THE parents of a young Alaskan man still missing after being swept into wild waves south of Lake Macquarie will arrive in Australia on Sunday, as hope fades that their son will be found alive.

The Herald was able to confirm last night that Jeremy Earnshaw, 23, had been living in Newcastle and working with Christian group Youth With a Mission when he went missing on Monday.

Hopes that Mr Earnshaw, described yesterday as an "exceptional young guy", will be found safe and well were quickly disappearing when police suspended the search for the second straight night yesterday.

Police will reassess conditions this morning.

Tuggerah Lakes acting local area commander Tony Long phoned Mr Earnshaw's devastated parents in Fairbanks, Alaska, yesterday.

They are expected to arrive in Australia on Sunday.

Mr Earnshaw's Facebook page lists his interests as skateboarding, snowboarding and playing bass guitar.

Several friends posted messages on his Facebook page yesterday, expressing their hope that he will be found alive and well.

"I love you bro . . . praying that you're ok," one friend wrote.

"Jeremy . . . I hope you're okay. We're all praying for you," another said.

Youth With a Mission Newcastle director David Stephenson issued a statement last night expressing sadness and condolences to Mr Earnshaw's loved ones.

"Our hearts go out to the parents and family of our friend and treasured co-worker at this time of tragedy which occurred on what was planned to be a fun day off," the statement said.

"He is 23 years old, an exceptional young guy, who has been wholeheartedly involved with us in mentoring young people in our community."

The Herald understands Mr Earnshaw and his 19-year-old girlfriend, from Lake Munmorah, had gone to their favourite spot at Snapper Point in the Munmorah State Conservation Area with two friends on Monday.

His girlfriend could only watch in horror as Mr Earnshaw and another man, 23, were swept into the surf by a freak wave that hit rocks below Snapper Point.

The other man was winched to safety by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service after grabbing on to a lifesaving ring, but Mr Earnshaw disappeared below the waves and has not been seen since.

Newcastle-based friends spent several hours at Snapper Point yesterday, anxiously awaiting any news as the search continued.