The quick actions of two junior lifeguards probably saved the life of a teenager who was sucked out in a rip at Dunedin's St Kilda Beach yesterday.
Surf Life Saving New Zealand Otago-Southland operations co-ordinator Max Corboy said two boys, who were believed to be brothers, aged 12 and 15, were sucked 100m out to sea about 1.20pm in a rip opposite the St Kilda Surf Life Saving Club.
Because it was autumn, there were no lifeguards on duty, but a pair of Bayfield High School pupils who were junior members of the club happened to be on the beach, Mr Corboy said.
Without the quick actions of the two lifeguards, who rescued the pair using paddle boards, the younger boy, who was under water when they reached him, could have died.
Neither boy was taken to hospital but the younger boy was monitored at the clubhouse after he was rescued.
At 4.45pm, the pair carried out another rescue after a 17-year-old male was dragged out in the same rip.
''He was yelling out help, so they went out and did a board rescue on him as well.''
Mr Corboy praised the actions of the two lifeguards and was keen to warn others of the risks of swimming on beaches after patrols had finished for the season.
''If you don't really know the water, it's probably advisable not go in there.''
