A 13-year-old in Western Australia swam about four hours (roughly 2.5 miles) to shore after his family was swept out to sea near Quindalup on Jan. 30. The teen alerted rescuers and provided identifying details that helped teams locate a 47-year-old mother and two children (12 and 8) clinging to a paddleboard. A multi-agency search recovered them by about 8:30 p.m.; all were taken for medical assessment. Authorities credited lifejackets and praised the boy and mother for their courage.
13-Year-Old Swims About Four Hours to Shore to Raise Alarm After Family Swept Out to Sea in Western Australia
Cape Naturaliste at the edge of Geographe Bay in Western Australia.Getty
A 13-year-old boy in Western Australia swam for roughly four hours to reach land and alert rescuers after his mother and two younger siblings were swept out to sea near Quindalup on the evening of Jan. 30.
The family had been kayaking and paddleboarding in Geographe Bay when strong conditions pulled them away from shore. The teenager first tried to paddle back, but his kayak took on water. With daylight fading and no other options, he swam approximately 2.5 miles (about four hours in total) to reach shore.
Paul Bresland, commander of Naturaliste Volunteer Marine Rescue, described the effort as 'superhuman,' saying the boy swam the first two hours with a lifejacket and then removed it and swam the remaining two hours without one.
Once ashore, the teen provided rescuers with key details, including the colours of the family’s paddleboards and kayak, which helped search teams narrow their search. Within about an hour, searchers located the missing group.
Busselton Jetty in Geographe Bay, Western Australia.Getty
By around 8:30 p.m., a rescue helicopter found a 47-year-old woman and two children, ages 12 and 8, clinging to a paddleboard. The trio — who had spent hours treading water — were transferred to a rescue vessel and brought to safety. Authorities later transported them to a medical centre for assessment.
Praise for Courage and Team Response
Inspector James Bradley of the South West District Office praised the boy's 'determination and courage' and warned that ocean conditions can change rapidly. Officials credited lifejackets with contributing significantly to the mother and children’s survival.
Bresland also commended the mother for keeping her children together in difficult conditions, calling her actions heroic. Naturaliste Volunteer Marine Rescue and the Western Australia Police Force lauded the coordinated multi-agency response that led to the family's safe recovery.
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