Frustrated lifeguards are calling for more respect after a man died while swimming outside the flag at Main Beach yesterday.

The swimmer, aged in his 40s, repeatedly ignored lifeguard requests to move in between the flags.

Surf Life Saving QLD Gold Coast Operations Manager Nathan Fife said the death was easily avoidable.

“They don’t swim between those red and yellow flags and when told to get out of the water, they don’t listen,” he told Sofie Formica. “Unfortunately, that’s what we saw yesterday.

“They went and told these people not to swim, pretty much were told to, you know, get stuffed.

“It was a rescue and unfortunately someone’s lost their life because they’ve taken a risk that didn’t need to be taken.”

Press PLAY below to hear the full interview