Two caught in savage rip off 'Whales'

A teenage lifeguard from the Midway club has been praised for his actions on Wednesday afternoon when he saved an adult and child who were sucked out in a rip opposite the Whales surf break at Okitu at Wainui Beach. File picture

Christmas came early for an adult and a child sucked out in a savage rip opposite the Whales Grave at Wainui on Wednesday afternoon, thanks to the brave actions of a young off-duty surf lifeguard from the Midway Club.

The drama unfolded at around 3pm that afternoon.

A Dawson Building Midway surf  lifesaver, aged in his mid-teens, had been out for a surf at Whales.

Shortly after he came ashore and up to the car park he heard people on the beach calling out about two people in distress in the surf.

He saw an adult and a child being sucked out in a rip and knew they were in trouble.

“He ran down the beach and swam out to them,” said Surf Lifesaving NZ club development officer for Tairāwhiti ,Jessica Buscke.

“The child was apparently quite close to going under when he got to them.

“The young lifeguard, who wishes to remain anonymous, got hold of the child, with the adult hanging on, and towed them both back to the shore.”

Mrs Buscke said the actions of the rescuer were “absolutely meritorious”.

“He did an incredible job and we are very proud of him.

“Those two people would not have been sitting down to Christmas dinner with their family without his actions,” she said.

“It will certainly be the district Rescue of the Month nomination to New Zealand Surf Life Saving for December.”

The Herald understands the youngster was quite shaken up by the incident and has since been receiving support.

Paid lifeguards from the patrol at the Riversun Wainui SLSC were alerted when the drama unfolded, but the teenager had brought the pair to safety when they arrived.

“There was some concern for the child, who had apparently taken in a bit of water and the paid guards wanted to examine him,” Mrs Buscke said.

“They looked for the boy and the adult with him on the beach and in various carparks, but they had gone.”

Mrs Buscke said the paid lifeguards had been unable to operate their usual mobile patrols in the Wainui club’s ATV because of the high tide, and the IRB was patrolling at the other end of the beach.

“The incident clearly illustrates the care that people must take at the beach, particularly when there is surf running.

“In this case these two people were swimming in the trough running along the beach, and then were suddenly sucked out in the rip the trough was feeding, and into difficulties.

“Swim between the flags is our plea, and if in doubt, stay out of the water.”