Life-saving heroes win award for club

ALL IN A DAY'S WORK: Riversdale lifeguards Caitlyn Duffy (left), Mac Hepburn and Guy Ritani, who saved a jetskier in high winds on January 5, earning their club a regional award. PHOTO/ELLIOT PARKER

The rescue of a jetskier at Riversdale Beach in January has earned Riversdale Surf Life Saving Club a regional surf lifesaving award.

The jetskier, who had ventured out into the surf in extreme winds, fell off and became separated from his jetski on January 5.

Riversdale lifeguards had warned the man and a friend that they should not go too far out because of the bad weather.

Lifeguard Guy Ritani approached the pair, warning them that they would be putting the lifeguards in danger if they had to go out and rescue them, as the wind could tip the Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB).

He closely watched the pair, who were taking turns riding the jetski, and he soon saw the jetski alone in the water. It was around 600 metres offshore and even through binoculars the rider was nowhere to be seen.

Guy radioed for help and lifeguards Caitlyn Duffy and Mackenzie Hepburn responded in the IRB.

They began a search and found the man 150m away from his jetski. He was wearing a lifejacket and was waving frantically, but was still hard to spot in the choppy seas.

He had been trying to swim to the jetski but it continued to be blown further away from him. Caitlyn and Mackenzie rescued him and returned the exhausted man back to shore.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand chairman Geoff Hamilton said the extraordinary efforts shown by the lifeguards was outstanding. "Admiration of the skill and professionalism shown by those involved in the incident is testament to qualities valued by Surf Life Saving New Zealand and BP," he said.

With the offshore winds making it almost impossible for the jetskier to get back by himself, the outcome could have been serious for him had the lifeguards not been there.

The club also receives a $100 fuel voucher from BP to help with the financial costs of keeping communities safe in the water.