More than 20 swimmers were rescued at Maroubra Beach in Sydney's eastern suburbs on Sunday afternoon after being caught in a flash rip. Athletes competing in the Ironmen and Ironwomen series noticed the group struggling about 100 metres offshore and quickly intervened.
Vision of the incident shows a dramatic scene as multiple athletes on surfboards reached out to the swimmers. Among the first to help was Ironwoman champion Lana Rogers, who saw '20 to 30 people' in trouble. 'The water was moving very quickly and the rip just took them out to sea,' she said. 'Lucky all of us were here still. About 20 athletes just raced to save the day.'
The rescuers, including surf lifesavers and coaches, safely brought the swimmers onto inflatable rescue boats and back to shore. The group included tourists and children, according to competition organisers. Local surf lifesavers treated them, and no major injuries have been reported.
Ms Rogers warned that the incident showed how quickly conditions can change. 'Classic Maroubra beach, the water is moving quickly and I think people go in swimming thinking they'll stay in one place and they're not,' she said. Surf Life Saving Australia's sport manager, Wayne Druery, emphasised that if lifesavers can't see you, they can't save you.
In a separate incident, the body of a 15-year-old boy was recovered at Angourie Green Pool near Yamba after he was reported missing at 3pm on Sunday following a jump from a rock ledge. Additionally, four people were taken to hospital on Saturday evening after being caught in a rip at Bronte Beach, all in stable condition.
