Two teenagers from Tuross Head and Narooma are grateful to have survived a dangerous rip, where a heroic police officer and brave member of the public came to their rescue on Tuesday, February 9.
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The two young men aged 18 and 19 said it was a "close call", and thanked rescuers.
"I was very grateful and relieved there were people there to come and help," the Tuross Head teen said.
"I thank the police officer for being so proactive. I was a bit shaken up. He was there risking his life, but I saw he was a strong swimmer with a lot of energy and helped get me to the jet ski, out of the dangerous surf."
The two teens were aware of the resident rip running along the north side of the breakwall, however a rip further up the beach caught them off guard.
"We were on the sand bar; I had a bit of a swim, then couldn't stand anymore and got in trouble," the Tuross teen said.
"I tried to keep calm and was in the rip treading water."
The current swept him 200 metres out.
The Narooma teen made it back to shore and saw his mate was getting thrashed about. The wind picked up and conditions continued to change rapidly.
The Narooma teen said waves smashed them about and the rip grew fierce.
"I went back out to make sure he wouldn't drown," the Narooma teen said.
"I saw he was getting smashed and wanted to make sure he wouldn't go under. He was very panicked."
The pair tried to navigate their way back to shore, but the current was too strong.
"When we felt like we were getting somewhere, our legs became tired and were cramping up," the Narooma teen said.
In the surging swell, the pair were pulled away from each other. They both knew they had to keep their heads above water, and that help was on its way.
"I was out there for about 45 minutes to an hour," the Tuross teen said.
"I was sure help was on its way."
Senior constables Josh Lavender and Hayden Uerata of Narooma Police arrived at the scene.
Surf lifesavers were called and Mr Uerata coordinated the rescue from shore.
Mr Lavender said there were "no other viable options at the time", his mission was to swim to the furthest teen and keep him above water.
"The guys in the water weren't going to last very much longer with each wave breaking over their heads," Mr Lavender said.
When we felt like we were getting somewhere, our legs became tired and were cramping up
"They were drifting north towards Carters Beach, about 200 metres out.
"I didn't have time to get anything to assist; he was screaming for help."
Mr Lavender swam to the Tuross teen.
"He was in a panicked state when I got to him, thrashing about to be above water," he said.
"I knew a jet ski was on the way, but didn't know how long."
Mr Lavender calmed the teen and helped him back to a sandbank where they could both stand.
"He was very fatigued, so we waited on the sand bank for the jet ski to help us back to the beach," he said.
Within 10 minutes of the callout, the surf lifesaving jet ski arrived.
In the meantime, a bystander from Sydney, with lifesaving experience, had swam out to the Narooma teen, helping him back to shore.
"It was a close call," the Narooma teen said.
"I have been stuck in rip before, but have always got out of it.
"It was a ripper of rip."
He thanked rescuers.
"If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't know what would have happened," the Narooma teen said. "I couldn't thank them enough.
"I know not to swim at that beach anymore.
"There are better beaches that are more protected." He suggested the netted part of Bar Beach, south of the breakwall.
Mr Lavender said: "It was good to get a result like this."
"It was nice to be able to help," he said.
He urged people to be more aware of the dangers at beaches before entering the water.
It was the second dramatic rescue within a week. On Sunday, surfers saved a father and his teenage daughter at Dalmeny.