point. Next time, face the front and bring your crocs.
10.01.16 Tough hike but worth it #wontbedoingItAgain #figure8pools #burningPalmsbeach #RoyalNationalPark #OzBeachCount #sayingmyprayers A photo posted by NimiV (@nimiv) on Jan 10, 2016 at 4:29am PST