Surf Life Saver Adam Turner, along with Adrian Kors and Will Kors, have been recognised for their lifesaving efforts in a mass rescue at Austinmer Beach with a Group Bravery Citation from the Governor-General. Photo: Zoe Cartwright.
Surf Life Saver Adam Turner had just emerged from the water at Austinmer Beach at about 7 pm one January evening in 2021 when he saw something that made him pause.
Seven people stood on a shallow sandbar that must have seemed close to shore at low tide.
The tide had begun to turn, and the group were cut off from the beach.
“I saw a set of three waves come through; the first two hit them and knocked them north,” Adam said.
“Then the third one knocked them clean into the rip. All seven heads popped up and they were screaming for help.”
As Adam ran back towards the water, he saw another local, Adrian Kors, nearby and called for help.
The two men brought several of the group to safety on the rocks at the northern end of the beach while another fought their way back to shore.
The remaining two were swept out behind the rocks.
When Adam got to them, he thought it might be too late.
The veteran of about 100 beach rescues said he had never come so close to injury as he did desperately trying to keep hold of the two struggling visitors.
“Adrian’s son Will came flying off the rocks like Superman with a boogie board in his hands,” Adam said.
“To see him leap in like that was just magic.
“Between the two of us we got them onto the boogie board and managed to paddle them back in.”
In recognition of their heroic efforts the three men have been awarded a Group Bravery Citation from the Governor-General.
Adam said the greatest joy for him was to see Adrian’s and Will’s efforts recognised.
“They’re members of the community who without a moment of hesitation threw themselves in; it’s an honour to see them get that recognition,” Adam said.
In the three years since the incident Adam has been part of multiple mass rescues at the same beach, which is popular with tourists and young families.
He hopes the awards will help draw attention to the importance of swimming between the flags at a patrolled beach.
“It was a relatively benign evening,” he said.
“It was a nice day for a swim, which is why they were here.
“But once the flags go down at 6 pm, which is as late as we can patrol with volunteers, people just don’t get out of the water, and they get into trouble.
“Here and Stanwell Park have the equal highest hazard rating in the Illawarra, but people see it as this tranquil place to bring the family because it’s got the park, it’s got the shops and the pools.
“Everybody we pull out says the same thing – they can’t believe how powerful the surf is, and they can’t believe how quickly things can go wrong.
“Don’t swim after hours, don’t swim when it’s unpatrolled, only come and swim between the flags. People often think they’re much stronger in the water than they actually are – nobody can swim against a rip if tonnes of water are trying to carry you out.”
Adam said if you got caught in a rip – or saw someone who was – there were a few things you could do.
“If you get into trouble and you’re caught in a rip, don’t try to fight it, don’t try to swim against it.
“Float, put your hand up until someone sees you.
“If you see someone in trouble, unless you have some skills and some equipment don’t get in the water.
“That’s how we often end up with mass rescues – people jump in to help someone and then get in trouble themselves.
“Call triple zero and say there’s a rescue and identify the beach, or hit the button on the emergency beacon.”
Austinmer, Woonona, Bulli, Coniston, Corrimal, Hill 60, Lake Illawarra entrance, Puckeys, Sharkies, Shellharbour South, Kiama Blowhole, Kendalls and South Bombo beaches are all equipped with yellow emergency beacon poles.
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