Freak wave smashes into paddlers in rockpool

Social media accounts captured images of the wave crashing over the pools. Photo / Instagram.

Visitors at Sydney's Royal National Park got more than rockpools to paddle in when a freak wave swept through the pools injuring several people.

People filming the scene from higher up captured the moment. A man can be heard yelling "brace yourselves!"

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That's my head on the right! (And then body trying to scramble away). I thought it lasted for much longer than this. Like I had a ton of time to brace myself against the rocks. #figure8pools #timeperception

A post shared by Micah G (@micahbgold) on Jan 9, 2016 at 8:13pm PST

About 100 people were hit by the wave as a wall of white water swept through the pools.

Three woman were airlifted to hospital, one suffering head injuries, but all have been discharged.