Surf Life Saving warn Glenelg jetty jumpers that water may be shallower because of storms

• Man suffers spinal injuries after jetty jumping at Glenelg
• Holdfast Bay Council, police argue over jetty jumping fines at Glenelg beach
• Warning signs to be installed near breakwaters at Glenelg where three boys drowned

Lifesaving and emergency operations manager Andrew Bedford said even at high tide the water may only be 1.5m deep under the jetty because sand washed from the beaches during September and October’s storms had not yet returned to the coast.

This made jetty jumping even more dangerous now than usual, he said.

“The best advice is don’t jump off the jetty,” Mr Bedford said.

“It’s not a good idea because you could get injured.”

Michael Robran, 31, broke the C1 vertebra in his neck on Saturday, October 29, when he jumped off the jetty and slammed headfirst into the sand.

His sister Jade said Michael could not move his head or eat but doctors were astonished at the movement in his legs and arms and family were confident he would be able to walk out of hospital.

Mr Bedford also urged all swimmers to speak to lifeguards or at least survey the water before swimming because sand had shifted a lot since last summer and places that were once shallow may now be deep.

Holdfast Bay Council in July installed signs at the start of the jetty, as well as at other entrances to its beaches, warning about dangers such as jetty jumping and currents.

“We urge beachgoers to listen to the direction of the Surf Life Saving guards and heed the warnings of council and police,” Mayor Stephen Patterson said.

“There is far too much risk of sustaining a serious spinal injury that can leave people in a wheelchair, simply from jumping off a jetty for some momentary fun.

“It’s too big a gamble to take.”

The council has banned jetty jumping, but its officers do not have the power to enforce fines or ask for identification.

Police respond to calls when public safety is at risk, but do not fine jetty jumpers.