Boy, 9, hailed for heroic actions saving young girl struggling in Ballina tide

“She looked really tired”. A nipper’s quick thinking helped save a girl who was struggling against a strong tide and couldn’t get back to shore.

Jack dives into the water as a Ballina and Lismore SLSC Nipper. Credit: Contributed

A young boy has been hailed for his heroic quick thinking which helped him save a young girl struggling in a Ballina waterway.

On Friday, August 20, Jack Keogh and his family took to the waves near Missingham Bridge for a lunchtime paddle.

Nine-year-old Jack was enjoying the surf with his sister when he saw two girls struggling in the waves.

“I saw a girl pulling another girl with their boards,” he said.

“They both looked like they were really tired so I swam over and asked if they were okay.”

The girls told Jack they wanted to go back to the shoreline but the incoming tide was too strong.

Without thinking twice, Jack – who has been involved with the Nippers program since he was two years old – got the younger of the two girls on his board and starting paddling under the bridge until he reached the shore.

For the young gun swimmer, the rescue mission was the perfect chance to test out his surf lifesaving skills.

“We practice doing hard and fast sprints and that’s what I was trying to do,” he said.

“I had to practice paddling a board, and negotiate waves and getting people on the board.”

Jack Keogh dives in as a Nipper at Ballina and Lismore SLSC. Credit: Contributed

Jack’s mum, Sue, said she credited the Ballina Lighthouse & Lismore Surf Life Saving Club for instilling Jack with the bravery and know-how to jump into action.

“Nippers has given him the confidence not only to be able to use the surf craft but also the confidence he can do something and can help someone,” she said.

She said Jack was an avid fan of the Nippers board events, joining in with his sister two years before he was eligible to compete.

“He does take great pleasure in racing and competing against the older age groups,” she said.

And this rescue may not be the last for the Jack who said he would like to be on Bondi Rescue one day.

“(People should) definitely join Nippers. We get to spend the morning on the beach and have fun with our friends in the water,” he said.

For more information on the upcoming Nipper season, head here.