WEST COAST – A 13-year-old swimmer and four people who went to his aid were safely rescued after being caught in strong currents off Strandfontein on Saturday afternoon (1 August).

The NSRI Lamberts Bay rescue crew was conducting training exercises near Doring Bay when they received an alert from NSRI Strandfontein duty controllers about a swimmer in distress offshore of Strandfontein.

The crew immediately diverted the Spirit of Agulhas to assist.

An adult man with a surfboard, believed to know the teenager, had paddled out to help him. Nearby, NSRI Strandfontein trainee lifeguards and a lifeguard instructor who were conducting training also entered the water to assist.

However, before reaching the teenager, the rescuers themselves were caught in powerful sea currents.

The teenager eventually reached the shoreline and got out of the water safely on his own.

The adult man, two trainee lifeguards and the NSRI lifeguard remained stranded offshore, using torpedo rescue buoys and the surfboard to stay afloat while waiting for assistance.

When the Spirit of Agulhas arrived, NSRI rescue swimmers entered the water and, working in relays near the rocky shoreline, safely brought all four people aboard the rescue craft.

They were transported back to shore, where the man was reunited with the teenager. No injuries were reported, and no further medical assistance was needed.

NSRI praised the efforts of everyone involved, including the bystander and lifeguards who acted quickly to assist the teenager.

The organisation reminded beachgoers to be cautious when entering the water, especially in areas where strong currents can quickly place swimmers and rescuers in danger.

• Strandfontein is situated just north of Doringbaai and south of the Olifants River mouth on the West Coast.