Swim? Ewe must be joking. Sheep rescued by surfer

Surfer Phil Yeo paddled in and guided the ewe back to the shore.

A sheep on an escape bid had a lucky break after it took a wrong turn and headed into the sea at Makorori.

The runaway Romney ewe absconded from its paddock across the road at Makorori Station and made its way on to the beach.

It headed into the sea in an effort to avoid people and dogs.

From the carpark, Jane Putnam and others enjoyed the spectacle as the sheep waded into deeper water and appeared to be heading off to join the surfers.

There was a happy ending. Phil Yeo paddled in and guided her back to the shore to be met shortly after by farmer Richard Busby, who took his errant sheep home.

"I've heard of cattle heading out to sea before but never a sheep," Mr Busby said.

"She was fine afterwards. When we got her back into the yards she disappeared up the hill quite happily."

Mr Busby said he appreciated the surfer's help with the wayward animal.

- Gisborne Herald