FAMILY and friends of lifeguard Dale Laverty should learn more about the circumstances of his death in the coming days, various sources said yesterday.
Mr Laverty, 57, of Kahibah, was unable to be revived after being brought unconscious from the water at Nobbys Beach on Friday morning, where he had been competing in an annual lifeguard proficiency "mission".
Although it appears Mr Laverty died after a heart attack in the water, the circumstances of his death are being questioned by some of the beach community, given that some of the city's most experienced ocean athletes were tasked with watching over the mission.
"There's got to be questions asked," one friend of Mr Laverty's said on Saturday.
"He was always the first to get to anyone in trouble. And he'd say 'watch their heads, don't take your eyes off them, or you'll lose them'. But no-one there is blaming anybody, and he knew he had a heart condition."
A number of factors - including his known heart condition and an apparent lack of water in his airways - have been taken as indicators that Mr Laverty suffered a heart attack in the water.
As a strong and experienced swimmer in relatively calm conditions, it was not considered likely that Mr Laverty had drowned.
Stockton's Noel Burns, who administered the mission, said on Friday that it was run by the Australian Professional Ocean Lifeguard Association, or APOLA.
One person familiar with the process said Mr Laverty had passed another test, his 800 metre fitness swim, the day before, and in faster time than he did in 2019.
"The mission's not a race, although the younger blokes might want to make it one, the older guys will often do it more or less together," the beach-goer said.
"Everyone's known each other for years. Everyone knows who can beat who if it comes to that."
Yesterday afternoon, Mr Laverty's widow Susan said she had not been notified of an official cause of her husband's death, and had not expected to because of the weekend.
"I imagine I will hear from the social worker at the John Hunter Hospital today," Mrs Laverty said. "They wouldn't have worked over the weekend, so I expect I will hear more today."
She said she remained unsure as to whether there would be an autopsy, and whether there would be a coronial inquest.
She said funeral details were yet to be worked out but said "Dale wanted his ashes scattered out at Nobbys Reef, and the boys will make sure that happens".
Friends and family gathered at Dixon Park Surf Life Saving Club on Friday night to celebrate Mr Laverty's life and to mourn his death.
Friends said the Dixon Park shark alarm was sounded three times at the end of an emotional night.
Club president Peter Brown said Mr Laverty had been due to patrol for the life saving club on Saturday.
"Dale's passion for surf lifesaving is revealed in his many years of involvement in assisting others, both in a volunteer and professional capacity," he wrote in a post to club members.
"We acknowledge his fellow paddlers and colleagues for their efforts."
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