Sydney beaches have been especially treacherous this week. On Saturday, four people were rescued from a strong rip current at Bronte Beach. The following day, dozens of tourists were caught in a flash rip at Maroubra. Luckily for the Maroubra tourists, the incident occurred right next to a group of Ironman and Ironwomen competitors who jumped in to save them.
Around 4:00 p.m., 25 Maroubra tourists were caught in a flash rip and dragged out to sea. However, the country’s top lifesavers happened to be right next door, wrapping up the Nutri-Grain Ironman and Ironwoman Series. Eight of the athletes, including Ironwoman winner Lana Rogers, spotted the struggling tourists and jumped in to save them.
“We just heard ‘massive rescue’ and lucky all of us were here still,” said Rogers to 9 News Australia.
“They reacted as lifesavers do, when the call goes out, we go into action,” said inflatable rescue boat co-ordinator Rony Carle. A mass-rescue ensued, with the competitors successfully retrieving the struggling tourists. No serious injuries have been reported.
