Daring rescue of four teens wins awards

Kate O'Malley has won the regional Rescue of the Year award for surf lifesaving. Photo / Supplied

A Westshore lifeguard who plucked four teenagers from the surf in a daring rescue last year has received a raft of Hawke's Bay Surf Life Saving awards.

Kate O'Malley scooped the regional rescue of the year award for the rescue at Ohiwa Beach.

She was holidaying in Whakatane on December 28 when a woman ran into the camp ground screaming for help as four youngsters were being swept out to sea at the beach.

She ran 200m to the unpatrolled beach and entered the rip without any lifesaving equipment. The surf was heavy at 1.5 to 2m and the rip was strong.

She found four people spread out in the waves before she calmed them and towed the two most unwell swimmers back to the beach.

The Hukarere College teacher re-entered the rip to rescue the other two teens, before caring for all four swimmers who had inhaled sea water and were in shock. Two of the survivors were later transported to hospital.

The triathlete and Harriers runner also won the outstanding beach athlete of the year and open ski champ at this year's awards.

Ms O'Malley said her club was always in need of more athletes willing to patrol the beach.

"The more people get behind the movement in surf lifesaving, the more we can help the public and the community." Ms O'Malley was also named the national winner for rescue of the month, and awarded the Central Region BP Rescue of the Month award for December.