Lifesaver races to kayak rescue

Surf Life Saving NSW activated an emergency call-out at 8am on the morning of 14 July after Emergency Services received a distress call from a kayak fisherman. 

The man, wearing his life jacket,  had entered calm water at Stanwell Park Beach for a short paddle, but westerly winds picked up and he was blown kilometres out to sea.

SLS Illawarra’s Support Ski One, operated by Coalcliff SLSC Life Member Damian Lloyd, was launched at Coalcliff with the help of Barry Allen and Ryan Thew from Coalcliff surf club, and Guy and Karl from Helensburgh-Stanwell Park SLSC.

Damian had a rough idea of the kayaker’s location off Coalcliff Beach, but it was pretty wild and choppy out there, with the wind whipping up the swell. He said trying to locate a green kayak in green sea “was like looking for a needle in a haystack”. 

The kayaker was in contact with Police and SLS radio “Surfcom”. However, it took some back and forth communication to finally locate him; the kayaker could hear the jet ski but not see it.  

Damian said “the escarpment looked very small when he was out at sea”. He had to hold the kayak alongside the jet ski and drive slowly into the swell and strong wind back to Coalcliff Beach.

The kayaker was very grateful to his rescuer and enjoyed a hot shower in the Coalcliff Boatshed.

Throughout the Illawarra, we have a highly trained dedicated group of life savers who operate the jet skis as part of an emergency call-out team. Support Ski One is based at Coalcliff SLSC.

The rescue was supported by NSW Police and NSW Ambulance, as well as Surf Life Saving NSW.

Save the dates

• 18 Nov Free CPR training thanks to the Dave Winner Foundation at Coledale RSL 6.30 to 8pm, register at davewinnerfoundation.org
• 22 Nov Coalcliff SLSC hosts the “New Great Swim of the South” – the 1.7km Dave Winner Beach to Bombie Swim, at Coalcliff Beach. Register at www.the-dave-winner-beach-to-bomie-swim.com