A boardrider swept out to sea in huge swell off Werri Beach on Saturday was pulled to safety by Gerringong surf lifesavers in a tense rescue that played out between towering waves, fast decisions and steady radio support from shore.

The beach had been closed due to dangerous conditions, with waves topping three metres.

But just after 9.30am, word came through that a board rider had been spotted in trouble south of the headland – far beyond the break and drifting.

“We were sitting at the kiosk having a coffee,” said long-time Gerringong SLSC member Mark Booth. “A club member rang – someone on the headland had seen a board rider drifting south, holding up his arm.”

Booth and club captain Simon Sadler launched the inflatable rescue boat (IRB) and began picking their moment.

“It was a real game of cat and mouse,” Booth said. “You’ve got to find a little lull – a gap between sets – and make your move. It was rough out there.”

Even once clear of the surf zone, the conditions made it hard to locate the man. “He was nearly 800 metres out, almost off Boat Harbour. We honestly didn’t expect him to be that far. We were zigzagging, looking, trying to spot him in the swell.”

A patrol drone operator eventually located the board rider and guided the IRB team in. “He’d cramped up, but what really stood out was how calm he was,” Booth added.

“He’d made the smart decision to stay on his board, stay visible, and wait. That made all the difference. Panic can be dangerous – but he kept a clear head the whole time.”

They fitted him with a life jacket, pulled his board into the IRB, and timed their return perfectly between two big swells. “We just ran it in – it was clean, thankfully. But it could have gone the other way.”

The boardrider didn’t require medical help but was clearly relieved.

The beach remained closed all day. Patrol members stayed on duty, with large crowds continuing to gather despite warnings. 

The rescue has also brought renewed attention to wider safety concerns. 

“We’ve had a huge demographic shift in people on our beaches,” Booth said. “Big groups coming down from Western Sydney – many with no background in ocean swimming.

"They want to enjoy this coastline, and they should. But they need the tools and the education to stay safe.”

Booth, who has patrolled Werri since 1978, sees prevention as the heart of the work. “Most of what we do is quiet. It's guiding people back in before something happens. The rescues make the headlines – but the goal is to make sure they’re rare.”