Alright, so a little while back, a few Greek blokes sat around and came up with some cracker yarns.
Their story of the absolute pretty-boy named Narcissus has changed a bit in the past couple of millennia, but it’s pretty relevant when talking about how Aussies are still risking their safety to snap some ‘Grams at New South Wales’ you-beaut Figure 8 Pools. Have a gander at a few:
Anyway, Narcissus lived in a time before mirrors, so when he caught sight of his fine self in a pool of water, he was pretty stoked about it. So stoked, he got closer and closer to his own visage, until he fell into it. And he drowned.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is where we get the term “narcissism”. Look, we’re not claiming everyone who scrambles over the rocks at Royal National Park is a doomed narcissist, but the whole gazing-at-oneself-in-pools-despite-deathly-risk motif is heavily mirrored (heh) in the latest warnings from park staff.
Speaking to 7 News tonight, Gary Dunnett of the Parks And Wildlife Service once again told a growing number of punters “don’t go down there unless it’s low tide, and also, it’s very low seas.”
“People need to understand just because it was safe when someone else stood there, or for that matter there’s a large group around you, that doesn’t mean the sea isn’t going to pick up”.
The reason, of course, is that unexpected swells of seawater can (and do) quite easily sweep hapless snappers literally off their feet. In January, three people were treated for injuries sustained at the hallowed Instagram locale.
Authorities have no plans on barring the location like they’ve done at Wedding Cake Rock. They just want you to keep an eye on the swell, as well as your fine selves. Have a look on their site for some more v. useful info, yeah?
