Incredible way Aussie surfers survived 36hrs at sea after boat sank

The Aussie skipper who saved four surfers lost at sea has revealed what saved the group’s lives.

One of the rescuers who helped find the Aussie surfers lost at sea says their “smart thinking” after their boat sank in Indonesian waters ultimately saved their lives.

Elliot Foote, his girlfriend Steph Weisse and friends Will Teagle and Jordan Short were left to cling to their surfboards in open waters off Indonesia’s Sumatra Island after their wooden longboat ran into rough conditions on Sunday night.

The Aussie skipper leading the rescue boat, Grant Richardson told A Current Affair on Thursday tthe group made the clever decision to drink rainwater while they waited for help.

“They were smart enough to say ‘Guys, we need to keep drinking as much as we can, while it is raining’,”

“Anything that they could take water off, even off their hair. It is incredible.”

Steph Weisse, Elliot Foote, Will Teagle and Jordan Short were lost at sea after their boat capsized.

He said their decision to grab whatever supplies they could may have been the key to their survival.

“They grabbed surfboards, wetsuits, rash tops, they were smart thinkers,” Mr Richardson said.

“A lot of people in that situation don’t think on their feet. It could have been such a different outcome.”

All four of the missing Australians and two of the Indonesian boat crew were found 36 hours after they capsized.

Meanwhile one of their guides, Fifan, has not been found.

Grant Richardson has described the rescue of the four Australian surfers. ACA / Supplied

Despite his heroic actions, Mr Richardson said he was no hero.

“It has been an insane few days, we can’t even imagine what the guys went through, what they were thinking.

“I knew the currents, we had to bite the bullet and hope that the gut feeling was right.

“We couldn’t drop our guard, we weren’t going to turn around to come back until they had been found.”

The desperate search began when their boat that was travelling from the remote Banyak Island did not reach its final destination at Pinang Island.

Elliot Foote was covered in injuries after spending hours in the ocean. Picture: Instagram

The four surfers and the three Indonesian crewmen survived the rough weather on Sunday night.

A second boat carrying their friends had also been caught out in the heavy rain and took shelter on Saran Alu.

Elliot, who had paddled away from his friends in a bid to search for help, was found about 5km away from where his friends were hours later.

Elliot Foote and Steph Weisse were on a surfing holiday with friends when their boat capsized.

Mr Richardson said the three-hour wait before learning Elliot had been found after his friends was “heart wrenching”.

“I didn’t know Elliott, but now I do, the guy is a machine. If there was anyone out of that group who was going to make it to land, it was him,” he said.

“He put his all into it, listen to his story, it is chilling.”

Sadly, the search for the third crewmen, Fifan continues.

“My deepest thoughts are with the family of Fifan. Our joyful young guide who hasn’t been found,” Elliot said on social media on Thursday.

“I wish there was more we could have done to help you, and that will stay with me as a burden to bear,” Elliot said.

“I understand the loneliness you must’ve felt in those hours by yourself, and my condolences to your family.”