Family’s heartbreak over teen’s death off Freshwater Beach

A family has been left heartbroken after a talented 18-year-old parkour enthusiast died while swimming at Sydney’s Freshwater Beach on Saturday night.

A beloved teenager has drowned while swimming with friends on Sydney’s northern beaches.

The body of Ivan Korolev, who used social media to show off his love for parkour, was found on Sunday after he disappeared off Freshwater Beach the previous evening.

The young man had been swimming with friends but failed to return to shore, with an emergency rescue mission launched about 8.15pm.

Police were told he had been swimming with a group of friends when they lost sight of him.

Ivan Korolev drowned while swimming with friends off Freshwater Beach. Picture: Facebook.

On Sunday, his mother Anna Zolotukhina posted a heartbreaking tribute on social media.

“Ivan’s body was found earlier today,” she said on Facebook.

“He bodysurfed yesterday with his 2 closest friends. He was happy.

“Bless you all for your support. And please, please give a hug to your kids and tell them you love them every time they go out of the door.”

An 18-year-old boy disappeared while swimming at Freshwater Beach on Saturday. Photo: Tim Pascoe

Rescue crews stayed monitoring the sand and water overnight. Picture: Instagram

The group of boys tried to find their friend in the water and continued their search on shore and called emergency services when he could not be located.

An extensive search involving local police, the Marine Area Command, Surf Life Saving NSW, Marine Rescue, Polair and the Toll Ambulance Rescue Helicopter scoured the area from North Curl Curl headland along the coastline to Bluefish Point and further out to sea.

Marine Rescue NSW's search pattern.

The man’s body was found on Sunday morning. Picture: Instagram

Marine officers continued to patrol the water overnight, while police scoured the beach.

A number of bystanders gathered on dunes around the beach to watch on as the search unfolded.

About 9.15 on Sunday morning, the teen’s body was recovered from the water off the beach.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Nippers was cancelled on Sunday as the beach remained closed for the search, with parents informed early in the morning.

“I am very sorry everyone but I have been notified the beach is closed this morning due to search and rescue operation to find a missing swimmer from last night,” parents were told.

“We will cancel Nippers this morning and avoid people coming to the beach.

“We will postpone the Iron event to next week.”