Griffith man dies after being pulled from surf at North Wollongong beach

Emergency services were called to North Wollongong beach about 8.45am on Saturday following reports a man had collapsed after being assisted from the water by lifeguards.

NSW Ambulance paramedics and Wollongong City Council lifeguards performed CPR on the 48-year-old man. He was then taken to taken to hospital in a critical condition.

NSW Ambulance duty officer Inspector Terry Morrow said the man went into cardiac arrest in the water; he had travelled from Griffith to Wollongong to complete a Surf Live Saving accreditation course.

"While the instructor was taking him out to do the accreditation he started floundering in the water and the instructor then took him to the beach and started resuscitation as his heart had stopped beating," Inspector Morrow said.

"We believe the man has got a heart condition and unfortunately we are now continuing resuscitation to Wollongong hospital to try and get him back to life again."

In a statement, Wollongong City Council said its lifeguards responded to a "medical incident" at North Wollongong Beach on Saturday.

"Lifeguards responded by performing CPR on the man, who is understood to have been training with North Wollongong Surf Life Saving Club," the council said.

"Additional lifeguards were moved from nearby beaches to provide additional support, and to monitor swimmers in the water, while the man was being treated."

Police confirmed the man had died on Saturday afternoon.

He was yet to be formally identified and a report will be prepared for the coroner.