A middle-aged man is lucky to be alive after a group of quick-thinking swimmers pulled him from a deadly rip at Werri Beach in a dramatic early morning rescue.
The Moment of Crisis
The incident unfolded shortly after 8am on Tuesday, November 25, when regular morning swimmers noticed the man struggling in treacherous conditions at the beach's southern end. Despite no official surf patrols being on duty, several experienced Gerringong Surf Club members were among the group enjoying their daily swim.
Veteran surf club member Mark Booth told how he and another swimmer had already exited the water when they observed the man appearing to tread water unsuccessfully. "I was already moving towards the water because I was a little bit concerned about him at that point," Mr Booth recalled, just before the man raised his arms in a desperate call for help.
The Team Effort Rescue
Fellow swimmer Darryl Green, who was still in the water, immediately changed direction and became the first to reach the struggling man. He was joined within seconds by Mr Booth and Rose Leamon, who had just begun her morning swim.
Mr Booth described the challenging conditions as "quite choppy" with "a lot of water movement," but the team managed to guide the man through the powerful surf and safely back to shore.
Meanwhile, other surf club members Jeremy Marlton and Geoff Royal raced to the clubhouse to collect rescue equipment, while nurse practitioner Sue Gilbertson prepared to administer first aid if needed.
"This was a fantastic team effort and highlighted the value of the training and skills of the Gerringong Surf Club members," Mr Booth said. "We were able to keep him calm which ensured the rescue was managed without incident."
Growing Safety Concerns
While the rescued man, who identified himself as a ship's captain, expressed gratitude for his saviours, the incident has raised concerns about a dangerous trend at Werri Beach.
Mr Booth, a 47-year veteran of the Gerringong Surf Club, explained that ever since Tasman Drive overlooking the beach was labelled "Australia's prettiest street" by an Indian influencer, the area has attracted hundreds of visitors from cultures without strong surf traditions.
"It's common to see hundreds of people of Indian background on the street each weekend taking selfies and photographs," Mr Booth said, noting that in recent months, people of Asian backgrounds have also been drawn to the location. The rescued man "certainly fit into one of those cultures."
The southern end of Werri Beach, where the rescue occurred, often features a rip current, making it particularly dangerous for inexperienced swimmers. Mr Booth expressed concern about visitors walking into the water fully clothed or avoiding the patrolled area between the flags because "they almost believe that that's for the good swimmers."
This successful rescue serves as both a celebration of community vigilance and a stark reminder of the hidden dangers that can l beneath the surface of Australia's beautiful beaches.
