14-year-old lifequard helps save fishermen

A teenager who has just qualified as a volunteer lifeguard was called on to help in the dramatic rescue of five fishermen trapped on rocks at Port Waikato yesterday.

Sophie Poole, 14, and three experienced lifeguards were pounded against rocks by heavy surf as they went to the aid of the fishermen at Sunset Beach. Surf club president Malcolm Beattie said the men under-estimated the high tide and became trapped on a point known as the reef.

"They got into the water and started to go for the beach themselves but because it was such a high tide it was right up against the cliff so there was no real safe place for them."

Mr Beattie said the men clambered to a high point but the club's rescue boat was unable to get close enough to the rocks.

The lifeguards had to swim about 700m in pounding surf to help the men out of danger.

"There were heaps of rips pulling us one way and then the other," Sophie said. "One guy got cuts all over him."

Lifeguards Janine Ibbs, Warren Edwards and Robert Wylie plucked three of the fishermen off the rocks while Sophie stayed with the other two men to reassure them.

The teenager, who qualified as a lifeguard two weeks ago, said she would not try to swim out with the fishermen because of the size difference and sea conditions.

She has been involved with the Sunset Beach club since she was 7.

The Baradene College student, the second-youngest qualified guard at the club, has offered to train the junior guards next year.