YEPPOON Surf Life Saving Club nippers rushed onto the beach when a surprise competitor dropped in for a visit at the Nippers Club Championships on Sunday morning.
It wasn't a famous iron man or woman that had the nippers in a flurry though; but rather a 1.5m to 2m crocodile.
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YSLSC spokesman Jason Thompson said the club championships were cancelled and Yeppoon Main Beach closed when a large crocodile was spotted lurking in the waters by a nearby fisherman.
"We had a croc show up around 10am," Mr Thompson said. "A fisherman in Ross Creek saw it go out and it was confirmed further out when some of our patrollers took an IRB out to have a look.
"Our nippers club championships were on at the time so they were cancelled and we closed the beach for the rest of the day as a precaution."
Mr Thompson said while crocodile sightings weren't common at Yeppoon Main Beach, they were becoming more frequent of late.
Koorana Crocodile Farm owner John Lever said he had surveyed Ross Creek in the past and never found a crocodile.
"I have never found one there but they can only drink fresh water so they make their way north along the coast visiting creeks for fresh water," Mr Lever said.
"It should definitely be removed but I'd say it will move on itself and end up around Corio Bay."
Crocodile sightings should be reported to the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection on 1800 130 372.
CROC SIGHTINGS
Rosslyn Bay Harbour - June
Port Alma and Pink Lily - August
Corio Bay - October
Fitzroy River at Nerimbera - September
Kemp Beach - November
Fitzroy River at Ski Gardens - January
