Gavin Wanganeen in Beachport 4WD drama Instagram video

What started as a lighthearted video quickly became “a bit worrying” for the Brownlow Medallist who’s now warned other drivers to be alert.

Football champion Gavin Wanganeen was stirred but not shaken after a 4WD trip on a South Australian beach saw the ocean decide who was boss.

Sudden big seas at Beachport saw the Brownlow Medallist and friends driving on sand forced to abandon their vehicles as a fun beach drive turned into a survival course for the one-time Australian Survivor contestant.

Mr Wanganeens’s Instagram post details how a casual beach drive can suddenly become dangerous — and he told the Sunday Mail he urges all beach drivers to take extreme caution including travelling in at least pairs.

The drama unfolded at Beachport on Saturday where within moments a family outing with friends suddenly turned serious.

Gavin Wanganeen with his stuck car at Beachport., Picture: Instagram

Gavin Wanganeen with his stuck car at Beachport., Picture: Instagram

Perched on a ute next to a bogged 4WD as big waves suddenly pounded, two-time premiership winner Mr Wanganeen turned to make a video on his phone for what seemed initially a bit of fun – but it quickly became serious.

“We have been bogged here,” he says with a smile while on the back of the ute in knee deep water then suddenly as a solid wave hits, he exclaims: “Oh sh*t, it’s a bit worrying here.”

Video then shows waves smashing over the ute and a 4WD stuck in sand at risk of being lost to the ocean.

As a front end loader appears on the dunes with cables to drag the two vehicles to safety Mr Wanganeen says: “There’s our first helper and with a fast sea coming towards us, wish us good luck!”

Mr Wanganeen, whose calm on the football field continues in his new career as an artist, was serene when talking to the Sunday Mail about the incident.

“It was a bit worrying as there was a fast sea coming toward us, there were big seas and a lot of movement and the waves suddenly moved quite fast.

“But no-one was hurt, we were all OK.

“I’d really advise anyone with not much experience on beach driving to take it easy and ensure you have another vehicle following you in case something goes wrong – even the most experienced people can get into a bit of trouble suddenly.

“There were big seas, a lot of movement, and suddenly trouble.”

The vehicles are now at a Beachport mechanic’s shop after their salt water soaking.