Surf ironmen, iron women help rescue children, tourists in mass rescue at Maroubra after racing

Footage reveals the incredible moment top surf life saving athletes rushed to save the lives of 25 children and swimmers who were swept out to sea.

Australia's top surf life savers were involved in a mass rescue of swimmers – including children – swept out to sea at Maroubra just minutes after they had finished racing a round of the famous Nutri-Grain surf ironman and ironwoman series.

Ironwoman winner Lana Rogers had just stepped off the podium when heard the rescue call go out on the radio around 3pm and immediately ran down the beach to swim out to the swimmers in distress.

Newport’s Jackson Borg was with fellow surf life saver and kayaker Jimmy Walker who saw the start of the rescue from the sand with the pair also rushing to help the distressed swimmers.

Surf Life Saving Australia national sports manager Wayne Druery said 25 people were involved in the drama triggered by a “freak rip’’ which dragged them down the beach and out to sea.

“There were about 20 or 30 people, I’m not sure of the number, but they are all fine thankfully,’’ Rogers told The Daily Telegraph soon after.

“The water here moves quickly and they got swept out to sea.

The mass rescue at Maroubra beach. Picture: Supplied

“I just heard ‘rescue, rescue, rescue’ on the radio and immediately we all just responded. It’s what we do. It happened very quickly and everyone just reacted.’’

Rogers said it was the first time in 12 years of patrols she has been involved in a rescue.

“I only played a small part and we’re just happy everyone is OK,’’ she said.

The mass rescue at Maroubra beach. Picture: Supplied

Druery said four swimmers required medical assistance when they were returned to shore by IRBs.

He confirmed most of the swimmers were tourists, including some from Ireland, who had been swimming between the flags but were dragged out to sea by the rip.

“It’s what we are here for, it’s what we do but I’ve never seen such a mass rescue during a competitions’’ Druery said

“Twenty five people were rescued, mostly tourists, some Irish.

“Our safety officer Adrian Hill got alerted to it and two competition IRBS responded along with the life guards, the patrols and our athletes who all got on boards and tubes.

Rogers is the defending series champion.

Lana Rogers was involved in the rescue after winning round four of the ironwoman series.

“They held the people up until the IRBs could ferry them back in.

“Four were treated by first aid but thankfully there’s no major injuries.

“It was just a freak movement of fast water back out to sea that caught them.’’

Druery said because they were near the flags personnel on the beach were able to see them and respond immediately.

“Who knows what could have happened if they were further away,’’ he said.

Jackson Borg is one of the top NSW surf life savers in the ironman series

Jackson Borg, one of the stars of the ironman racing on Sunday, played a major role in the rescue and was one of the first to reach swimmers.

“We were just standing round talking and Jimmy (Walker) looked across and saw a mass rescue, that people needed help, and everyone just grabbed boards,’’ Borg said.

“It was a culmination of athletes and life guards. We floated them while the boats come out.’’

Borg said he has been involved in numerous rescues in recent weeks at his home beach at Newport.

“Last weekend we did four rescues,’’ said the top ironman.

“I think one of the positives today it we were there and able to calm all the kids down and they were waving their arms which was the right thing to do so we were able to react quickly.’’

Originally published as Surf ironmen, iron women help rescue children, tourists in mass rescue at Maroubra after racing