Volunteers from Marine Rescue Ballina negotiated large swells on the Ballina Bar yesterday to rescue a male foilboarder who was swept out to sea during the outgoing tide.
Marine Rescue NSW Inspector John Murray said NSW Police Marine Area Command tasked Marine Rescue Ballina with the mission just after 12pm yesterday (Sunday 13 April).
‘Because of the rough conditions on the bar, Marine Rescue NSW vessel Ballina 21 was deployed for the mission. Ballina 21 is a highly manoeuvrable rapid-response jet boat. With conditions against him, the foilboarder was unable to return to shore and was being swept further out to sea.
‘Within 10 minutes of getting on the water, the volunteer crew on board Ballina 21 located the foilboarder approximately one kilometre east of the north wall. Members from Surf Life Saving NSW arrived on the scene simultaneously in an IRB and retrieved the man from the water before transferring him to the Marine Rescue NSW jet boat.
‘The IRB requested the Marine Rescue NSW crew return the man to shore because conditions on the bar were too dangerous for their vessel.
‘The man was extremely lucky. The conditions were quite challenging, and the Marine Rescue NSW jet boat was the ideal vessel for the mission.
‘The foilboarder was taken on board Ballina 21 and returned to Shaws Bay. He was uninjured,’ said Inspector Murray.
Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer-based, not-for-profit professional organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe on the water and supporting local communities.
♦ Max the foil boarder from Ballina has contacted The Echo and said ‘I’d love to thank the amazing woman who called 000 and stayed with me from the shore. I’d be really happy to connect and say thanks, please reach out via The Echo!
‘While several things went sideways at once that day, it’s a solid reminder for all fellow watersport enthusiasts: sometimes it’s best to trust your gut over the froth,’ said Max.
‘Big shout-out to Stevo and his crew for the smooth ride and the rescue – cheers legends!’
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