Just moments before, two swimmers were in the water in an area known as ‘The Flume’, east of where the flags are usually positioned closer to the clubhouse. There was nothing tremendously dramatic about the conditions, however one of the swimmers, Matthew*, soon found himself separated from his mate. A rip had started taking him out to sea, and there was nothing he could do about it.

During the summer just gone, 43% of all coastal drowning fatalities around Australia were related to rip currents. This demonstrates not just how important it is to swim between the flags at patrolled locations, but also how vital it is that all beachgoers learn how to identify rips.

We have the power to make a change. We have the ability to prevent these unnecessary losses by promoting water safety awareness, educating beachgoers about the risks of rip currents, advocating for proper supervision of children, promoting the use of life jackets, and encouraging responsible swimming practices. It's time for us to come together as a community, take action, and ensure that no more lives are lost to coastal drowning.

The harsh reality is that coastal drowning deaths are not just statistics. They represent sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, siblings, friends, and loved ones who have needlessly lost their lives to the unforgiving power of the ocean. The pain and suffering inflicted upon families and communities by these preventable tragedies are immeasurable and long-lasting. Seeing his friend in distress, Andre* started to make his way out to help. He managed to get to his mate, and steadied him as they bobbed up and down on the sand, still being guided at the mercy of the ocean.

It didn’t take long for the rip to take them out of their depth, and one powerful wave was enough for Andre and Matthew to become separated and in even greater danger.

The emotional toll of bystander drowning is immense. Bystander drownings are becoming an increasingly common occurrence on Australian beaches. Too often, we hear heart-wrenching stories of individuals who lose their lives while trying to help others in distress in the water. These tragic incidents not only result in the loss of one life but can sometimes claim multiple lives, leaving families shattered and communities devastated.

The courage and selflessness of bystanders who step in to help those in need in the water cannot be overstated. However, it is crucial to remember that water can be treacherous, and attempting to rescue someone without proper training and equipment can be extremely dangerous. Unfortunately, nearly one in every ten coastal drownings last summer was as a result of a well-intentioned bystander falling victim themselves while trying to assist others, and it is a sobering reminder of the risks involved.

It was when their friends noticed Andre, the stronger swimmer of the two,  in distress that the group on the beach alerted the Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club members to what was taking place.

The patrol tower quickly alerted Patrol 5 captain Jackson Fary to what was happening.

“The patrol tower spotted one person in trouble, and then his mate went out to try and drag him back in,” said Jackson. “While he was dragging him back in, he lost his footing from a wave and got sucked out.”

Having patrolled at Warrnambool since he was 15, it was a scenario the 30-year-old - who is also Director of Lifesaving at the club - was all too familiar with.

Near the beach are two well-known caravan parks. One is more popular with locals and near what is generally considered a safe area of the beach. The other caravan park - more popular with out-of-towners - is located closer to an area noted for flash rips. And while the red and yellow flags signify the safest area for swimming, many of those out-of-towners prefer convenience to safety and set up for the day close to the beachside tracks.

Matthew and Andre were from Melbourne, more than three hours out of town, and they were swimming in entirely the wrong spot.

As chance would have it, two young club members were already out beyond the break, paddling boards on a routine patrol of the flagged area. Through his years of experience, Jackson always encourages patrol members to spend time in the water when they’re on patrol, and on this occasion, it proved fortuitous.

“We didn’t even need to notify the boys in the water,” said Jackson. “They had the good surf sense to realise something wasn’t right and started paddling over.”

Wasting no time, heading furiously towards the distressed swimmers were Riley Shiels and Ben Kelly. Just 15 years old, both Riley and Ben had only obtained their bronze medallion - the core Award to become a surf lifesaver - only months before.

The gravity of the situation was palpable, and their senses were heightened as they navigated the currents. Jackson grabbed a rescue board as well, but Ben and Riley had a head start and it would be the youngsters who had the best chance of reaching the swimmers before it was too late.

By the time they reached the pair, Matthew was in extreme distress. He was exhausted, out of breath and on the brink of going under. The teenagers helped both Matthew and Andre onto their boards.

They were safe.

Jackson arrived on the scene a minute later and knew straight away they had made it just in time.

“By the time I got there one of the guys was pretty fatigued, and the other was pretty tired from holding his mate up,” said Jackson. “If it wasn’t for Riley and Ben getting there before I was able to, it could have been a lot worse.

“Those guys were just really lucky there were two young surf lifesavers who were strong paddlers in the water.”

Andre and Matthew experienced the true dangers of the ocean and can count themselves extremely lucky. They chose to swim outside the flags at a patrolled beach, and were unable to recognise the rip which was nearly catastrophic for them.

They now know firsthand the critical role that surf lifesavers play in preventing drowning deaths and ensuring the safety of beachgoers. The vigilance, training, and unwavering courage undertaken in the face of challenging conditions are truly admirable.

Without surf lifesavers like Jackson, Ben and Riley on patrol, the tragic list of coastal fatalities last summer may have even been higher. The heroic efforts are a true testament to the power of our community service, and I am immensely grateful for their contributions. Their selflessness and bravery are an inspiration to us all.

Every person rescued is a life saved.

Now their season of patrols has come to an end, the focus for Warrnambool SLSC and surf life saving clubs all around the country is preparing for next season. While the mercury drops and many focus on footy, dedicated club members are hard at work ensuring they are ready to keep the public safe when the flags go back up later this year.

“Even though we may not be patrolling all-year round, surf lifesaving clubs are still a 12-month operation,” said Jackson. “There’s just so much going on behind the scenes that people don’t see which goes into keeping our beaches safe.

“We need as much help as we can get.

“More funds raised means better resources, and a better level of service we are able to provide.”