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.
